Welsh Water becomes WaterRegsUK recognised training centre

The training course - which is aimed at developers - is part of Welsh Water’s strategy to improve the overall customer experience with the new connections process and to increase the number of approved contractors that work within their service area.

The course provides successful candidates with the qualification they need to join WIAPS – the Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme – and WaterSafe. Both national Approved Contractor schemes are supported and recommended by Welsh Water. Some of the main benefits candidates can receive by joining these schemes are:

1. Self-certification of supply pipe installations and trench inspections – improving the customer experience with quicker turnaround times for new connections.
2. Improved site safety – self-certification means trenches can be backfilled which can reduce the risks of trips, slips and falls on sites.

The first three initial sessions of this course has seen 21 delegates completing the course. Candidates included those from national home builders to local housing associations and independent installers. 76% of candidates have so far become approved contractors by joining the WIAPS.

Welsh Water are looking to continue running these training sessions and developers can express their interest in attending a session by filling out this form here.

Rhidian Clement, Head of Service Delivery at Welsh Water said: “Working closely with the Water Regulations Team at Welsh Water, we’ve been able to create the course which is aimed at those who are installing and managing the supply pipe installations for new developments.

We often come across a number of issues with supply pipe installations for new builds which often causes delays for both the developer and Welsh Water. This course aims to address that problem by providing the supply pipe installers with the knowledge of the Regulations, as well as providing them with the qualification that they can use to join the Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme (WIAPS).

I’m really pleased to see a number of our developer customers completing the course and being formally accredited through the WIAPS scheme”

Jon Bond, Contracts Manager at Williams Homes, said: “'Having put a number of our operatives through the WIAPS Approved Groundworker Training Process, we benefit on a number of fronts.

We are able to back fill the plot supply trench quicker and avoid the 10 day inspection period by the water authority applicable to the area. This allows teams to progress with other elements of work and reduces the need for fencing off of the trench for the duration of the inspection period, removing the safety issues associated, which ultimately benefits the project programme and health and safety for all.”