Accreditation
If a development requires a new water main or sewer, the developer may ask the water or sewerage company to install the pipework. Alternatively, they may choose their own contractor to do the work, which is known as self-lay.
Before a self-lay organisation can carry out work, they must be approved by the relevant water company. Self-lay organisations can avoid having to comply with the 22 separate water companies’ requirements by becoming accredited under the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS) which is recognised by all the water companies and Water UK.
Under WIRS, Lloyd’s Register carries out technical assessments of the service providers who elect to be accredited for contestable works associated with installing water infrastructure.
Areas covered by WIRS include:
- design
- construction
- connections
- commissioning
- project management
Lloyd’s Register offers an independent assessment and registration process that includes assessing the self lay organisation’s management procedures and processes. Lloyd’s Register maintains a current list of WIRS-accredited self-lay organisations.
WIRS plays an important part in supporting and expanding the self-lay market, as it promotes and ensures compliance with the highest standards of water infrastructure installation and the essential protection and maintenance of water quality.
The Water Industry Registration Scheme Advisory Panel (WIRSAP) manages the scheme, its members include representatives from water companies and self-lay organisations. We are also a member of this panel.
