The Water Supply
Regulations 2009
(WA-708)
The
Water Supply
Regulations 2009
Regulation and Supervision Bureau
for
the Water, Wastewater and Electricity Sector
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Issued by:
The Regulation and Supervision Bureau
for the water, wastewater and electricity sector P.O. Box: 32800 Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi e-mail: bureau@[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
January 2009
Foreword
1.2.2 Adequate Network Pressure – the water pressure not The Regulation and Supervision Bureau (the Bureau) is established
1 less than 1.25bar (12.5 metre head) at the Distribution in Abu Dhabi law to oversee the economic and technical activities
Company supply pipe to the Premises and has sufficient of electricity and water companies that are licensed to operate in the
pressure to deliver water directly to the Roof Tanks of low-
Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
rise buildings not higher than 10 metres from the service
connection pipe invert level (or thereabouts).
In addition to its duties over licensed companies, the Bureau has certain
1.2.3 Bureau – the Regulation and Supervision Bureau for the responsibilities towards the general public, including the assurance of
Water, Wastewater and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of safe and efficient water supplies to customers and these Regulations
Abu Dhabi, established under Law. have been produced with this primary aim in mind.
1.2.4 Customer – the Person to whom the Distribution Company
supplies water for domestic, industrial, agricultural and The new Regulations supersede the Water Supply Regulations 2003
commercial purposes. and are effective from 1 February 2009. They may be cited as the Water
Supply Regulations 2009 referred to hereafter as the Regulations.
1.2.5 Distribution Company – a company or body holding a
Licence from the Bureau, pursuant to the Law. The Regulations are intended to ensure that all connection arrangements
Regulation and Supervision Bureau
1.2.6 Distribution System – means the system consisting to customer’s premises are safe and fit for their intended purpose. They
(wholly or mainly) of water pipes owned or operated by are applicable to connection fittings between a licensed distribution
a licensee and used for the distribution of Wholesome company and a customer’s premises and also include water supplies
Water to the point of delivery to Premises or Customers provided to customers by water tankers. They have been produced
and includes any plant and equipment, including metering following extensive consultation with a wide range of interested
equipment, owned or operated by the licensee in connection parties.
with the distribution of water.
1.2.7 Good Industry Practice – means the exercise of that They are also available in Arabic, but the reader should note they were
degree of skill, prudence and foresight which would first written in English. They may also be downloaded from the Bureau’s
reasonably and ordinarily be expected from a skilled and website at [Link].
experienced person engaged in the same type of undertaking
under the same or similar circumstances.
1.2.8 Ground Storage Tank – means the receiving tank after
the point of delivery to the Customer from the Distribution
System for storing water for subsequent use, and which does Nicholas Carter
not include a cistern. Director General
1.2.9 Guide – means the guide to the Water Supply Regulations
2009 issued by the Bureau, and as amended, substituted or
supplemented by the Bureau from time to time.
1.2.10 Law – means Law No (2) of 1998 (as amended by Law
No (19) of 2007) Concerning the Regulation of the Water
and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and
Law No (17) of 2005 (as amended by Law No (18) of 2007)
8 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 3
List of revisions Table of contents
Foreword 3
Revision Date Prepared Checked Issued to:
List of revisions 4
Number by: by:
The Water Supply Regulations 6
ER/P04/003
Dec 2003 JS LH Publication
Revision 1 1. Introduction 7
ER/P04/003
Dec 2008 JS CH Publication 1.1 Citation and Commencement 7
Revision 2
1.2 Interpretation 7
1.3 Application of Regulations 10
2. Requirements 11
2.1 Demand Management 11
2.2 Restriction on Installation, Connection,
Modification and Use of Water Fittings 11
2.3 Requirements for Water Fittings 11
2.4 Application for new connection 12
2.5 Security of supply 12
2.6 Quality of supply 13
2.7 Environmental conditions 13
2.8 Leakage 14
2.9 Customer storage tanks 14
2.10 Water Tankering 16
3. General Principles 17
3.1 Notification 17
3.2 Inspections, Measurements and Tests 17
3.3 Enforcement 17
3.4 Relaxation of Requirements 18
3.5 Approval by the Bureau of New
Specifications for Water Fitting 18
3.6 Compliance 18
3.7 Charges 19
3.8 Disputes 19
4 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 5
The Water Supply Regulations Introduction 1
The Regulation and Supervision Bureau hereby makes these Regulations 1.1 Citation and commencement
in accordance with Articles (62) and (63)(8) of Law No (2) of 1998 (as
amended by Law No (19) of 2007) Concerning the Regulation of the 1.1.1 These Regulations may be cited as The Water Supply
Water and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Regulations 2009.
1.1.2 The new Regulations supersede the Water Supply
Regulations 2003 and are effective from 1 February 2009.
They may be cited as the Water Supply Regulations 2009
referred to hereafter as the Regulations.
1.1.3 These Regulations are intended to ensure that all
Note: Document numbering connection arrangements including Water Fittings used
These Regulations use the following numbering system: for the connection of a water supply to Customers, which
Parts: are referred by integers (e.g. 1,2,…) includes a water supply provided to Customers by Water
Tanker, are safe and fit for their intended purpose.
Regulations: are referred by one full stop between numbers
(e.g. 1.1,1.2,….) 1.1.4 All Water Fittings must be installed, connected or
Clauses: are referred by tow full stops between numbers. disconnected, in a manner consistent with Good Industry
(e.g. 2.2.1, 2.3.1) Practice and as may also be prescribed by the manufacturer
and/or the Distribution Company from time to time, and
shall be of an approved quality and standard fit for their
intended purpose.
1.2 Interpretation
Words which are defined under this section are used in the
Regulations beginning with capital letters. For example, “installed
Water Fittings …”.
Terms in common use are not defined here and normal dictionary
definitions apply (e.g. valve, device) .
Words expressions other than those described in this section, which
are defined in the Law, shall have the meanings ascribed to them
in the Law.
Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural
or singular number, respectively.
1.2.1 ADWEA – Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority,
established under Law No (2).
6 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 7
1ntroduction
1.2.2 Adequate Network Pressure – the water pressure not and Law No (12) of 2008 concerning the Regulation of
1 less than 1.25bar (12.5 metre head) at the Distribution the Wastewater Sector (and as otherwise amended from 1
Company supply pipe to the Premises and has sufficient time to time).
pressure to deliver water directly to the Roof Tanks of low-
rise buildings not higher than 10 metres from the service 1.2.11 Licence – means a licence authorising the conduct of a
connection pipe invert level (or thereabouts). distribution and supply business as described in Article (94)
of Law No (2).
1.2.3 Bureau – the Regulation and Supervision Bureau for the
Water, Wastewater and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of 1.2.12 Person – means any body corporate, partnership, person
Abu Dhabi, established under Law. or other entity having independent legal personality.
1.2.4 Customer – the Person to whom the Distribution Company 1.2.13 Premises – means a tract or plot of land and includes the
supplies water for domestic, industrial, agricultural and buildings and any appurtenances on the land. A Premises
commercial purposes. may contain more than one property or dwelling and more
than one Customer.
1.2.5 Distribution Company – a company or body holding a
Licence from the Bureau, pursuant to the Law. 1.2.14 Point of Delivery – means the physical connection point
at which the water leaves the Distribution System and enters
1.2.6 Distribution System – means the system consisting the Customer Water Fittings.
(wholly or mainly) of water pipes owned or operated by
a licensee and used for the distribution of Wholesome 1.2.15 Responsible Person – means the person who assumes
Water to the point of delivery to Premises or Customers actual responsibility for the installation or the ownership of
and includes any plant and equipment, including metering the Water Fitting.
equipment, owned or operated by the licensee in connection
with the distribution of water. 1.2.16 Roof Tank – means a fixed container, cistern, or break
tank located on the roof of a building for the purpose of
1.2.7 Good Industry Practice – means the exercise of that holding or storing water at atmospheric pressure and which
degree of skill, prudence and foresight which would does include a Ground Storage Tank.
reasonably and ordinarily be expected from a skilled and
experienced person engaged in the same type of undertaking 1.2.17 Suction Pump – means a pump installed to draw water
under the same or similar circumstances. directly from the Distribution Company’s water network.
1.2.8 Ground Storage Tank – means the receiving tank after 1.2.18 Water Fitting – means pipes, pipe fittings, joints, and
the point of delivery to the Customer from the Distribution valves, back prevention devices including the Customer’s
System for storing water for subsequent use, and which does Ground Storage Tank or Roof Tank. Without limiting the
not include a cistern. foregoing, Water Fitting shall include a pump, meter or any
other relevant fittings required to facilitate the connection
1.2.9 Guide – means the guide to the Water Supply Regulations arrangement to the Customer.
2009 issued by the Bureau, and as amended, substituted or
supplemented by the Bureau from time to time. 1.2.19 Water Quality Regulations – means the Water Quality
Regulations issued by the Bureau under Article (62) of Law
1.2.10 Law – means Law No (2) of 1998 (as amended by Law No (2).
No (19) of 2007) Concerning the Regulation of the Water
and Electricity Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and 1.2.20 Wholesome Water – means water that is in compliance
Law No (17) of 2005 (as amended by Law No (18) of 2007) with the Water Quality Regulations.
8 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 9
Requirements 2
1.2.21 Water Tanker – means a road vehicle licensed by the Abu 2.1 Demand management
1 Dhabi Police Traffic and Licensing Department following
certification of the tanker by the Distribution Company 2.1.1 The Distribution Company shall, in accordance with Law
for the purposes of distributing and supplying Wholesome No(2) and these Regulations:
Water sourced from designated water filling stations which
are owned, operated and controlled by the Distribution (a) Promote the conservation and the efficient use of
Companies. water; and
(b) Prevent the waste and over-consumption of water
1.3 Application of Regulations after it has left the pipelines of its Distribution System
and supplied to Premises.
1.3.1 Subject to Clause 1.3.2, these Regulations specify the
obligations of the Distribution Company, the Customer 2.1.2 Customers shall therefore comply with all policies and
and the Responsible Person in respect of any Water Fitting guidelines, the purpose of which is to promote and prevent
through which potable water is supplied to the Customer waste and over-consumption of water, as issued by the
by the Distribution Company for domestic, industrial, Distribution Companies from time to time.
agricultural or commercial purposes.
1.3.2 Nothing in these Regulations shall permit:- 2.2 Restriction on installation, connection,
(a) rain water, recycled water, well water or any other
modification and use of Water Fittings
water not supplied by the Distribution Company; or
2.2.1 No Water Fitting shall be installed, connected, modified or
(b) any fluid that is not Wholesome Water, to be discharged used by the Customer which by reason of being damaged,
into the Water Fitting or into the Distribution System worn or otherwise faulty, causes or is reasonably likely to
of the Distribution Company. cause:-
1.3.3 A Customer shall not modify or disconnect the installed (a) Waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination
Water Fittings without first obtaining the Distribution of water supplied by the Distribution Company; or
Company’s approval.
(b) The erroneous measurement of water supplied by
1.3.4 Except for Clause 2.2.1, these Regulations shall not apply the Distribution Company.
to a Water Fitting which has been lawfully installed and
used for the period up to 30 September 2003.
2.3 Requirements for Water Fittings
1.3.5 Temporary supply arrangements may be provided, where
possible, subject to all due consideration being taken to 2.3.1 The Responsible Person shall ensure that the Water Fitting
ensure proper Water Fittings are installed, including a either:-
backflow prevention device.
(a) Conforms to the specifications and the standards
identified in the Guide; or
(b) Conforms to a specific specification or a standard
approved in writing by the Bureau.
10 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 11
Requirements
2.3.2 The Responsible Person shall ensure that every Water may be supplied with water on a temporary basis by means
Fitting is safe and fit for its intended purpose. of Water Tanker.
2.3.3 The Responsible Person shall ensure that the Water Fitting 2.5.2 The Distribution Company shall ensure that under normal
shall be installed in accordance with a method of installation operating conditions water is supplied at reasonable demand
approved in writing by the Distribution Company or as with minimum pressure of 1.25bar (12.5metres) measured
2 prescribed by the manufacturer. at the main supply pipe to the Customer. The Distribution
2
Company shall also ensure that Customers connected
2.3.4 The Responsible Person or the Customer shall not directly to high pressure Distribution System 6.0bar and
incorporate a Suction Pump into any Water Fitting above should allow for pressure reducing valve to be installed
without having obtained the prior written approval of the preventing any possible damage of the Water Fittings.
Distribution Company.
2.5.3 The Distribution Company shall carry out a full assessment
2.3.5 The Responsible Person shall install and maintain a float to determine the type and size of water supply connection
operated valve or such other fitting or device as shall be to Premises. In case of long service connections, the
required to control the flow of water into the Customer’s Distribution Company must be satisfied that such
Ground Storage Tank or Roof Tank in order to prevent the connections are of the correct size to meet the Customer’s
overflow of water therefrom. demand without causing any operational or technical risk
to the Distribution System, in relation to pressure or flow.
2.3.6 The Distribution Company shall ensure that all service Otherwise a temporary supply to the Customer may be
connections to the Customer’s Ground Storage Tank or considered.
Roof Tank are fitted with a float operated valve or such
other fitting or device required to control the flow, in
addition to an appropriate backflow prevention system. 2.6 Quality of supply
2.6.1 The Distribution Company shall be responsible for ensuring
2.4 Application for new connection that the water quality exiting its Distribution System is
Wholesome Water and complies with the Water Quality
2.4.1 The Responsible Person requiring a new water supply Regulations.
connection shall make an application in a form prescribed
by the Distribution Company. Supporting documents 2.6.2 The Responsible Person shall ensure that regular inspections
are required to be provided by the Responsible Person in are carried out of the Water Fittings including Ground
accordance with the Distribution Company requirements in Storage Tanks and Roof Tanks and, when necessary,
order to ensure that the application for a new connection is undertake cleaning of these tanks according to the
able to be fully and properly considered by the Distribution procedures set out in the Guide, to ensure water does not
Company. become contaminated after it enters the Customer’s Water
Fittings.
2.5 Security of supply
2.7 Environmental conditions
2.5.1 The Distribution Company shall ensure a piped water
supply to all Customer Premises in the Emirate of Abu 2.7.1 All field installations shall be suitable for the prevailing
Dhabi. However, under certain circumstances Customers climatic conditions of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
12 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 13
Requirements
2.8 Leakage of Abu Dhabi as a result of network supply and pressure
improvements. Therefore, the provision of Ground Storage
2.8.1 The Responsible Person shall ensure that immediate steps Tanks to low-rise buildings should be made after taking the
are taken to repair any water leakage that occurs from the following into consideration:
Customer’s Water Fittings. Such leakage generally occurs
after the Point of Delivery to the Customer at either the (a) Adequate network pressure
2 main service valve or the water metering point.
2
Ground Storage Tanks shall not be considered in the
following cases:
2.8.2 Where multiple customers are supplied from a common
service connection i.e. residential, commercial and (i) New low-rise buildings. The Distribution
industrial Premises or mixed use Premises, the Responsible Company will confirm the Distribution System
Person shall ensure that regular inspection for leakage is pressures and supply conditions that apply to the
conducted, particularly within that part of the Customer’s location of the proposed construction. Ground
Water Fittings system between the Point of Delivery to Storage Tanks will not be considered if Adequate
the Premises and the Customer’s internal meters/isolating Network Pressure and supply conditions are
valves, which includes (but is not limited to) the Ground available. The Responsible Person must consult
Storage Tank and Roof Tank. and obtain prior approval from the Distribution
Company before considering the provision of
2.8.3 The Responsible Person shall co-ordinate any repair Ground Storage Tanks.
works for leakage with the Distribution Company where
such repair work is expected to have an impact on the (ii) Existing low rise buildings. Ground Storage
Distribution System, particularly where isolation of any Tanks may be by-passed upon approval by the
part of the Distribution System is required. Distribution Company. In areas where adequate
network pressure and supply conditions exist,
2.8.4 Where constant leakage on the Customer’s Water Fittings the Distribution Company shall notify the
is detected, the Distribution Company shall notify the Responsible Person should he or she wish to
Responsible Person to repair the leak immediately. If such consider modifying the connection.
leakage is not repaired within twenty-four (24) hours from
the time the Responsible Person is notified, the Distribution 2.9.3 The benefits provided by the new supply arrangements
Company may carry out any necessary steps to repair such should be conveyed to all customers and the Distribution
leakage in accordance with Guide, policies and procedures Company must offer all possible assistance to facilitate a
developed by the Distribution Company and approved by change of connection at the Customer’s Premises.
the Bureau.
2.9.4 Where Clauses 2.9.2 (a)(i) and (ii) apply, Roof Tanks must
2.9 Customer storage tanks be provided. Sizing of Roof Tanks shall be according to the
Guide’s Roof Tank sizing criteria.
2.9.1 In high-rise buildings, Ground Storage Tanks and Roof
Tanks must be considered in accordance with these tanks’ 2.9.5 In low-rise single metered Premises which include (but is
storage capacity criteria as set out in the Guide and/or as not limited to) villas and government housing known as
directed by the Distribution Company. Shabiat, a direct dedicated connection to the kitchen from
the supply pipe to the Roof Tank shall be considered by the
2.9.2 For low-rise buildings direct supply of potable water to Distribution Company.
Roof Tanks is achievable in many parts of the Emirate
14 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 15
General Principles 3
(b) Inadequate network pressure 3.1 Notification
2.9.6 In circumstances where direct supply to low-rise buildings 3.1.1 Any Responsible Person who proposes to install a Water
Roof Tanks cannot be guaranteed due to inadequate Fitting shall comply with the procedure of connection
network pressure, insufficient flow or intermittent supply, identified in Annex A of the Guide which includes the
2 Ground Storage Tanks shall be considered by the provision of all the information and documentation required
Distribution Company. A by-pass connection arrangement to establish a connection or as required by the Distribution
to the Ground Storage Tank complete with isolation valves Company.
shall also be included. The by-pass arrangements can be
utilised once the pressure and the supply conditions become
adequate. The size of the Ground Storage Tank and Roof 3.2 Inspections, measurements and tests
Tank shall be determined in accordance with the tank
storage capacity criteria as set out in the Guide. 3.2.1 In order for the Distribution Company to carry out its
obligations under these Regulations it shall (amongst other
things) carry out such inspections, measurements and tests
2.10 Water Tankering on Water Fittings located on Premises.
2.10.1 Water Tanker owners and operators distributing and 3.2.2 For the purposes of Clause 3.2.1, inspections shall be
supplying Wholesome Water for the purposes of drinking, carried out by any Person appointed or authorised by the
washing and cooking are required to have their tankers Distribution Company or the Bureau
certified by the Distribution Company in accordance with
testing qualification procedures that comply with the Water 3.2.3 In carrying out these inspections, the appointed or authorised
Quality Regulations and any other relevant procedures Person may remove from the Premises such samples of
adopted by the Distribution Company to ensure Wholesome water, land and Water Fittings considered necessary for
Water is delivered water to Customers. the purposes of establishing whether or not a Customer or
Responsible Person is compliant with these Regulations.
2.10.2 All Water Tankers certified by the Distribution Company
must have appropriate signage stating “Drinking Water”
which is clearly visible on the external body of the Water 3.3 Enforcement
Tanker in both the Arabic and English languages, along
with an appropriate pictorial symbol clearly indicating that 3.3.1 Each Distribution Company shall enforce the requirements
the water is Wholesome Water. of these Regulations in relation to the regulated activities
for which it holds a licence under the Law.
2.10.3 The Distribution Company shall also display its seal on
the external body of the Water Tanker together with its 3.3.2 Failure to comply with these Regulations shall be as contrary
certification issue date, certificate unique number and the to the Law and subject to punishment by the imposition of
tanker registration details. a fine. Any such failures will be addressed in accordance
with Articles 65(5) and Article (66) of Law No (2). Action
may be taken again any Distribution Company, Customer
or Responsible Person.
3.3.3 These Regulations are subject to amendment by the Bureau
from time to time.
16 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 17
3.4 Relaxation of requirements 3.7 Charges
General Principles
3.4.1 The Distribution Company may, upon a written application 3.7.1 The fees for the installation, repair, connection and
of a Responsible Person and after due consideration, disconnection of Water Fittings to be charged by the
authorise a relaxation of the Regulations, subject to such Distribution Company shall be determined in accordance
limitations as the Distribution Company or the Bureau may with those approved by the Bureau pursuant to the relevant
determine. condition of the Distribution Company’s Licence.
3.4.2 Where a Responsible Person reasonably considers that it
would be inappropriate for any particular requirement 3.8 Disputes
3 of these Regulations to be enforced in relation to a Water 3
Fitting, the Responsible Person may request the Distribution 3.8.1 Any dispute between the Distribution Company and
Company to consider relaxing such requirements, excluding the Responsible Person in relation to the exercise of the
Regulations 2.2 and Clause 2.3.5 which shall be met at all Distribution Company’s powers under these Regulations
times. may be referred to the Bureau to advise on a solution and
recommended action.
3.5 Approval by the Bureau of new specifications 3.8.2 In accordance with the Law, the court with the appropriate
for Water Fittings jurisdiction in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi shall also hear
disputes relating to these Regulations.
3.5.1 Before approving a specification or standard under Clause
2.3.1(b), the Bureau shall consult:-
(a) All Distribution Companies;
(b) Such trade associations and government authorities
as it considers appropriate; and
(c) Such organisations appearing to it to be concerned
with the interests of water users as it considers
appropriate.
3.5.2 Where the Bureau approves a standard or specification
under Clause 2.3.1(b) it shall give notice of the approval
to all persons who were consulted under Clause 3.5.1 and
shall publish it in such manner as it considers appropriate.
3.6 Compliance
3.6.1 Compliance with these Regulations shall be assessed in
accordance with the Law and the relevant provisions of the
Guide.
18 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 The Water Supply Regulations 2009 19
Regulation and Supervision Bureau
for
the Water, Wastewater and Electricity Sector
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
P.O. Box: 32800 Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
e-mail: bureau@[Link]
[Link]
