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The charity making life better by water

Water points

Our canals and rivers are lined with thousands of water points. These supply a constant stream of clean and fresh water to boaters.

How to find water points with our maps

To find details such as water points, rubbish bin sites and other boaters' facilities, on our main waterways maps you need to zoom on the map until you see the icons. You'll need to zoom in fully to see all the details. Click the red 'i' icon in the bottom right hand corner to expand the key.

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While the vast majority of them are plumbed into the mains supply we do own several bowsers (big tanks) around the country in more rural locations where we can't access mains water. These need filling on a regular basis.

These water points also need servicing. We're also currently undergoing a programme to standardise the water points on our network and installing new vandal free taps, which will cut down on the cost of maintenance.

All Trust Water Points are protected according to the Water Supply [Water Fittings] Regulations 1999 and other Regulations including the Industry Best Practice Document regarding water quality. Each water point is risk assessed to determine its suitability under the Regulations and the Trust is responsible up to the tap outlet.

Unless faecal matter was spread on and in the tap outlet, there is no possibility of the water supply being contaminated. The Trust also advises boaters who use hoses to fill on board tanks should be of food grade quality, do not sit in puddles or through contaminated ground and at no time make contact with canal or river water. After use they are emptied the hose is kept in sealed container to prevent cross contamination, not used for any other purpose, and at no point can hoses be used as a permanent connection to a boat.

It must be remembered that the Trust takes no responsibility for boater's hoses, and it is their responsibility that they follow Trust Guidelines when filling their on-board tanks.

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Last Edited: 12 July 2022

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