What is Category 5 (CAT 5) Water Supply? And what does category 5 mean? Fluid category 5 (CAT 5) is described as a fluid representing a serious health hazard because of the concentration of pathogenic organisms, radioactive or very toxic substances. This includes any fluid which contains faecal material or other human waste, butchery or other animal waste, or pathogens from any other source.
If a water tank is receiving a water supply from a source other than a public supply (rainwater, borehole, spring, etc) a break tank is required. Other examples of environments that require these solutions include urinals, laboratories, drain cleaning plants, industrial cisterns and bin stores.
Download WRAS Information and Guidance Note for cold water storage cisterns design recommendations for mains supply here.
The current Water Regulations were introduced in 1999 in England and Wales and in 2000 in Scotland and all water companies actively enforce the regulations. In these regulations there are large sections on backflow prevention and the Fluid Category identifies the level of contamination risk, with Category 3 identifying a slight health risk, Category 4 a significant risk and Category 5 a serious health risk. View details on the other fluid category’s here.
As a Water Regulations solution specialist, we supply a range of AB Air Gap Break Tank tanks that provide backflow protection for Fluid Category 5 risks. Examples of environments that require these solutions include urinals, laboratories, drain cleaning plants, industrial cisterns and bin stores. Our fluid category 5 break tanks for WRAS approved potable water tanks and non-potable water meets the specific requirements of backflow prevention. Our article on how to become fluid category 5 compliant here.
Category 5 Implications for construction and agriculture
Agriculture is considered high risk for mains water with many water tanks and cisterns required for livestock watering and for agricultural sprayers. Livestock and the possibility of spray chemicals make it a necessity for fluid category 5. In construction with the water requirements for concrete mixing and temporary accommodation necessitate the requirements for AB air tanks and insulated tanks for freshwater supplies. View our insulated CAT 5 water tanks here.
When designing a new water system or altering an existing system the implications of incorrect mains water connections can be expensive with fines starting at £1,000.00, disconnection of water supply or even a court order. For more details on What is Category 5 (CAT 5) Water Supply? of how this affects your installation feel free to contact us today.