WIAPS - Water Industry Approved Plumbers' Scheme
The Water Industry Approved Plumbers' Scheme (WIAPS) is the largest of the four UK Approved Contractors' Schemes. It approves plumbers and other water professionals on behalf of 18 UK water companies, giving them water-industry-backed accreditation. WIAPS is run by Water Regs UK.
What WIAPS does
WIAPS verifies the qualifications of installers, audits members for compliance and lists approved contractors on its public 'Find an Installer' search. Approved contractors issue a certificate of compliance on completed work, which gives the customer a legal defence provided the work falls within the contractor's approved scope. Approval is held by the individual operative, not the business, and is granted for a specific scope of work.
Who can join
- Plumbers (Approved Plumber)
- Groundworkers on external services (Approved Groundworker)
- Catering equipment installers
- Point of use installers
- RPZ valve testers
- The education sector
Membership requirements
- Verified, recognised qualifications for the scope of work
- Ongoing audit checks on compliance
- A complaints process
- Public liability insurance
ProTech's perspective
For groundworkers installing supply pipes and meters, WIAPS Approved Groundworker status is the recognised mark of competence. Our Groundwork, Service Pipe and Meter Housing Installation course is approved for use in training by Water Regs UK on behalf of the water undertakers in WIAPS, and is aimed at those wishing to become Approved Contractors in the Groundworker sector.