How to establish a source for potable water

Find a reliable water source for your daily operations

To operate your mobile business safely and legally, you must arrange a consistent and hygienic source of potable (drinking quality) water. This is a critical daily task for food preparation, hand washing, and cleaning. The most reliable method is to secure a formal agreement to use a tap at a fixed business premises, ensuring you can fill your fresh water tanks at the start of each day.

Where to get your water

Your local council's environmental health officer will want to see that you have a reliable and safe source. Here are the best places to look:

• Partner with a local business: Approach a local café, pub, or community centre and offer a small fee to use their (usually outdoor) tap each morning. This is the most common and accepted solution.
• Your home supply: If you operate near home, using your domestic tap is a perfectly good option.
• Commercial kitchens: If you use a commissary or commercial kitchen for food prep, they will have a suitable water supply you can use.

Best practices for water safety

Maintaining water quality is just as important as finding a source. Follow these simple rules to ensure you always meet hygiene standards:

1. Use a food-grade hose: Only use a hose specifically designed for drinking water. Do not use a standard garden hose, as they can leach harmful chemicals.
2. Keep it clean: Keep your hose and connectors clean and stored in a sealed container away from chemicals or fuel.
3. Avoid contamination: Never let the nozzle of the hose touch the ground or the inside of the wastewater (grey water) tank.