Four accreditation schemes. Different requirements for different types of water sector work. Here is the only guide that explains all of them in one place — what each covers, who requires it, how to get it, and how they interact with each other.
Getting onto a water company framework or being appointed as a sub-contractor within a water sector supply chain almost always requires one or more formal accreditations. Water companies use these schemes to ensure that the contractors working on their infrastructure — which provides drinking water to millions of people — meet defined standards for competence, health and safety, and quality management.
The challenge for contractors is that there are multiple overlapping schemes covering different types of water sector work. Many contractors are unsure which schemes apply to them, in what order to pursue them, and how they interact. This guide explains everything in one place.
If you do civil or infrastructure work on water company assets — WIRS or WIRSAE. If you do plumbing or supply pipe work — WIAPS. If you want to be in the supply chain of major UK utilities — Achilles UVDB. Most serious water sector contractors will need more than one.
WIRS is the primary accreditation scheme for contractors working on the physical infrastructure of the water sector — water mains, sewers, treatment works, pumping stations, service reservoirs. It is managed by LRQA (formerly Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance) on behalf of the water industry.
WIRS registration demonstrates that a contractor meets the water industry's requirements for health and safety management, quality management, environmental management and technical competence for working on water and wastewater infrastructure.
Who requires it: Most major water companies require WIRS for contractors working on their buried infrastructure — mains laying, service connections, sewer rehabilitation, civil engineering on sites. It is often specified in framework PQQs as a minimum requirement.
What the assessment covers:
Registration levels: WIRS has a tiered assessment — the higher the level, the more complex the work categories you can register for. Most contractors start with a standard assessment and build from there.
How to apply: Via LRQA at lrqa.com/en-gb/water-industry-registration-scheme. LRQA conducts a desk-based assessment followed by a site visit. Registration is typically valid for 12 months with annual surveillance.
Cost: Registration fees vary by company size and categories. Expect £800–£2,000+ for initial assessment. Annual renewal is lower.
WIRSAE is the equivalent of WIRS but specifically for electrical and mechanical (MEICA) contractors working in the water sector — panel builders, instrumentation and control engineers, pump engineers, SCADA specialists, electrical installation contractors at water and wastewater treatment works.
WIRSAE is also managed by LRQA and has similar assessment criteria to WIRS but with a technical competence focus on electrical and mechanical disciplines rather than civil.
Who requires it: Water companies require WIRSAE (or equivalent) for contractors carrying out electrical and mechanical work on their operational assets — treatment works, pumping stations, telemetry installations. Many MEICA framework lots specify WIRSAE as a prequalification requirement.
Key difference from WIRS: WIRSAE covers the specific competencies needed for work on live electrical systems, instrumentation, SCADA and mechanical plant in water sector environments. These are safety-critical environments — contractors must demonstrate not just general H&S management but specific electrical safety competence.
How to apply: Also via LRQA. The process is similar to WIRS — desk assessment plus site visit. Many MEICA contractors hold both WIRS and WIRSAE, depending on their scope of work.
Contractors who carry out both civil and MEICA work — for example, a utilities contractor that lays mains and also installs above-ground telemetry equipment — may need both WIRS and WIRSAE. Check the specific requirements in any framework PQQ carefully.
WIAPS is a fundamentally different type of scheme to WIRS and WIRSAE. It is an approved plumber scheme for contractors carrying out work on customers' water supply pipes — the pipe from the water main to the kitchen tap, including service pipe replacement and repair.
WIAPS is run by Water Regs UK (waterregsuk.co.uk) and replaced the individual water company approved plumber schemes that previously existed. It is the largest approved contractor scheme in the UK water sector by number of registered companies.
Why WIAPS matters for AMP8: The UK has a significant legacy lead pipe replacement programme under AMP8. Severn Trent Water specifically switched to the WIAPS scheme in April 2025 as their approved contractor route. Any plumber or contractor wanting to work on supply pipe replacement for water companies needs to be WIAPS registered.
What WIAPS covers:
The WaterSafe directory: WIAPS registered contractors appear on the WaterSafe.org.uk public directory — the consumer-facing directory of approved water sector plumbers. Water companies direct customers here when recommending contractors for supply pipe work.
How to apply: Via Water Regs UK at waterregsuk.co.uk/wiaps. Requires evidence of plumbing qualifications, insurance and completion of water hygiene training.
Achilles UVDB is not a competency scheme for on-site work — it is a supply chain qualification and risk management database used by UK utility companies (water, gas, electricity, telecoms) to pre-qualify suppliers and manage supply chain risk.
UVDB is operated by Achilles Information Ltd and is used by almost all major UK water companies as the entry point for their supply chains. Registration is effectively a prerequisite for being considered for framework positions at major water companies.
UVDB levels:
Who uses UVDB: The Achilles UVDB buyer list includes Thames Water, Portsmouth Water, Cadent Gas, National Grid and many other major utilities. For water sector contractors, having UVDB registration demonstrates that you meet the utility sector's minimum supply chain standards.
What UVDB assesses (Silver/Silver Plus):
How to apply: Via Achilles at achilles.com/en/uvdb. Annual subscription fee varies by company size — typically £300–£800 per year for Verify, more for audited levels.
| Type of Work | Scheme Required | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineering — water mains, sewers, treatment civil works | WIRS | LRQA |
| Electrical, mechanical, MEICA at treatment works and pumping stations | WIRSAE | LRQA |
| Supply pipe and plumbing work for water companies | WIAPS | Water Regs UK |
| General utility supply chain — any category | Achilles UVDB | Achilles |
| Site access — all operatives on water company sites | EUSR Water Hygiene Card | EUSR / EUS |
Beneath all the formal accreditation schemes, there is one universal requirement for anyone accessing a water company operational site: a valid EUSR National Water Hygiene Card.
The EUSR (Energy and Utilities Skills Register) Water Hygiene Card is required by all major water companies for every operative working on sites where there is a risk of contaminating the water supply. This includes treatment works, pumping stations, reservoir sites, and any excavation near water mains.
Training is a half-day course covering water hygiene principles, contamination prevention, site rules and personal hygiene. Cards are valid for three years. Registration at euskills.co.uk/eusr.
Water company site managers can and do turn operatives away if they cannot produce a valid EUSR Water Hygiene Card. This is non-negotiable — it applies to everyone from civil engineers to delivery drivers accessing operational sites. Ensure all your site staff have valid cards before any framework appointment starts.
| Contractor Type | Priority 1 | Priority 2 | Priority 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineering / mains laying | WIRS | UVDB Silver | EUSR Water Hygiene |
| MEICA / electrical / mechanical | WIRSAE | UVDB Silver | EUSR Water Hygiene |
| Plumbing / supply pipe | WIAPS | UVDB Verify | EUSR Water Hygiene |
| Specialist product supplier | UVDB Verify | UVDB Silver | ISO 9001 |
| Consultancy / professional services | UVDB Silver | ISO 9001 / 14001 | Professional body membership |
| Civil + MEICA combined contractor | WIRS + WIRSAE | UVDB Silver Plus | EUSR Water Hygiene |
Allow the following lead times when planning your accreditation programme before tendering for water sector frameworks:
The most common mistake is starting accreditation too late. If an AMP8 framework PQQ closes in 3 months and requires WIRS Silver Plus and UVDB Silver, you may not have enough time. Start your accreditation programme at least 6 months before your target framework PQQ deadline.
Water Industry Hub offers procurement support from someone who spent 18 years inside a major water company. We can review your accreditation status, identify gaps, and support your framework applications. Every review is supported by a team of water sector experts.
Get Accreditation Support →