If your business loses running water -through a burst main, maintenance issue, or supply failure – you might be wondering whether you can legally keep trading.
The answer depends on one thing: whether you can still provide suitable toilet and washing facilities for your staff.
This guide explains what the law says, what you must do to stay compliant, and how temporary toilets can keep your business open when the water stops.
The Legal Position
UK employers are required by law to provide adequate toilets and washing facilities under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
If water is unavailable, those facilities can’t function properly – which means the workplace becomes non-compliant until a safe, hygienic alternative is in place.
Continuing to operate without water could:
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Breach health and safety regulations
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Expose the business to enforcement notices
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Create risk of sickness or contamination on site
How Long Can a Business Stay Open Without Water?
There’s no fixed time limit written in law. However, once toilets and washing facilities are unusable, the business must take immediate action to provide an alternative.
HSE guidance makes it clear that welfare standards must be maintained at all times, even during emergencies or maintenance work.
That means if water is off for more than a short interruption, you’ll need temporary facilities in place to stay compliant.
Options When the Water Supply Fails
If your mains water supply fails, you have two practical options:
1️⃣ Suspend work until water is restored – costly and disruptive.
2️⃣ Hire temporary toilets and welfare facilities – quick, compliant, and keeps operations running.
For most businesses, the second option is the clear choice.
Emergency Toilet Hire: The Fastest Route to Compliance
Emergency portable toilets provide an instant, legally acceptable solution during a water outage.
With same-day delivery available, you can:
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Maintain safe working conditions
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Meet HSE and welfare regulations
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Avoid sending staff home or halting production
euroloo’s in-house emergency response team operates nationwide, delivering and servicing units directly from our own depots.
Need toilets fast? Call to Book Emergency Toilet Hire
Example Situations Where Businesses Stay Open
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Factories and warehouses using temporary toilets during supply line repairs
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Retail parks and shopping centres affected by burst mains
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Construction sites awaiting permanent water connections
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Offices where building services are being upgraded
In each case, temporary toilet hire keeps the workforce on site, prevents shutdowns, and protects compliance records.
Next Steps
If your building loses water, act immediately:
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Notify staff and stop using normal toilets.
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Contact your water supplier for an update.
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Arrange temporary toilets until the issue is fixed.
euroloo can deliver nationwide within 2.5, often wthin the hour, keeping your business open and compliant.
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