Last updated to reflect current workplace welfare guidance in 2026.
Quick Answer
If your workplace loses water, you may not be legally allowed to keep staff on site.
UK welfare rules require drinking water, flushing toilets and handwashing facilities. If these cannot be provided, you must either bring in temporary welfare facilities or suspend work until basic standards are restored.
A sudden loss of water at your workplace – whether on a construction site, in an office block, or at an operational facility – can cause serious disruption very quickly.
Water is essential not just for drinking, but for flushing toilets, handwashing, food preparation and cleaning. If you’re responsible for managing a site or facility, knowing what to do when the water goes off is critical to keeping operations safe, legal and operational.
Below is a practical guide to what to do next.
Is it legal to keep staff on site without water?
In most cases, no. If there’s no access to clean, running water for drinking, washing or flushing toilets, you are likely in breach of basic workplace welfare standards.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is clear that employers must provide an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water, washing facilities, and functioning toilets. If the water goes off – even temporarily – action is required.
Minimum workplace welfare standards (HSE requirements)
Under HSE guidance, every workplace must have:
- Flushing toilets connected to an effective drainage system
- Washing facilities with hot and cold (or warm) running water
- An adequate supply of drinking water
- Clean, well-maintained sanitary facilities
If these standards can’t be met due to a water outage, the responsible person must act – either by providing temporary facilities or by suspending work until welfare can be restored.
No water access can shut down any workplace
Whether you manage a construction site, a commercial building or an operational facility,
loss of water access can stop work immediately and create compliance risks.
If you’re running a construction site
Welfare provision is a legal requirement. If water is lost, alternative arrangements
must be made quickly to keep work lawful.
If you manage a workplace or facility
Staff welfare and hygiene obligations still apply, even if the issue is outside your
direct control.
Step-by-step actions when water is cut off
- Identify the cause
Establish whether the issue is internal (e.g. a burst pipe) or external (e.g. a local supply problem). Contact your water supplier if required. - Log the incident
Record timings, affected areas and communications for compliance and audit purposes. - Inform staff and stakeholders
Be clear about what’s affected and what arrangements are being put in place. - Assess welfare risk
If toilets or handwashing aren’t available, continuing normal operations may not be permitted. - Arrange temporary welfare facilities
If the outage will last more than a short period, temporary toilets or welfare units may be needed to maintain compliance.
When to bring in emergency toilets or welfare units
If there’s no access to water for toilets or handwashing, temporary welfare provision is often the fastest route to restoring safe working conditions.
Temporary facilities are commonly used across:
- Construction and maintenance sites
- Commercial buildings and offices
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Retail parks and shopping centres
- Healthcare and public-sector estates
Temporary water supply considerations
Some sites may also require temporary water provision for drinking, cleaning or basic hygiene. Many welfare units are self-contained and designed to support these needs while permanent supply is restored.
If the problem persists
For outages lasting more than a day or two, organisations often consider:
- Extending temporary welfare provision
- Reducing site occupancy or adjusting shifts
- Planning for future disruption rather than reacting each time
Not sure who should act first?
If the water issue isn’t being resolved immediately and you need to understand who is responsible, who to contact, and what usually happens next, these guides explain the typical response.
Need emergency welfare support now?
If your site has no water and you need immediate assistance, emergency welfare facilities
can be arranged to help restore safe, compliant working conditions.
Find out more about portable toilet hire or emergency welfare provision.
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