A sudden loss of water at your workplace – whether on a construction site, in an office block, or at an industrial facility -can create serious disruption fast.
Water is essential not just for drinking, but for flushing toilets, hand washing, food preparation, and cleaning. If you’re responsible for managing the site or facilities, knowing what to do when the taps run dry is crucial to keeping operations safe, legal, and operational.
Here’s 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, you are likely in breach of basic workplace welfare standards.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is clear: employers must provide an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water, washing facilities, and functioning toilets for staff. If the water goes off – even temporarily – you’re legally required to take action.
Minimum Workplace Welfare Standards (HSE Requirements)
Under HSE regulations, 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 a site cannot meet these standards due to a water outage, the responsible person must act – either by providing temporary facilities or by suspending work until basic welfare can be restored.
Step-by-Step Actions When Water Is Cut Off
- Identify the Cause
Determine whether the issue is internal (e.g. burst pipe) or external (e.g. local utility problem). Contact your water supplier for confirmation and estimated repair time. - Log the Incident
Record the time, affected areas, and any communication with your water provider. This helps with compliance and audit trails. - Inform Staff and Stakeholders
Clearly communicate the situation. If toilets or sinks are unavailable, advise on what alternatives are being arranged. - Assess Welfare Risk
If staff can’t safely use toilet or washing facilities, you may need to restrict access or close the site temporarily. - Arrange Emergency Welfare Facilities
If the outage will last longer than a short period, bringing in temporary toilets or welfare units is essential to maintain compliance and keep staff on site.
When to Bring in Emergency Toilets or Welfare Units
If there’s no access to water for toilets or hand washing, emergency welfare hire is your fastest route to restoring safe working conditions.
euroloo provides:
- Emergency portable toilets for short-term disruptions
- Self-contained welfare units with internal water tanks
- Delivery using our in-house logistics team, often same-day or next-day
- Support from a dedicated operations team experienced in urgent site needs
Whether the issue affects an office, school, retail park, or site compound, we can help keep your site operational.
Temporary Water Supply Options
In addition to toilets and wash stations, some sites may require temporary water for:
- Drinking water points
- Cleaning and hygiene
- Welfare cabins or canteens
euroloo’s emergency units include internal water storage to support handwashing and basic hygiene. For larger-scale water needs (e.g. bulk water tanks), we can connect you with trusted partners frequently used by our customers.
How euroloo Supports Emergency Site Needs
We’ve supported thousands of customers across England with emergency welfare hire during unplanned outages.
- Self-contained, water-independent units
- Reliable delivery with biofuel-powered vehicles
- Support across commercial, public sector, and construction sites
If you’re facing a welfare or toilet shortage due to a water supply issue, we’re ready to help – fast.
If the Problem Persists
For outages lasting more than a day or two, consider:
- Extending the duration of emergency welfare hire
- Reducing site occupancy or adjusting shifts
- Planning for longer-term welfare provision to cover future disruption
Our team can help assess your site needs and plan a tailored response if water supply issues become more frequent or long-term.
Need Emergency Welfare Support Now?
If your site has no water and you need immediate assistance, contact us today to arrange emergency portable toilets or welfare units. We’ll help restore safe, compliant working conditions without delay.
