- Quotations and Acceptance
All quotations issued by HTS Water are prepared using information supplied by the Client. It is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that all details relating to the site, system configuration, access arrangements, and scope of works are accurate and complete.
Should site conditions, system layouts, or operational requirements differ materially from those described during the quotation stage, HTS Water reserves the right to revise the contract value to reflect the additional labour, materials, equipment, or time required to complete the works.
Where any increase in costs is anticipated to exceed 50% of the original quotation value, HTS Water will endeavour to obtain the Client’s approval prior to proceeding.
If the works cannot be completed due to inaccurate information, restricted access, unforeseen site conditions, or where additional costs are not accepted by the Client, HTS Water reserves the right to recover the original quoted amount together with any reasonable costs incurred.
Quotations remain valid for acceptance for a period of fourteen (14) days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated in writing. Once accepted, the quotation shall remain valid for forty-five (45) days unless extended by HTS Water in writing.
Acceptance of a quotation may be made by signed acceptance, written email confirmation, or the issue of a valid purchase order. Any terms contained within the Client’s purchase order, contract documents, or standard conditions shall not apply unless expressly accepted by HTS Water in writing.
Acceptance of a quotation constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
- Service Delivery
HTS Water will allocate suitably qualified and competent engineers to undertake the agreed Works.
Whilst every reasonable effort will be made to attend on the agreed date and time, HTS Water shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential losses arising from delays, rescheduling, or circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
All services will be carried out in accordance with recognised industry standards and good engineering practice. Relevant completion certificates, reports, and supporting documentation will be issued upon completion of the works.
Whilst HTS Water will take reasonable precautions to improve system hygiene and water quality, no warranty is given regarding the ongoing microbiological condition of the water system following completion. Water quality may be affected by factors outside the control of HTS Water, including source water quality, system design, operational practices, and third-party activities.
Where flushing or chlorination of outlets forms part of the agreed scope, HTS Water will service all outlets that are safely accessible during attendance. HTS Water accepts no responsibility for inaccessible, unidentified, isolated, or omitted outlets. Any known exclusions will be recorded on the completion documentation.
- Client Obligations
The Client shall provide unrestricted, safe, and suitable access to the site and all relevant system components for the duration of the works.
HTS Water reserves the right to suspend or terminate attendance where safe access cannot be provided or where conditions present a risk to personnel, equipment, or the successful completion of the works.
Unless otherwise agreed, the Client shall provide a suitable water supply capable of meeting the flow and pressure requirements specified within the quotation, including a minimum operating pressure of 1.5 bar.
Where water authority hydrants or network assets are to be used, the Client shall obtain all necessary written permissions prior to attendance.
The Client must advise HTS Water of any induction requirements, permits, site-specific training, security restrictions, or access arrangements at the quotation stage. Failure to provide this information may result in delays, additional charges, or abortive visit costs.
Where available, the Client shall provide current schematic drawings showing the location of valves, hydrants, branches, washouts, dead-legs, and other relevant system components.
All pipe ends, hydrants, washouts, valves, and testing points must be clearly visible, identifiable, and accessible. Where excavation, clearance, or remedial works are required to gain access, additional labour charges may apply at the prevailing HTS Water hourly rate.
- Microbiological Sampling
Where laboratory testing forms part of the agreed works, HTS Water will collect samples and arrange analysis through an independent UKAS-accredited laboratory.
HTS Water will retain records confirming sample submission but shall not be liable for samples lost, delayed, damaged, or compromised after handover to the courier, collection point, or laboratory.
Should replacement samples be required due to loss or laboratory issues, HTS Water will consult with the Client regarding the most practical method of obtaining re-samples. Re-attendance by HTS Water is not automatically included within the original contract value.
Where laboratory results indicate unsatisfactory water quality, HTS Water will review the findings with the Client and recommend appropriate remedial action.
Where source water quality is acceptable and no obvious contributing factors are identified, HTS Water may, at its sole discretion and without admission of liability, undertake a repeat chlorination as a goodwill gesture.
Where poor source water quality, system defects, contamination events, or other external factors are identified, any further chlorination, sampling, flushing, or remedial works shall be chargeable in addition to the original contract value.
- Chlorination Services
Prior to chlorination, all connection points must be exposed and accessible with adequate working space for the installation of equipment.
HTS Water may undertake pipeline swabbing where retrieval is considered reasonably achievable. No responsibility shall be accepted for lost swabs resulting from undocumented pipework, unknown branches, defective fittings, or inaccurate system information.
The quoted service includes a maximum of two swabbing attempts. Where excessive contamination requires further cleaning operations, HTS Water reserves the right to charge additional labour and materials or suspend the works.
HTS Water cannot guarantee the effectiveness of chlorination where swabbing cannot be completed, where significant contamination remains within the system, or where source water quality is unsuitable.
Prior to commencement, source water may be assessed using field-testing equipment. HTS Water reserves the right to suspend or cancel the works if the supply water is unsuitable for effective chlorination.
- Waiting Time
Engineers are expected to commence work immediately upon arrival unless otherwise agreed in writing.
A mobilisation period of up to fifteen (15) minutes shall be allowed for unloading and equipment setup. Delays beyond this period caused by site readiness issues, restricted access, unavailable personnel, permits, or other circumstances beyond HTS Water’s control shall be chargeable.
Waiting time shall be charged at £90 per hour per engineer, or part thereof.
HTS Water reserves the right to charge for up to five hours of waiting time and may suspend or terminate attendance where delays exceed two hours and completion of the works is no longer reasonably achievable.
- Leaks, Defects and System Failures
HTS Water shall not be liable for leaks, bursts, flooding, drainage failures, or water damage arising from pre-existing defects within the system.
Reasonable efforts will be made to isolate leaks and minimise disruption. However, where defects prevent completion of the works, HTS Water may suspend attendance until repairs have been completed.
Where HTS Water undertakes remedial works to facilitate completion, additional labour charges shall apply, subject to a minimum one-hour charge per engineer.
- Pressure Testing
The Client shall ensure all testing points are accessible and suitable for testing operations.
Washouts and hydrants must provide sufficient access to allow connection of testing equipment. Open pipe ends shall be adequately exposed and accessible.
Where an initial pressure test fails, HTS Water may permit time for repairs and undertake a retest, subject to engineer availability. Waiting time charges may apply.
Where failures are significant, or where subsequent tests continue to fail, HTS Water reserves the right to terminate the attendance and recover the full contract value together with any additional costs incurred.
- Job Cancellation
The Client may cancel a confirmed booking by providing not less than two working days’ written notice.
Where insufficient notice is provided, HTS Water reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of £495 per engineer allocated to the works or the full contract value, whichever is lower.
Where cancellation occurs on the scheduled attendance date, HTS Water reserves the right to recover the full contract value.
HTS Water may suspend or terminate works where:
- Safe access cannot be provided.
- Unsafe site conditions exist.
- The system is incomplete or not ready for service.
- Defects or non-conformities are identified which may compromise safety or certification.
- Required permits, inductions, permissions, or representatives are unavailable.
Where attendance is terminated for reasons beyond HTS Water’s control, the full contract value may become payable.
- Payment Terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, new customers shall receive certification only upon receipt of full payment.
Credit facilities are subject to approval and may be withdrawn at any time.
Invoices shall be payable within thirty (30) days of the invoice date.
Overdue accounts may be subject to interest at 3% above the prevailing Barclays Bank base rate together with any recovery costs incurred.
The Client shall not withhold payment due to administrative issues, internal approval processes, or documentation requests.
- Confidentiality
Both parties shall treat all commercial, technical, operational, and contractual information as confidential and shall not disclose such information except where required by law or necessary for the performance of the services.
- Limitation of Liability
Nothing within these Terms shall exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded.
Subject to the foregoing, HTS Water shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, economic, or special losses including loss of profit, business interruption, loss of contracts, or loss of goodwill.
HTS Water’s total liability arising from any contract shall not exceed the total amount paid for the services giving rise to the claim.
- Severability
Should any provision of these Terms be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
- Compliance with Laws
Both parties shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, by-laws, codes of practice, and statutory requirements relevant to the services being provided.
- Dispute Resolution
Any dispute arising from the services shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiations. If unresolved within thirty (30) days, the parties shall seek an agreed method of alternative dispute resolution before commencing formal proceedings.
- Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from or connected with the services provided.