Unlicensed Plumber

Issue Date: - Monday, 24 December 2007

A Mandurah reticulation trader has been fined for undertaking work that required a professional licensed plumber.

Alan Baker carried out water supply plumbing work without a licence. Mr Baker was fined $500 and $359 costs at the Mandurah Magistrates Court.

The Chairperson of the Plumbers Licensing Board Mr Tom Hall, said Mr Baker has been in the reticulation business for 10 years and is well aware of the need for licensed plumbers.

"Mr Baker attempted to install a compression fitting to an underground water pipe, which could have caused water leaks," Mr Hall said.

"He also failed to install a backflow prevention device which is used to prevent contamination of the mains water supply.

"The purpose of licensing plumbers is to safeguard members of the public from the adverse consequences of poor workmanship.

"Mr Baker has cooperated with us and has sought to have a licensed plumber remedy his actions.

"We need to send a clear message to other members of the public that they should not do plumbing work without using a licensed plumber, no matter how simple they think the job is," Mr Hall said.