A Coulsdon plumber has become the first woman qualified to install, commission and test a set of hi-tech valves designed to prevent the contamination of mains water supplies.

Ellen Cheesman, of Cheesman Plumbers in Nineacres Way, has been authorised to advise clients mainly in the commercial and industrial sectors on so-called RPZ (reduce pressure zone) valves.

She said: "They perform the same function as the water tanks in our attics (by preventing water from pipes in buildings flowing backwards to the mains) but are more sophisticated and smaller."

She will help businesses across the south in meeting water supply safety regulations by commissioning and installing appropriate products and testing their efficiency.

July 17, 2002 16:00