Today, we’re talking about plumbing and electrical — specifically, how much separation you need between the two to meet code. Stick around and we’ll walk you through it.
General Separation Requirements
When it comes to plumbing and electrical in Canada, you generally need at least 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) of separation between the two systems. In some cases, the minimum is 1 meter, depending on which code rule applies — particularly when dealing with open, usable water, meaning water that comes from a faucet or other accessible source.
So here’s the general rule:
- Between 18 inches and 5 feet of separation is required, depending on the situation.
- GFCI protection is mandatory anytime an outlet is within that 1.5-meter (5-foot) range.
- In no case should an outlet be closer than 18 inches to an open water source.
Example: Kitchen Setup
Take a look at this example — we have a GFCI outlet centered between two sinks, one on each side.
The GFCI is positioned so there’s about 18 inches of space between the outlet and each sink. Even though we meet the minimum clearance, we still need that GFCI protection because of the proximity to water.
When we talk about open usable water, we’re referring to the tap — the point where water becomes accessible. So if you’re installing a countertop outlet, it needs to be at least 1.5 meters away from a sink, or GFCI protected if it’s any closer — but never less than 18 inches.
Wiring in Walls and Ceilings
When running electrical wiring through joists or ceilings, there aren’t specific spacing rules for separation from plumbing. In most cases, both systems share the same wall cavity. That’s perfectly acceptable since we don’t expect leaks inside walls.
For example, in a kitchen island, we often have several electrical lines — for counter plugs, a cooktop, and a dishwasher — running alongside plumbing for the sink.
In that setup:
- The outlet nearest the sink must be at least 18 inches from the edge of the basin.
- Outlets more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) away don’t need GFCI protection.
Special Cases and Exceptions
There are a few situations where plumbing and electrical naturally end up close together.
For instance:
- Washing machines require a power supply near an open water source. We still try to keep at least 18 inches of separation, and the circuit must have arc-fault protection.
- Toilets with power (like pump toilets or bidets) should also have outlets positioned a safe distance away — typically over 18 inches.
Some appliances are designed to mix water and electricity safely, such as water heaters or electric boilers. These systems are hardwired and follow specific installation codes since they’re built for that purpose.
Underground Installations
When running underground power and water lines, codes call for about 1.5 meters (5 feet) of horizontal separation in the trench whenever possible.
We usually keep power on one side and water on the other, maintaining that spacing for safety. In some situations, perfect separation isn’t practical, but we try to maintain as much distance as possible.
Final Thoughts
So that’s a quick overview of how far water and electrical need to be separated.
While we try to follow the rules as closely as possible, there are always exceptions depending on the situation and layout.
Every local inspection authority can have slight variations, so it’s a good idea to check with your local inspector or building authority before starting any installation.
.
If you want to see more videos like this, click the link in the corner or visit our website, where we have all our content posted and organized.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe, and we’ll see you on the next one!