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The event is a team time trial, each team has two contestants one of whom must be connected to the water industry either employed by a Water Company or Contract Partners. Their aim to drill and tap a 150mm-diameter ductile iron main under pressure at 40-70psi, together with the installation of a simulated service connection. Skill, dexterity and speed are a prime requirement, but quality is paramount and time penalty points are added if there is any leaks or infringements of the Rules & Regulations governing the Championships.

A combined drilling and tapping machine incorporating a 25mm ferrule makes the connection. The machine is attached to the ductile iron main in such a way that a watertight seal is made between the machine and the main. The machine is then cranked by hand to drill and tap the main. The drill bit is reversed and the machine cylinder is rotated through 180 degrees. The gunmetal ferrule is then inserted into the main. Once inserted, the machine is removed and the service connection that has been prepared by the other team member is then attached to the ferrule outlet to represent the simulated service connection. The connection is complete once water discharges from the service tap. The quality of the work is then judged and seconds are added to the running time for leaks, safety and other technical violations. A prize is awarded for a ‘quality tap’, i.e. no penalty points incurred.