Abstract: A cold water distribution system for a multi-storey building has a lower accumulator provided in the building on a lower floor thereof and an upper accumulator provided on an upper floor of the building. A water inlet pipe leads from an external mains water supply into the building and is connected to the lower accumulator through an inlet non-return valve. A riser leads from the lower accumulator to the upper accumulator and is provided with respective lower and upper non-return valves adjacent the outlet from the lower accumulator and the inlet to the upper accumulator. An electrically-driven pump is provided in the riser to pump water to the upper accumulator and a water distribution pipe is connected to the upper accumulator for supplying cold water to at least the upper floor of the building.