Driveway Shared Water Supply Leak

[GSP]

Hi,
Apologies as I don't know exactly where to post this so hopefully this is an appropriate place.

My neighbour has a leak under his driveway which started as a small puddle, but has developed into something bigger and now flooding part of our new bloc paved driveway which was only laid in June.

Essex & Suffolk water have been round and said the leak is inside my neighbours boundary and issued him with a 30 day notice to fix.
Less than two years ago he had another leak not far from where the water is now, but they fixed that one. They did say at the time the next time he reports one it will cost him as this was a "free" one.

I am brought into this as it is a shared water supply pipe, but the neighbour is unaware of this as was I until yesterday. Reading material it appears I find myself liable to pay half the repair costs which I imagine will be over a thousand pounds.

My neighbour found a company who will do the work over the Bank Holiday weekend, so just over a week away.

I am trying to research and find out information on this subject as I am sure many do when faced with something they don't know about or the unknown.

Questions I have but haven't contacted anyone about yet.
- If I am on a shared supply, can I use my "free" repair card although its under my neighbours driveway.
- Neighbour had a similar problem close by less than two years ago. What about a guarantee from the free repair.
- Could contact my insurance. Its a bit vague if I am covered or not.
- Read an article where someone claimed on accidental damage. They said supply pipes do not wear out, they only leak when ground is disturbed by movement, tree roots, traffic vibration. Conincidentally there is damage in the road right next to the leak. When certain traffic goes over this it causes furniture and noises inside our houses such is the seismic activity sent out.
- Not say anything. Perhaps the company should have investigated to see if it was a shared supply.

I am hoping there is something I have mentioned which someone can say I should investigate or pursue which might help us or neighbour financially as we find ourselves in this situation.
Would appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Thanks

 

[GSP]

Okay. A big development.
I have contacted the water company and they say the supply is not shared, I have my own supply. When they came round a couple of weeks back to look at the leak and we were out, our supply had been turned off. Appears they turned our stopcock off in the street by mistake.
Only concern now is the company coming around to do the work and the impact they will have on our new driveway. Both mine and the neighbours stop cocks are located at the end of my driveway. If they decide to replace all the piping I expect they will have to trench and dig up the corner of the driveway.
As they are going to be doing work, would it be possible they could locate my neighbours stopcock at the end of his property?

 

[Ric2013]

You can ask the neighbour to relocate. He may go for it as it would probably be cheaper than re-laying block paving or he may say he has an easement allowing him to run his water supply under your drive. You can also be obstructive and deny him access to your property. Then he may take you to court citing the easement, but at least the court will give him clear rules to follow. Best to be seen making reasonable requests first though.

Quite honestly, I'd write him a letter saying if he needs to dig up your drive, you'll need to know exactly how much he needs to dig up and then you'll get a quote from the person who laid the drive in the first place to carry out the permanent repair to the same standard as the rest and it is a condition of him being allowed access that he pays you the money BEFORE he digs up the drive on the understanding that you will give him any money left over if your repair work proves cheaper, and a copy of your firm's invoice. Also that you want to see the Public Liability Insurance of the person/firm doing his work if you're concerned the person is not a bona fide tradesman.

In all honesty, I water supplies are often 'moled' so no digging would be required. I had the impression that a new water supply pipe wouldn't usually cost more than two thousand, but I'll leave others to comment on that.

 

[GSP]

Thanks Ric.
Even better news for us if this works. Wife noticed there was a blue line from the stopcock at the end of our driveway which pointed diagonally to the end of the neighbours property. Looks like they won't have to interfere with our driveway, although it looks a pretty near thing.
The water has been coming out 2-3 weeks now and discolouration and green algae are appearing on the affected part of our driveway.
Wasn't their fault their pipe leaked but would want this rectified, but wondering what point to approach the neighbour on this.

 

[Rob Foster]

come on then get camera out take some pics and post on here we are all involved even my mrs who is a barrister who has been thinking
how to protect you - waiting 4 some pics

 

[GSP]

Will do. Will take them tomorrow when the light is better.

 

[Rob Foster]

This is an epic story with I think a good ending - perhaps we should start a plumbers forum driveway sub section !!!

 

[snowhead]

This can go 2 ways.

Either it's a gang who work for a Utility company and do this all week, have all the gear and access to all the materials required (free of charge) and will do a good job.

Or a gang who turn up on horses with little gear and no idea and make the leak worse.

The anticipation is unbearable.

I hope it's the first possibility.

 

[Ric2013]

discolouration and green algae are appearing on the affected part of our driveway

Wait until a few winters have passed and it will all look like that That said, the idea of your neighbour coming round with a pail of hot water and a scrubbing brush to rectify is rather appealing.