Minimum depth of water pipe

[MrsP]

I’ve got a question about pipe depth. My old incoming water pipe is leaking but is below the neighbour’s subsequent big drainage pipe running across it and is hard to access, on a narrow pedestrian lane in a conservation area. (The experienced plumbers I got in dug down so far then backed away and said it would require machinery.) I'm wondering if a solution might be to lay modern piping above the drainage pipe at less than the specified depth with some sort of insulation against frost - is this ever done, does anyone know? Thanks!

 

[Ric2013]

MrsP find yourself an Approved Plumber (ask your local Water UnderTaker for a list) They will guide you through giving notice & what will likely be required. It takes 10 working day's . If they don't respond either to grant or grant with conditions then it is deemed to be granted & the plumbers can proceed.

True, but I think they can still ask you to do it again, only thing is you can't be held responsible for not informing them. If so, it's a crazy situation, but hey ho.

FWIW, a plumber I know hit solid slate a little before 750mm, asked Dwr Cymru for permission to lay the pipe more shallow, and was refused permission.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

There's another depth I seem to remember "6' under"

 

[Ric2013]

Of course. 6' under is deeper than water pipes are laid, so unlikely to be disturbed.

 

[Kimber]

Personally I wouldn’t have the pipe moled unless you know where all your other services are. We had a new water main laid into our property, and ended up opting for it being dug in.

All the companies that moled the pipes said that if they hit someone whilst doing it, they weren’t liable, unless you gave them plans of where the services lay in the first place.

 

[Rob Foster]

The view from here is that quite honestly nobody really will know if you relay the mains plastic above below or by the side of the whatever, I am all for regulations god knows my company jump,thro hoops with wras etc. If it’s was my job just get on with it In the best most economical way and just bury it and move on