Responsibility of the water company

[markadams]

Hi,

Can someone confirm what part of the pipework coming into the house is the responsibility of the owner and what part is the water company?

It is up to the external stop tap (where ever it is located) or at the boundary of the property (which is probably before the tap)?

 

[Mike Jackson]

They are normally responsible up to and including the external stop tap. Some water underrtakings will carry out a repair to the pipework up as for as the dwelling but not any further.

 

[markadams]

They are normally responsible up to and including the external stop tap. Some water underrtakings will carry out a repair to the pipework up as for as the dwelling but not any further.

Hi Mike,

This was also my understanding but I was called to a job this morning where a customer had received a letter from the water supply company saying that he had a leak on his property and he had 2 weeks to get it fixed or court action would be taken.

I went to have a look and the outside stop tap is right at the back of the house. If there is a leak it is certainly not after the stop tap.

 

[Thedeester1]

The external stop tap isn't usually on the property of the customer? Its usually outside on the pavement. The water authority in question is responsible upto this point as the customer doesn't have the authority to shut off other peoples water supplies to rectify a leak. Which will need to be done.
Some properties have the external stop tap and another outside stop tap on the property. The secondary stop taps are usually fitted by plumbers because the water authority stop tap is seized up and its easier to do this than get into a legal wrangle over the original stop tap.

 

[newcastle phill]

Possibly worth a call to discuss further.
Let us know

 

[markadams]

Possibly worth a call to discuss further.
Let us know

Phill,

Yes, this was my suggestion to the customer as the water supply company wont talk to me about it as I am not the owner.