Quick links
What's new
- OBM 01/10: Ofwat Board minutes - meeting held 25 January 2010
- OBM 10/09: Ofwat Board minutes - meeting held 10 December 2009
- OBM 09/09: Ofwat Board minutes - meeting held 19 November 2009
- Bulk supply pricing – a consultation on our policy principles
- New appointments and variations – a consultation on our policy
- New appointments and variations – a consultation on our process
Supply pipes
What the water companies are responsible for
Water companies are responsible for the water mains in the ground. Normally they are also responsible for that part of the service pipe lying between the main and the company's stop tap which represents the limit of their public network (usually at the boundary of the highway). This is known as the communication pipe. Most properties have an underground stop tap at the boundary where the communication pipe ends. The water company is responsible for the repair and maintenance of this stop tap.
What you are responsible for
In most cases, the part of the service pipe taking water from the company's stop tap into the house belongs to the householder or property owner. This is known as the supply pipe. It is the householder's responsibility to keep the supply pipe in good order, in the same way as they are responsible for the plumbing. It is the landlord's responsibility in rented properties (unless the rental agreement states differently).
