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Information notes
Responsibility for water and sewerage pipes This information note explains where the responsibility for water and sewerage pipes lies and the action that must be taken if a leak is found in a pipe. What are the companies' responsibilities for water pipes? 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 keeping these in a serviceable condition. What are the householders' responsibilities? 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). Shared supply pipes Modern houses have an independent water supply pipe into the property, which is the householder's responsibility. In older properties there may be a shared supply pipe for one or more other houses. Responsibility for the supply pipe is shared between householders. Examples of supply pipe responsibility are shown in the diagram below:  House A is a modern house with an independent supply pipe. Houses B and C have a shared supply pipe and have joint responsibility for maintenance for any part of the pipe that is shared. Houses D, E and F are terraced houses with a shared supply pipe. They share responsibility for maintenance of the pipe. How are leaks, or other problems with supply pipes, dealt with? Supply pipes Companies offer free leak detection and a free supply pipe repair for household customers. Most companies restrict the free repair service to the first leak, for external leaks (ie not beneath the property). Some companies limit repairs to owner occupied properties. If your supply pipe is in poor condition some companies may replace it free of charge rather than repair it, or offer a grant towards the cost of this work. Most companies offer a freephone leakline number. This can be found on the water bill or in the telephone directory. The majority of companies provide free leak detection for non-household customers and some also offer these customers a free repair. If a leak is in the householder's supply pipe and not covered by the water company's free repair service, the householder is responsible for repairing it. If the leak is not repaired within a certain time, the water company may carry out the repair and charge the householder for the work. The amount of time allowed and the arrangements for repairing pipes varies from company to company and you will need to contact your water company for further information about this. Shared supply pipes Where a supply pipe is shared householders may share responsibility with their neighbours for the costs of repairs. For example, in the diagram for a repair in the pipe running past house D, the responsibility for making repairs would probably be shared with houses E and F. Householders should check the deeds of their property to establish responsibility. Leaks in properties with water meters When a water meter is installed the water company usually checks for water leaks and these will be repaired, either at the householder's or the company's expense. If there are any subsequent leaks the householder will usually be responsible for repairing them, although some companies may still offer a free repair service. The location of the leak will determine who is responsible for making repairs. If a leak can be repaired without additional excavation it will be repaired free of charge, but if additional excavation is required the householder may be asked to repair the leak or pay the bill if the company repairs it. If there are any subsequent leaks the householder is responsible for repairs. Abnormally high water bills may be due to an undetected leak. The water company may agree to adjust the bill (downwards) to its usual level, provided the householder ensures the leak is repaired within a reasonable time. The company will, normally, only do this on the first occasion this happens. All companies produce a code of practice on leakage which sets out their procedures. What are companies' responsibilities for sewerage pipes? Sewerage companies are responsible for the public sewers. In most cases these are in roads or public open spaces but in certain circumstances they may run through private gardens. The sewerage company has a right of access to these sewers for maintenance. If any work is carried out by the company on sewers on your land they must follow a code of practice, which is available from the company. Sewerage pipes The drains and any private sewers which carry household waste are normally the householder's (or the landlord's) responsibility. This applies whether they are within the property boundary or beyond the property boundary and up to the point they connect with the public sewers. What other information is available? Further information is available in our 'Security of supply, leakage and the efficient use of water' report, which is published annually. For further information Send an e-mail to enquiries@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk Contact our library on 0121 625 1361 Visit our website at www.ofwat.gov.uk May 1992 (Revised February 2005)  |
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