Pre 1935 lead pipe replacement

greggers1

Hi,

I recently bought a property to find it had a lead pipe running underground from the mains and into house. I had the water tested to find that pipe definitely needs replacement, as the lead level was over 30 times above the regulation limit. The water board will pay for the replacement from the mains to the garden boundary but I will have to cover the cost for the remaining pipe. However, having researched this on the internet I came across this web site

www .articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/replacing-your-lead-piping-with-mdpe-pipe-589546.html

(Cant submit a link )

That states:

"Fundamentally it boils down to liability, if the homeowner wants to replace their existing pipe with MDPE they will have to pay for the entire system up to the junction with the mains supply; this is unless the pipe work within the property is pre 1935, any pipes before this period will be replaced at the expense of the water board"

I think the pipe at our house was laid before 1935, so according to this the waterboard should be responsible for all of the replacement. I enquired with the waterboard about this but they were not aware of it. At the moment I have nothing but a website reference to back up my claim, I have tried to find more information to no avail.

I was hoping some MSE'rs may be able to find additional information about either the law/act about pre 1935 lead pipe replacement.

Thanks in advance

Greggers

Dharri5

greggers1 wrote: »

Hi,

I recently bought a property to find it had a lead pipe running underground from the mains and into house. I had the water tested to find that pipe definitely needs replacement, as the lead level was over 30 times above the regulation limit. The water board will pay for the replacement from the mains to the garden boundary but I will have to cover the cost for the remaining pipe. However, having researched this on the internet I came across this web site

www .articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/replacing-your-lead-piping-with-mdpe-pipe-589546.html

(Cant submit a link )

That states:

"Fundamentally it boils down to liability, if the homeowner wants to replace their existing pipe with MDPE they will have to pay for the entire system up to the junction with the mains supply; this is unless the pipe work within the property is pre 1935, any pipes before this period will be replaced at the expense of the water board"

I think the pipe at our house was laid before 1935, so according to this the waterboard should be responsible for all of the replacement. I enquired with the waterboard about this but they were not aware of it. At the moment I have nothing but a website reference to back up my claim, I have tried to find more information to no avail.

I was hoping some MSE'rs may be able to find additional information about either the law/act about pre 1935 lead pipe replacement.

Thanks in advance

Greggers

It seems like an interesting point, about the pipe being pre 1935. I wonder why the website states its the water authorities responsibility if it is before this date? I would be really interested to find out.

I work for a water company albeit not in an operational role but my understanding has always been upto the boundry box is the responsibility of the water company and after the boundry box is the responsibility of the homeowner.

gem599

Hi, the pre-1935 rule definitely applies for sewers... sewers that serve houses built before 1935 are called 'section 24 sewers' (i assume it is a reference to the piece of law that states this).
So if you had a problem on your sewer then it would be the water company's responsibility to repair/replace, but if it was newer then a homeowner would need to call a company like dyna-rod.

I have never thought to ask about how this relates to water but I assume it is the same! I will see what I can find out.

Got a lead... it's something to do with the '1936 Public Health Act'!!

greggers1

Thanks for the information Dharri and Gem,

I couldnt find any more information about this so suspect I am liable for replacing the pipes within our boundary. I have now paid for the replacement upto the boundary and should hopefully have lead free water. :j

James

lapat

the webiste in question i think may be getting mixed up with the 1935 sewer rule. the water company is only liable to the boundary of your property and then its is upto the homeowner if they want to change there internal pipework. these guidlines can be found with the water regulators i.e watervoice, consumer council for water

onestop_2

greggers1 wrote: »

Thanks for the information Dharri and Gem,

I couldnt find any more information about this so suspect I am liable for replacing the pipes within our boundary. I have now paid for the replacement upto the boundary and should hopefully have lead free water. :j

James

Hi James, I'm just about to have my lead pipes replaced, would you mind letting me know how much you paid?

Thanks onestop

tandraig

in wales welsh water under lead pipe replacement scheme will replace and connect from main to boundary free if owner replaces from internal stop tap to boundary
to onestop
BTW OH has worked for water authority for about 20 years -from digging the holes to customer service inspector and now leakage inspector so he does know what hes talking bout
my OH recemmends you get three quotes from three diff plumbers or if you are handy DIY its not diff. the local water board can advise on what depth etc. any plumbers merchants or even B&Q can supply materials