Water pipework - Anyone know the answer?!

catewithers

I have read through the water meters sticky but can't seem to find an answer there - apologies if it's elsewhere and I've missed it. Feel free to simply point me in the right direction.

I'm asking on behalf of my parents-in-law who are considering getting a water meter. Clearly this will be of great benefit to them as they will make considerable savings on their water bills. There is just one thing that's putting them off though.

They've been told that once you have a meter fitted you then become liable for the cost of any repairs that are necessary to the pipework outside of your property. Obviously they're concerned about the potential costs that they could end up incurring if this is true.

We had a water meter installed at our previous property and I don't recall this being an issue. Does anyone know anything about this?

ariba10

I do not see that having a water meter fitted can alter the liability as to who repairs the pipework.

Water meters are normaly fitted at the stopcock at the boundary of the property. But the can be fitted further in on the property.

The owner is usualy responsable for the pipework on the property itself.

Cardew

The 'official' position is that you are responsible for all pipework on your property(including grounds) - regardless of metered or not.

The difference being that if you are not metered a leak is less of a concern in that you are not paying for the leaking water.

In practice most water companies say in the 'small print' that they will repair the first leak free of charge.

If you search through this forum there have been a number of threads on this topic.

It isn't really a big problem and a number of water companies will insure you against that risk for a very small premium.

nomorec

Usually you are responsible for pipework on your property and the water company is responsible for it on public land
you can access the water company website and check to see what there position is they will have a charter

in scotland we pay infrastucture charges for upgrading of the water system which i would think gives the water company a responsibility to look after the pipes on public land.