South East Water New supply nightmares

dariune

Hi all

I have just got planning permission to turn my house into two flats.

Everything is set except the water which is causing me massive headaches. After 4 months of trying to get them to send me a quote I finally have the quote.

The issue is; the mains is about half a mile away, up the walkway where my house is situated and at the end of the adjoining road.

They are stating that they only have to put the supply and meter to the edge of the road where the mains is. This as mentiones will put their new supply half a mile away.

They are then saying I have to pay to get a company to dig up the walkway and road to connect to it.

From what I understand reading the Ofwat site they are responsible for laying the pipework up the the boundary of my property and I am then responsible for my property.

Can I ask for advice and any information you guys might have on this (We are talking in the region of 10k+ cost if they have their way)

Thanks in advance

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think it is mandatory for a water company to supply, at their expense, water(and sewerage) to every dwelling. Otherwise a property out in the wilds, 10 miles from civilisation, could demand they were put on mains water.

There must be a supply to the house. Is the pipe/pressure too small/low to take a feed from just before your meter?

dariune

Many thanks

Yes there are several houses on my walkway and all of us already have one supply.

No I think the supply would be adequate to just split it and put in a second meter but SE Water have said for it to be a legal flat it has to have a new pipe going back to the mains. They are unwilling to split the pipe and put in a second meter (I have really tried to push that as an option. Their surveyor even said it was the best option)

Oooh just noticed the "Newbie" image. I like it

Cardew

It might be worth contacting the Consumer Council for Water for advice; their remit is to look after consumer's interests and they are very helpful.

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/

deanos

even if the lay it to your boundary you would have to pay for it, you cant tap into an existing supply either