Shared water supply - lead pipe replacement

longwalks1

We are currently on a shared water main with 3 other houses (2 lots of semi detached).  1930’s build, old lead pipes.  One neighbour on the shared supply has had a couple of leaks in the last 3 or 4 years, in their overgrown garden and it’s taken over a week to locate their leak and get it fixed. In the meantime, we all suffer with almost zero water pressure. Frustrating.

I’ve been quoted between £2.5k and £3k to fit a new supply and meter from the main than runs out the front footpath.  Is there any way of reducing this cost?  Should Affinity Water be replacing old lead pipes anyway?

I need to get it done, just it’s quite an expense at present

theoretica

I believe, usually, if you replace all the lead your side of the meter the water board will replace their side.  But they won't do theirs if you haven't done yours.

longwalks1

Sorry I should of said, we don’t have a meter at the moment, still on water rates.  They came out to fit a meter when we moved in but access was very limited under our kitchen sink so they didn’t fit one. 

Carrot007

longwalks1 said:

Sorry I should of said, we don’t have a meter at the moment, still on water rates.  They came out to fit a meter when we moved in but access was very limited under our kitchen sink so they didn’t fit one. 

In that case replace meter with stop tap.

I got mine replaced in ,my previous home. But I replaced the run (10 metres (well actually a little bit more as I needed more pipe! But not much)) up to the house myself. It is not hard dig trench. put in pipe. (With my issue they still repalced but left it turned off at the tap becuase it would have just caused a flood!) got more the next day!)

I cannot belive your prices. What are you asking for?

Who are you asking?

A gardener could dig a trench if you could not. Pipe costs around £40 for 25 metres having a quick look. With three houses it would need some splitters and such but not a lot of cost there either.

Then a plumber to fix it into the houses. Not a hard job. Say £300 for all houses. A couple of hours.

Then water company fixes it at the road ot the stop tap.

Of course I guess you are asing the water company to do this, and in one day and they will charge a lot.

It's a cheap job if the houses can do without water for a few days is your answer. (and if you can do the other bits yourself of find people who will accomodate you once you have a date).

Jaybee_16

theoretica said:

I believe, usually, if you replace all the lead your side of the meter the water board will replace their side.  But they won't do theirs if you haven't done yours.

When I lived in London, we had old lead pipework connecting to the flat. Affinity Water installed new pipework along the street to the external stop tap (non-metered supply) but obviously not the lead based supply beyond that point.

longwalks1

Carrot007 said:

In that case replace meter with stop tap.

I got mine replaced in ,my previous home. But I replaced the run (10 metres (well actually a little bit more as I needed more pipe! But not much)) up to the house myself. It is not hard dig trench. put in pipe. (With my issue they still repalced but left it turned off at the tap becuase it would have just caused a flood!) got more the next day!)

I cannot belive your prices. What are you asking for?    
For the new supply pipe to be moled under 10m of block paved front driveway, then turn slightly and mole under a further 10m of concrete and paved side alleyway

Who are you asking? 
Thats the whole price quoted for by Afinity water, including all the application fees and new meter for myself only

A gardener could dig a trench if you could not. Pipe costs around £40 for 25 metres having a quick look. With three houses it would need some splitters and such but not a lot of cost there either.
One way into my kitchen is the 20m moled option as above, the other is under a new porcelain patio then next doors garden so out of the question. I'd of been happy to dig out myself, but not viable at all. Hence the rather large price tag

Then a plumber to fix it into the houses. Not a hard job. Say £300 for all houses. A couple of hours.

Then water company fixes it at the road ot the stop tap.

Of course I guess you are asing the water company to do this, and in one day and they will charge a lot.

It's a cheap job if the houses can do without water for a few days is your answer. (and if you can do the other bits yourself of find people who will accomodate you once you have a date).

Hopefully my reply has come out in italic print Carrot007?