Old pipes not fit for purpose

AilsOD

My mother is a retired land owner who is plagued with water bills. The supply pipes are over 40 years old and in bad condition. They were badly laid at the time as they are too close to the surface and they were brought through a neighbours land. This neighbor was not the landowner at the time and also now has this land leased. These pipes supply both the house and the land.

My mother has raised the issue with the local authority who claim it is Irish Waters problem. Irish water cannot seem to be contacted by phone so I am trying this method. Can you please tell me who is responsible for this and don't say my elderly mother as landowner she didn't lay the pipes nor is she the only landowner involved.

Irish Water: Amy A

Hi AilsOD,

Thanks for getting in touch. We'll be happy to help you with this.

AilsOD wrote: »

The supply pipes are over 40 years old and in bad condition.

Do you know if the supply pipes are connected to the public water mains? If not, this would not be Irish Water's responsibility. However, if they are connected to the public water mains and your mother is experiencing frequent water supply/quality issues, we can investigate the public water mains.

AilsOD wrote: »

They were badly laid at the time as they are too close to the surface and they were brought through a neighbours land. This neighbor was not the landowner at the time and also now has this land leased. These pipes supply both the house and the land.

If the supply pipe is not connected to the public water mains, we would advise that you liaise with the landowner of the neighbouring property and/or the Planning Department of your Local Authority to determine who is responsible for the supply pipe. Generally, supply pipes/service connections are the responsibility of the homeowner. Irish Water is solely responsible for the maintenance of the public water and wastewater infrastructure.

Please see here for more details on pipe maintenance responsibility.

We hope this helps. If you have any additional information that you would like to provide, feel free to send us a PM and we can follow up on this.

Kind regards,
Amy

AilsOD

Hi Amy,

Thank you for your reply. You have pretty much confirmed what I already knew. My mother is connected to the public mains via pipes that are over 40 years old and leaking but it is not Irish Water who are responsible for fixing/replacing them. I can now take this information to the local authority and try to engage them in discussion. As I explained my mother is elderly and that she is expected to deal with huge bills because the water connection is old, was badly installed over 40 years ago, is leaking and goes through land she doesn't own is beyond cruel but I will be advocating on her behalf with the local authority. At least now they can't fob me off the "contact Irish Water" line.

Irish Water: Daniel

Hi AilsOD, 

I'm glad to hear that the information provided is of some use to you and your mother. 

Please let us know if you have any further questions or if you require any more information from Irish Water. 

Have a great day, 

Thanks, 
Daniel