Pipe in garden

mimesedit

We are building a small house via planning permission at the back of our property.

On digging we have come across a neighbors pipe that runs across our garden, this looks likely to be a private surface water drain that was placed there without permission (well council permission as we never seen on our drainage water services planning maps). 
My question is, if not shown on the water services maps, can I assume this is not planned and was maybe laid there in the past after approval from the previous owner?

Also, do I need to move this or would this need to be moved by the neighbor? As we are digging i don't think it should be too much cost/hassle.

I guess there is also the option of protecting and building over but if something happens later on, I guess we would then have to ask the neighbor to fix at there cost (or would this be our cost?)

Feedback welcome. Thanks

sydthebeat

mimesedit wrote: »

I guess there is also the option of protecting and building over but if something happens later on, I guess we would then have to ask the neighbor to fix at there cost (or would this be our cost?)

Feedback welcome. Thanks

thats outlawed according to Irish Water

No building may be constructed over the line of a Wastewater Sewer, service connection or Drain, in accordance with the Section 29 of the Public Health Act 1878 and the Water Services Act;

https://www.water.ie/connections/Code-of-Practice-for-Wastewater-Supply.pdf

page 33 here

mimesedit

Thanks for your response.

I guess my next question is, if this pipe is not on the water supply map, can I assume its there through agreement and maybe it needs to be moved by the owner and not us? 

I.e. if not declared to Authorities (Assuming this is the case as not mapped), is this an obstruction to our plans that needs to be addressed by the neighbor?

Thanks

sydthebeat

mimesedit wrote: »

Thanks for your response.

I guess my next question is, if this pipe is not on the water supply map, can I assume its there through agreement and maybe it needs to be moved by the owner and not us? 

I.e. if not declared to Authorities (Assuming this is the case as not mapped), is this an obstruction to our plans that needs to be addressed by the neighbor?

Thanks

first off, what you need to do is determine:
1. where the pipe originates from
2. where the piPe discharges to
3. what the use of the pipe is ie foul water, storm water or combined.
4. if the pipe is serving more than 1 dwelling

its only when youve resolved these questions can you plan your next move

mimesedit

Thanks again, I have a feel its serving a utility room so it would be waste water I guess.
We have had planning approved and with this the water/drainage plans were submitted and reviewed. Can I assume on this basis that the pipe might not be permitted or am I getting ahead of myself i.e. the pipe is not in the water services maps

mimesedit

Also, I think its running to our combined sewer which then runs out to the front of the property.

sydthebeat

The 4 questions above still apply, and until youve them all answered its quite hard to offer you any further advice

mimesedit

Thanks for the feedback.. I guess more research is needed then. :)

T-Maxx

The good news is if it's a private drain you're allowed to build over it.

Gumbo

mimesedit wrote: »

Thanks for your response.

I guess my next question is, if this pipe is not on the water supply map, can I assume its there through agreement and maybe it needs to be moved by the owner and not us? 

I.e. if not declared to Authorities (Assuming this is the case as not mapped), is this an obstruction to our plans that needs to be addressed by the neighbor?

Thanks

Private drains are not on any of the public maps.

mimesedit

Thanks all.. I guess if private the likelihood is we will build over it and protect

funkey_monkey

Can you re-route it so that it is not underneath your new build?

_Brian

funkey_monkey wrote: »

Can you re-route it so that it is not underneath your new build?

Do this !!

If it's possible at all don't build over it. The hassle down the road if there are any problems aren't worth the risk.

For instance if even a little subsidence occurs as a result of the work a dip in the pipe may result in frequent blockages and endless heartache for everyone.

funkey_monkey

Agreed, I'd be very nervous about having a pipe going under my property.
Most builds I've seen or been involved with the pipes (belonging to the property) are got to the exterior ASAP and then routed externally to their destination. Even if that means going around half the property.

For instance if even a little subsidence occurs as a result of the work a dip in the pipe may result in frequent blockages and endless heartache for everyone

A bit of subsidence could also result in a cracked pipe and all the cost of digging up and rectifying would be upon you.
Your new property might have to settle on its founds and this could result in the above occurring. Could be a nightmare by the time you realise what has happened.

mimesedit

Thanks all for the insightful feedback.. Does re-routing need to go through official bodies or can this be done on the fly via the builder? Also, has anyone done this before? It does make sense and I have no problem digging up the garden if it avoids future heartache.

Also, if (assuming the latter) the pipe did run under the house and issues occurred, is the expense shared between the people that share the pipe or is the cost solely on us to dig/resolve?

Thanks

Johnnyhpipe

In my experience:

Simply divert it within your site.

No local authority permission needed if private.

Provide new inspection/rodding point each side of diversion.

Ensure adequate falls... don't end up with blockages upstream that are now all your fault!

You pay for this diversion.

mimesedit

Thanks again for the feedback.. The builder is proposing keeping in place and providing an AJ/gully access point at the side of the build.. Does this sound like a viable solution do you think?

Johnnyhpipe

mimesedit wrote: »

Thanks again for the feedback.. The builder is proposing keeping in place and providing an AJ/gully access point at the side of the build.. Does this sound like a viable solution do you think?

It has been done before.... but only if you've no other option. Best to divert if you can. You don't want the hassle of dealing with a leaking surface water sewer beneath your foundations in 10 years time.

mimesedit

Thanks for the insight all.. Diversion seems like the obvious and best route.. Cheers:)

funkey_monkey

Yes, I'd recommend that you push for diverting it too.
Good luck with the building process.

funkey_monkey

Hi OP, what option did you go for in the end?