Diversion of Irish Water combined sewer

Sunset75

Hi, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice.
We wanted to build a two storey extension to the side of the house. Applied for planning, they got back looking for permission from Irish Water as there is a 300mm combined sewer which would run under the extension.
Irish water said we can't build over it but could divert.
We got an engineer who drew plans to divert from front garden out onto green area and away from extension.
I.W. said no, it had to be diverted from the house across the road. They are really milking it. Engineer reckons it will cost at least 30,000 euros.
We can't afford it. I.W. want us to pay for it all. We could barely afford the extension but this is a game changer. We needed the space for the kids and it's a small house at the moment. Looks like we can't build now.
The pipe is about 45 years old. There is no wayleave or easement registered, I asked the solicitor.
Is there anything we can do? It is their pipe and is on private property. Should they not pay? It's so unfair how they can get away with it.
Anyone had any similar experiences?

Thanks

Calahonda52

re think the extension

Sunset75

Calahonda52 wrote: »

re think the extension

Problem is, we are caught everywhere. If we extend on the back instead of the side, we are still not 3 meters from manhole at bottom of garden. It is not a long back garden and to extend would eat up the space. Also, wouldn't like to impose a two storey on the neighbour and block the light. The side would have been ideal for the plot we are on and it is an end house so not encroaching on neighbours.

Gumbo

Sunset75 wrote: »

Hi, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice.
We wanted to build a two storey extension to the side of the house. Applied for planning, they got back looking for permission from Irish Water as there is a 300mm combined sewer which would run under the extension.
Irish water said we can't build over it but could divert.
We got an engineer who drew plans to divert from front garden out onto green area and away from extension.
I.W. said no, it had to be diverted from the house across the road. They are really milking it. Engineer reckons it will cost at least 30,000 euros.
We can't afford it. I.W. want us to pay for it all. We could barely afford the extension but this is a game changer. We needed the space for the kids and it's a small house at the moment. Looks like we can't build now.
The pipe is about 45 years old. There is no wayleave or easement registered, I asked the solicitor.
Is there anything we can do? It is their pipe and is on private property. Should they not pay? It's so unfair how they can get away with it.
Anyone had any similar experiences?

Thanks

It’s a standard process to leave a way leave around public sewers and a 300mm pipe is a decent size.

Have you actually got a quote from IW before ranting about them milking it?

Sunset75

kceire wrote: »

It’s a standard process to leave a way leave around public sewers and a 300mm pipe is a decent size.

Have you actually got a quote from IW before ranting about them milking it?

Sorry but I don't think its fair that they want us to take on all the costs. If they had even paid half to move it. The engineer I had to draw up the diversion even thought they were totally unreasonable as his plan would have cleared the 3 m distance from the extension. I. W. were adding on twice the length of the diversion.

Gumbo

Sunset75 wrote: »

Sorry but I don't think its fair that they want us to take on all the costs. If they had even paid half to move it. The engineer I had to draw up the diversion even thought they were totally unreasonable as his plan would have cleared the 3 m distance from the extension. I. W. were adding on twice the length of the diversion.

Sorry, but you want to build over a pipe that is in place before you.
Did you get an exact cost or was it just the engineers opinion that it will cost €30k?

Vim Fuego

I got a quote from an engineer for about half that to divert a sewer. Thing is, I won’t know the actual cost until real quotes start coming in.

From my experience, you will have to divert unless you can change your extension plans. You will have to show a diversion that complies with IW rules on your plans in order to get planning permission.

The best case scenario is that IW might come to an agreement to relax the 3m wayleave somewhat but you’re talking about diverting from a neighbours land which is yet another complication.

Good luck - I’ve been there and am still going through the process. It takes a long time.

Sunset75

Vim Fuego wrote: »

I got a quote from an engineer for about half that to divert a sewer. Thing is, I won’t know the actual cost until real quotes start coming in.

From my experience, you will have to divert unless you can change your extension plans. You will have to show a diversion that complies with IW rules on your plans in order to get planning permission.

The best case scenario is that IW might come to an agreement to relax the 3m wayleave somewhat but you’re talking about diverting from a neighbours land which is yet another complication.

Good luck - I’ve been there and am still going through the process. It takes a long time.

Thanks for the reply. Got a quote for 37,393 euros which does not include the road opening licence.Diverting from neighbours has added on a substantial distance for the diversion. My engineer drew up perfectly good plans to divert from our front garden which would have moved the pipe the required 3 m distance from the new extension but of course, Irish Water make it as awkward and expensive as they can. Well, we will not be proceeding seeing as they want us to pay for it all. Hope you have better luck with coatings.