Hi all, so as the above states my neighbours have a temporary (no idea how long)
We recently bought the house back in October and had the survey etc. the house is an end of terrace where the front was very big and sold off many years ago to build a second house. The house in question has been there since 2008ish and has it stated on the planning permission that there must be a mains water supply. The supply for their property is a small qualplex pipe coming from my house.
I have met the neighbours who are having a major rebuild due to a fire and I mentioned that this needs to be rectified with Uisce Eireannas per the original planning permission. They had said it would take 3 months, This was back in November and I’m pretty certain they have done nothing. I had a chat with them again today to see where they’re at with the water and mentioned I will need to shut it off and will not be in a position to reinstate it. They then said it would be another 14 weeks until Uisce Eireann can connect them. Currently my property is vacant due to works and my fear is that the pipe may freeze and I could end up having a flooded house.
They are looking to move back into the house in the coming weeks and obviously need water. I’m aware that there can potentially be legal issues by restricting their water if that has been the only connection they have had over that last number of years. I have contacted UE to get clarification on this and hopefully expedite the works on their end.
I’m hoping some here may have had the same issues and can advise on the best course to take
No real advise OP, but just from working in the construction industry, Uisce Eireann have massive lead in times to do anything so I wouldn’t think the neighbours are trying to pull the wool over your eyes in that regard
Uisce eireann don't know how long it'll take, I guarantee it. I've seen them say 3 months only for it to come and go again and again.
You could install a flood alarm so you catch any flooding immediately, but man, if they've put in the application then it's anybody's guess as to how long it might take. UE sure as fuck don't know
Not legal advice but UE take F’ing ages. Also unless you’re turning off your mains and draining your pipes the flow of water into the neighbours will improve chances of not freezing.
While it is advisable to keep on good terms with neighbours its a bit mad and embarassing that their house has been there since 2008 and this water issue has still not been resolved.
From what information you've provided it appears they have only contacted UE because your on their case, so you'll unfortunately have to keep pressure on them to keep them honest.
UE was only established in 2013 (as Irish Water). Most of the shitshow is stuff they inherited from 10s if not 100s of entities with inconsistent processes - so not really that surprising. 😢
Still a incredibly long time to sit on it and not push it. Been on plenty of cowboy jobs and they tend stay unresolved this long due to owner not addressing it until their forced to.
Oh 💯.
Plumber here. Very unlikely your pipes will freeze within the house. The wind chill is really what causes pipes to freeze and burst. It would have to get drastically cold for pipes to burst within the house. I assume its a black pipe feeding your neighbours house. Probably not a terrible idea to insulate it if you're worried about that bursting but they are rated for cold temperatures.
It’s a standard tan qualplex feeding their house
The supply to most houses can be cut off under the kitchen sink….just turn off the valve. Neighbours not affected. Simple
I don't see the problem. If the pipes were to freeze, they would freeze outside not inside. Which is an Irish water problem. If you were to cut off the water now in the middle of a refurbishment it would cause an awful lot of unnecessary trouble for your neighbour. That's a fuck off and don't look or speak to me again kind of situation. Do you want to start off with a new neighbour this way?
Irish water only have responsibility for pipes in areas which are public ownership such as streets and pathways. If a pipe burst in your garden or driveway, you are responsible for the cost of repair.
I thought they had promised to fix the first leak on your property and after that it was on you? Something I remember from the beginning of Irish Water.
We were told that if the damage we had was inside the gate line, it was on us. If it was outside the gate line, Irish Water were responsible. Thankfully, it was 6 inches on the best side of the gate line. We initially got a private company out to survey the pipes and with the information provided - and with a lot of trepidation - we contacted Irish Water.
Despite all the gloom and doom, we found Irish Water phenomenally helpful.
No I definitely don’t, but I don’t want them fobbing it off either as they have a requirement to have their own mains. The line to their house is coming out of a hole from my wall and the house as it currently stands is the same temperature inside as it is outside and I could really do with out the hassle of flooding myself. I have reported it to UE in hopes that it may speed things up up on their end but it’s delaying works for me
Get it in writing from your neighbor that if there's any damage to your property from freezing etc that they will pay for tne entire repair.
Uisce Eireann can take ages. A friend was told four months for an agreement, it took nearly 8. Then UI lost the payment, it is now 3 months later and they haven't progressed, despite all further information.. Your neighbour is likely not fobbing you off. On your property, find out where their water is being taken off (Teed) from.your supply If it is outside the house, there may still be another stop-cock/valve underneath your sink or closeby, so you can shut off your house, without blocking them. Failing that, explain the situation and ask them to get their plumber to arrange that you can shut off your house completely and they still have a temporary supply. This is two valves where the pipes are joined/split.
This is the best technical and political solution. Protect your house from damage while keeping the neighbours running.
I don’t want make a bitter relationship and want to work with them. I’ll be meeting with during the week to see what we can work out so they can keep their water and we can continue the work we need to do.
They've had over 15 years to engage UE, this is 100% on them.
I don't see how there were be legal issues given its your supply, there's no obligation for you to continue to supply them water.
When I was looking at getting a water connection I was told it would be months before they even looked at the paperwork. It's not unreasonable to think they are telling the truth. I ended up having a well drilled instead.
To add insult to injury I was working for UE at the time.
Why can't they get a tanker delivered to top up their own potable storage tank on their own land. Why would you have any legal responsibility?
This comment is so terminally online, it should be in the dictionary. Shut off his neighbour's water and insist on a water storage tank, just because.
There are solutions available that can cost very little, why is it someone else's problem? Will the neighbour pay for repairs for the water damage due to a leak?
In the real world people work together to find solutions.
Would you do the same if we had water meters? The neighbour likely has had months to find a solution but is more than happy to wait on Irish water to drag their feet because they have no incentive to get off the temporary supply. How about the new home owner arranged for a plumber to put in a couple of valves so that he can turn off the supply into his own house while allowing the neighbour to still have supply? Would you be happy for the neighbour to pay for all costs there? There are 2 options. Tell the neighbour you will no longer be allowing a supply through your own system for fear of water damage to the house is unoccupied and that you give them a period of time to set up their own potable tank and tanker delivery Arrange a plumber to pipe it with valves to secure the home owners own house. These are reasonable solutions.
But we don't have water meters
its not that cold OP, chill out. if your worried put the heat on timed for an hour in the evening, you can probably isolate most of your own house if you find a few valves without effecting the neighbors supply.