Broken pipe? Who is responsible?

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Gilco2

1556 posts

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#114584 24-Feb-2013 14:15

Hi we live down a right of way with us at one side and 1 neighbour next door. Just noticed now water coming out of our concrete drive by the edge with the bitumen driveway. Obviously there is a water pipe from the road which appears to come down the center of the drive and then goes into a T to split off to the neighbours water meter on one side and our water meter on the other side. Because it is on the council side are they responsible. If they are careful they will be able to dig up the bitumen leaving the concrete drive in tact and then just hand dig approx 150 to 300 mm under the drive to get to the break. After 20 years I assume the T fitting has failed. If council pays do they also reseal that section of drive and reconcrete our part if they do break it up. I have rung and left message with council but being Sunday no one is there to answer

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freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#768511 24-Feb-2013 14:22

I would say every council experience would be different, so it would be a lot easier if you wee to post a bit more information - perhaps even WHERE ARE YOU?

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#768513 24-Feb-2013 14:24

well not much more information I can except yes I am at Papamoa.

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gzt

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#768514 24-Feb-2013 14:24

I don't know the answer. Imho, if the pipe has been laid down a right of way which is owned by all the neighbors then you will have to get together to resolve the issue. Imho usually council will be responsible only for issues which are not on your private property.

Edit: When the property was developed, imho it is likely the developer paid for the connection from the main to the property, not the council. Therefore it is your private property and your responsibility.

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#768515 24-Feb-2013 14:29

Well I know our boundary is where our concrete finishes and the neighbours where our concrete finishes and edge of the bitumen. As neither of our properties include the right of way I rightly or wrongly assumed the council owns the right of way. The council dont maintain the drive way apart from every 2 to 3 months drive down it and spray the curb of right of way for weeds.

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RunningMan

8963 posts

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#768520 24-Feb-2013 14:40

Have you looked at your local council's web site?

http://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council-services/water-drainage/water-supply/water-leaks.aspx

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#768522 24-Feb-2013 14:43

Call the council. They will do all the work and reinstate the grounds afterwards. I assume the water scheme is council owned and not a community initiative in Papamoa?

DarthKermit

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#768523 24-Feb-2013 14:44

Best that you phone your local council and see if they'll come fix ya leak, ASAP.

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Gilco2

1556 posts

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#768529 24-Feb-2013 15:06

chevrolux: Call the council. They will do all the work and reinstate the grounds afterwards. I assume the water scheme is council owned and not a community initiative in Papamoa?

hi yeah I phoned but just left a message on the answer phone. I used to repair all the machines they use so have seen where they excavate and am 99 % sure they wont have to dig the concrete only the bitumen part. Thanks for the inputs

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Oriphix

523 posts

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#768579 24-Feb-2013 19:42

Hi,

My work colleagues just had a similar situation where the pipe below the concert was broken and water was coming out.

They notified the watercare and they came and had a look to see where the problem was.

In her case the pipe that was broken it was on her property so she had to pay for it. However if that pipe is for something else then they might fix it.

They might be able to help you as if its your pipe they you should expect a massive water bill as that was the case in my colleagues case. However they worked it out and balanced the bill for water etc :) so don't worry to much.

I would say call watercare just to see what they say.

Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#768582 24-Feb-2013 19:52

Oriphix: Hi,

My work colleagues just had a similar situation where the pipe below the concert was broken and water was coming out.

They notified the watercare and they came and had a look to see where the problem was.

In her case the pipe that was broken it was on her property so she had to pay for it. However if that pipe is for something else then they might fix it.

I would say call watercare just to see what they say. They might be able to help you as if its your pipe they you should expect a massive water bill as that was the case in my colleagues case.

I looked on the council website and according to that it should be council. It is before both ours and neighbours water meters and their is no master meter by roadside. Going by diagrams and explanations on their website council is responsible. Heck if it wasnt I can easily dig that part by hand and have someone repair break as the water would need to be shut off somewhere. Then some coldmix and plate compactor to repair seal afterwards.

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Gilco2

1556 posts

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#770049 25-Feb-2013 18:49

hi, well all fixed just waiting for council to come back tomorrow to reseal the drive where they had to dig it up. It was close call who had to pay but since there is no parent meter at the roadside and the leak is on council side of our meter the council has to pay. We would have to pay if it was same as it is our end but had a parent meter. We all learnt something today. There are 2 separate pipes coming from the roadside water main. Not 1 as first thought. The leak was a straight joiner 20 years old. He showed me others of same design he has had to replace, all around the 20 year old mark. So all good in the end

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