Main Stopcock Shared - Require Info

[willmington]

The main stopcock to my terraced house is located in the pavement outside my house under a cover (I do have a separate stopcock under my sink).

I have a water meter which is situated adjacent to the stopcock (ie on pavement under cover).

I discovered a while ago that the stopcock which shuts off the water supply to my house (ie the one under the cover in pavement) is linked to the water supply of the next terrace.

For total clarity, by 'linked' I mean that if the stopcock in the pavement is turned off then the water supply to both houses is shut off.

I wanted to separate this closing mechanism so that each terrace will be independent of each other.

As stated above, I have a water meter but the adjacent terrace seemingly does not (or at least there is no sign of it where my meter is situated).

I did speak to CS of my water utility and the person I spoke to said that a shared stopcock was not unusual in this instance and that installing a second stopcocks (one for each house) could be done.

Has anybody on these forums gone through such a process. I am trying to get an idea of time required, cost, plus any potential for aggro or issues that could arise.

I was also wondering if there were any pitfalls to be aware in such cases. Or is such a process relative hassle free?

I will be contacting the water utility again but would appreciate any info or insight to this process prior to calling them again.

Many thanks

 

[Agile]

The obvious question is why do you want to separate it?

Worn on pavements has to be done by Council approved contractors who are appointed by the water supply co.

The water co is not going to do this for free, or even at cost! They usually add a hefty profit to cover their admin costs and add to their balance sheet.

The contractor might charge about £130 and the water co probably make this up to about £380.

You must have a very good reason for this expense but I cannot guess why.

Since there is usually a shut off valve within the water meter housing anyway.

Tony

 

[willmington]

Agile said:
The obvious question is why do you want to separate it?....You must have a very good reason for this expense but I cannot guess why.

Two reasons as per below

1. Whenever the family next door need to shut off their water supply (ie a few months ago a new boiler was installed), they (the installers) turned off the main stopcock (under pavement) and my water was turned off.

I already mentioned to the owners next door that we share the stopcock but it does not seem to sink in. They keep saying that they cannot find the stopcock located in their house so that is the only way to turn of their water.

Furthemore, it is not as though I am pre-advised that someone from next door will be turning the water off. It is just turned off.

2. I have been informed by the same owners that they intend to do a major refurbishment to their property starting probably at the beginning of the new year. It is a large project (goodie, I am so happy..not) and the owners will be moving out for probably 8 months.

With this further eventuality, I can forsee many problems relating to the current issue (especially as the kitchen will be moved). I do not wish to have my water supply turned off repeatedly and with no warning when the builders are there.

Are these good enough reasons for my intended action. Or is there another solution?

Agile said:
Since there is usually a shut off valve within the water meter housing anyway

Not sure what you mean, sorry

Many thanks for your reply

Cheers

 

[adlplumbing]

one if you have a water meter at the stop tap outside then you need to inform uu
two they can not turn water off for long duration without your permission

 

[Agile]

Well based on that its clearly your neighbours who have the problem and not you!

They should pay for an independent stopcock.

I would expect that part of their work will be to fit a stopcock where the main enters their property.

You could take legal action against them to obtain an injunction against them to not turn off your water. You could start with a complaint to the Water co as it arises because no external stopcock was fitted ( although there is no obligation on them to so so ).

Inside your meter chamber there is usually a stopcock but thats only for turning off your supply.

Tony

 

[willmington]

adlplumbing said:
one if you have a water meter at the stop tap outside then you need to inform uu

Apologies for my stupidity but who/what is uu

adlplumbing said:
two they can not turn water off for long duration without your permission

Well maybe that is the case but nevertheless there is no consideration on their part. Last time the water was turned off the washing machine was on but luckily it did not seem to have caused any damage to it.

Cheers

 

[willmington]

Agile said:
They should pay for an independent stopcock.
I would expect that part of their work will be to fit a stopcock where the main enters their property.

Is this not the same as calling the water utility and getting another/a separate stopcock fitted (outside under pavement) for the adjacent terrace.

Agile said:
You could take legal action against them to obtain an injunction against them to not turn off your water. You could start with a complaint to the Water co as it arises because no external stopcock was fitted ( although there is no obligation on them to so so ).

Good to know but a bit heavy at this stage to correcting this major irritation. There is plenty of time for that later on, especially as my intention would also be for the owners of the adjacent terrace to foot the entire bill for this work.

Agile said:
Inside your meter chamber there is usually a stopcock but thats only for turning off your supply.

Pic below is of my water meter. The stopcock that shuts off water to both properties can also be seen (these are under pavement). Would this apply to my apparently older meter?

View media item 35719
Many thanks for any further info which you can provide

Cheers

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

These are a self contained unit, if that is shutting off yours and the neighbours supply then its likely the neighbours water usage is also being clocked up on your meter!

 

[willmington]

These are a self contained unit, if that is shutting off yours and the neighbours supply then its likely the neighbours water usage is also being clocked up on your meter!

Yes they are self contained units ie terraced houses single dwelling. I thought that at first (ie neighbours supply clocked on my meter) but this does not appear to be the case.

I have been at my property for quite some time and the water usage has been as it should be ie family of 4 generally using 450/500ltrs per day (which seems like norm). This amount has been pretty constant over a long term period.

The next door terrace (with whom there is this problem) are also 4 and I do not think it is conceivable that the water consumed by a total of eight people could be that low (especially knowing the neighbours).

Cheers

 

[picasso]

Tell your neighbour to have a internal stopcock fitted or the next time they turn it off you will turn it back on with no warning.

 

[adlplumbing]

uu = united utilteries or who ever is in charge of your water supply as your paying for their house as well as your own conntact them asap as you may be entiled to some money
if that stop tap stops both houses they should not of installed it

 

[Nige F]

Got it now 1 old stopcock isolates both properties - then on your branch is the meter/stopcock combo . The neighbours need to ask water co. for a meter - trust me it`s cheaper than water on house rates. Water co. will then fit a meter/tap combo like yours on Their branch - and you both have separate metered supplies and stopcocks Old original one just stays turned on. Southern water ? don`t take any bull from them - I had to force an issue with rainwater disposal from my house . They crumpled @ the second phone call

 

[Agile]

Good to know but a bit heavy at this stage to correcting this major irritation. There is plenty of time for that later on, especially as my intention would also be for the owners of the adjacent terrace to foot the entire bill for this work.Many thanks for any further info which you can provide

Cheers

The person who orders the work is responsible for paying!

I dont see any reason why your neighbour would want to pay £400 when its not causing him any problem.

Thats why the legal route may have to be used but try it first through your water co.

In fact you could probably successfully complain that they have allowed a situation wher your problems occur. They are more likely to come to a solution that your unhelpful neighbour.

As far as I can see the valve in your meter chamber will turn off whoever is supplied by the meter.

Try turning it off when you go out for the day or whenever you dont need any water for a while. Fill kettle first!

Tony

 

[adlplumbing]

agile water meter need to come out so she has to contact them anyway
and they may try dort it as good will gesture as op paying water bill for two or more houses due to cock up

 

[willmington]

Got it now 1 old stopcock isolates both properties - then on your branch is the meter/stopcock combo . The neighbours need to ask water co. for a meter - trust me it`s cheaper than water on house rates. Water co. will then fit a meter/tap combo like yours on Their branch - and you both have separate metered supplies and stopcocks Old original one just stays turned on.

Sounds like the correct explanation.

If the hexagonal nut adjacent to my water meter (under cover in pavement as seen in photo above ) is turned off, then this stops water to both properties.

I did not know that my water meter had a valve in the meter chamber so have never tried to turn it off to confirm.

So should my neighbour ask to have a water meter fitted to their branch of the water supply? Is that the best/easiest option? Would installing a water meter be free or would that incur a cost?

If I called my water supplier and asked them to send someone to come out and have a look in order to assess the situation, would the water supplier do this?

Cheers