The existing water connection was in a neighbour’s field about 200m from our property. A single water meter fed all three of the original cottages. The water meter was located here because in the 1980’s when it was installed, this was as far as the water main reachedre is
The problem with this location is that it is on someone else’s property and we are responsible for the pipework from the meter to our house (even if someone else digs it up).
So we decided to have a new water connection. Cost? About £600. When I applied for the new connection, I assumed that this would include disconnecting the old connection. I was wrong. When I asked, it was going to cost around £1,000 to remove the old connection. That is more than the new connection itself! A large part of the disconnection cost is due to the traffic signals that are required on the road while the works are completed.
We told Yorkshire Water that they could leave the old connection there. We then had our plumber cap off the old pipework. This would stop anyone from accidentally turning the water supply back on.
Last week, I talked to Yorkshire Water about the old meter and it turns out that there is no charge for the old meter – it will be associated with our account, but this is no cost associated with it. Result! On this basis, I don’t know why I would have paid to have it removed. It isn’t inconveniencing me – in fact, it is on someone else’s land.
The old water meter (left above) is situated down a manhole about 200m from our property. It is actually located in someone else’s field. We are responsible for the pipework from the water meter to our house.
We have now cut the water pipe and capped it off. This just leaves about 300mm of pipe from the water meter to the cap. This will prevent any problems should someone accidentally turn the supply back on.