Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Thank you so much for asking around for me Slainte caragh.
I am very grateful, I really do appreciate your help and advise.

There used to be between 4-6 people next door for years but for the last two years it's mainly 2 of them but their 2 grown up kids and grand child are regular visitors. Neither have any medical reason for more water useage. They both work, her a few hours a day him all day. I know when they could be bathing or it might be them using the washing machine or flushing the loo, I know when ANY of their plumbing is being used though because THE SMELL OF SEWER GAS RANCID PEWTRID VILE ODOR PERMEATES THE VERY FABRIC OF MY HOUSE EVERY TIME, I WILL HAPPILY PUT MY MONEY ON IT. I AM 100% CERTAIN. They bath or shower at night, I suspect they do have a power shower but not sure tbh.

I really do not have a clue how much their water bill is now, obviously less since the kids left, it may have been 40-60 a month back then. Mine used to be about 40 a month but now I am alone and very conservative with water use, it's gradually gone .down to 14 a month we are both on seperate water meters. Please feel to ask away, that;s not a problem.

I have not spoken to OFWAT yet, I will and I will write also, as I think the paper trail holds some weight.
I take onboard what you suggest re consumer council for water and local MP. Good glad water companies hate that, tight sods, how very dare they!? Besides BAD LUCK sww as I refuse to tolerate their utter lack of responsability and disregard as it leaves me in a health compromising situation that I live in and it's no fault of mine that I am having that horrid sewer gas from NEXT DOOR billowing around me! in my home, I've spent weeks, no actually MONTHS toiling over trying my best to get to the bottom of this for 20 years, I dread to think how much money I've wasted on just trying to keep my home warm and dry. Always have to let heat out and cold in to get THAT DISGUSTING SMELL OUT FOR A SMALL WHILE SO I CAN BREATH, this all breaks my heart, it is ruining my life. Hahhaaa am intrigued about the regulation that's coming their way, sounds good, nice one, mums the word

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Yes this is exactly what I have been thinking.
The thing is when they've been round, they walk round my house for a minuet or so, state THEY CAN'T SMELL IT, and I know that at that point they have made their tiny little pea sized minds up that I don't know what I am talking about, so no need to to go all out searching for the source of the odor. It's happened many times before once with EH, he couldn't smell it so he was effectively calling me liar. AM OUTRAGED STILL NOW! I know what I am talking about, I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 20 YEARS!! OMG! I reiterated that nx dr not in now so smell won't be evident, BUT when they are in AND USE ANY PLUMBING THEN YOU CAN SMELL IT. Well he looked at me as though I was insane! I can't deal with idiots ANYMORE. No one listens to what I explain. I am getting wafts of my neighbours rancid sewer backdrafting as I type, and it's really hard for me to not go stark staring mad, that smell is the most disgusting awful sickening odor ever, I can taste it

[wales01man]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

under new legislation (2011) made water companies responsible for the sewerage pipes.

Transfer of private sewers

On 6 September 2010 the government decided that most private sewers, lateral drains and pumping stations that form part of the sewer or lateral drain that connect to the public sewer network should be transferred to the ownership of the regulated sewerage companies in England and Wales.
Schedule of transfers

• [*=1]Private sewers and lateral drains that were connected to the public sewer before 1 July 2011 were transferred on 1 October 2011.

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/publication...rivate-sewers/

this needs pointing out to the company although drawings show not all pipework on private is down to company

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

I will drag sww in kicking and screaming if I have to, what are they playing at? I mean grow up it's a business not a play ground.
I told the bloke from sww who's dealing with this now that I will take all my info and facts as to where they are at fault and will happily get it in touch with as many newspapers and the local tv channels that I can. There are acts and requirements that they have the power and responsibility to rectify, sort out, enforce etc etc. Makes me wonder kind of individuals they employ these days, it's just not good enough, not by a long stretch and it just won't do.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Thank you so much for asking around for me Slainte caragh.
I am very grateful, I really do appreciate your help and advise.

There used to be between 4-6 people next door for years but for the last two years it's mainly 2 of them but their 2 grown up kids and grand child are regular visitors. Neither have any medical reason for more water useage. They both work, her a few hours a day him all day. I know when they could be bathing or it might be them using the washing machine or flushing the loo, I know when ANY of their plumbing is being used though because THE SMELL OF SEWER GAS RANCID PEWTRID VILE ODOR PERMEATES THE VERY FABRIC OF MY HOUSE EVERY TIME, I COULD HAPPILY PUT MY MONEY ON IT. I AM 100% CERTAIN. They bath or shower at night, I suspect they do have a power shower but not sure tbh.


. Hahhaaa am intrigued about the regulation that's coming their way, sounds good, nice one, mums the word

Ok I have as part of my professional arsenal, a chart that shows an average usage for the average Joe in a property.

I am quite happy to say, nope no leak at your place, £14 a month bang on where I think you should be. Your neighbours on the other hand.. now that's where things start to get interesting.

On the surface, it doesn't seem to be a leak, I know it seems absurd!! You say 40-60 when there were 4-6 people.. that is average for that amount of people and if they have regular visitors it is possible they are actually using the water.. so now my mind is racing... where are the puddles of water coming from??

There is one thing that can categorically solve this little enigma. It means a little bit of wheedling but I am sure they will agree to it if it means laying the leak issue to rest. Ask them to turn off the Internal Stop Valve and look at their meter. Is the number dial is moving, something's wrong!

PLEASE NOTE: There is a small dial in the centre of your meter with a tiny arrow, if that moves its ok.. that's water pressure, it's meant to do that!

Now, I am wondering if the reason you have water everywhere is more structural than leak related
[MENTION=30456]wales01man[/MENTION] you might be more specialist than I am, but am I right in thinking that this might be actual rain water collecting and seeping through the foundations due to a, to quote the OP, botch job development?? That would account for the rank smell and the stagnant water pools?

DO NOT under any circumstances stop your fight though, keep at em!! Better to be safe that sorry my love!

. Hahhaaa am intrigued about the regulation that's coming their way, sounds good, nice one, mums the word

Deregulation basically means in approximately 1-2 years water companies are going to be able to chose their own suppliers! Water companies are a bit touchy about it and don't like being reminded about it.. so that to my mind means.. REMIND THEM!!

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Thank you wales01man,
I spoke of this with sww. They sent me the standard blurb with pictures to show me who is responsible for what pipes and I said my problem does not fit any of your diagrams and I insisted on getting his email so I coul get my diagram to him to look at, also I will beprinting off my whole inital query with my photos and diagrams and giving a copy to whoever (water or sewer) get sent to my place first, and then who ever gets here second can have a copy as well.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

of course.. you could stop dealing with customer services and email the Big Man instead...

South West Water
Dr Stephen Bird	Managing Director
Email	sbird@southwestwater.co.uk

Mentioning Health and Safety Executive, Environmental Health, your local MP and your local news program will never hurt either!

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

I have tried this with the neighbour some 4 years or so ago, but in my naivety, we only turned them off for half an hour and well it proved nothing. BUT then I read that locating a long standing tiny little leak is actually much harder to locate than you would think and the advice for that was to turn the stop cock off for a whole weekend, then not to rely on the numbers but to closely inspect the very tiny wheel on the meter for movement. If they would go away on holiday for a weekend I'd do it to both our stop cocks

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Now I do like the sound of that.
Right my mind is set, if I don't get any descent responce from sww this week and a call from clear water team, I will go straight to mr big. Thank you for the info Slainte caragh

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

if you need some help with the wording, gimme a shout.

I know how to speak his language!

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

there is no problem with my drains on my land. All this trouble is beacuse THE NEIGHBOURS MAINS WATER AND SEWER ARE ON MY LAND AND RUN UNDER MY FOUNDATIONS, I'VE GOT 5 SEWER MANHOLES ALL WITH IN A FOOT OR SO OF my HOUSE FOUNDATIONS AND THEY ARE NOTHING TO DO WITH MY PROPERTY

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You do? Now that will be very handy, I will take you up on that soon slainte

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Thank you slainte, am a bit allover the place on here, this is the first time I've ever posted on a forum, been contemplating for a few years as I knew my post was going to be long and complex. sww sending out clean water team then after that at some point (and it better be soon) sewer team.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Don't worry, wait for SWW to call you and see what they say.
Mention the Consumer Council for Water and the Ombudsman, tell them that you don't need to wait for a deadlock letter as this has been ongoing for so long and that you will be contacting them for help too.

Sorry if I take a while to get back to you, I have 2 kids who are finding Youtube videos highly amusing so I must admit that they are taking my attention atm

[mylor13]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Hello slainte caragh,
Thank you so much for your advise and please do not apologise for taking time, I am very grateful for your input at anytime that fits with you. So far you have been a light at the end of a very dark tunnel for me, I really appreciate your valued input.
I found out this morning that next door have not only erected a one story building on their front garden, which breaks the restrictive covenant on the title deeds which says 'No part of the property lying to the front of the dwelling house shall at any time be used for the erection of any sheds or buildings' but they have had an out door jacuzzi tub installed. Am just looking in to it now and it would appear that they should have requested planning permission and am just checking what rules regarding their water usage or if they have to notify sww.

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Easy answer to this one is no.

They have a water meter so SWW couldn't care less. The actual stipulation is you may not have a swimming pool without a water meter. There is nothing else to do because you are charged appropriately and fairly. This is also the reason for their enormous bills!

I am starting to seriously doubt there is a water leak with the info you are providing, although there is something seriously wrong with the sewerage which SWW should be investigating.

To my professional mind- if I didn't know any back story- the facts are as follows

Occupiers- 2 full time. Usage = high.
Any reasons for high usage?
1: regular visits from friends and family.
2: one occupier their most of the time.
3: Jacuzzi tub

The minute you mentioned a jacuzzi it all clicked in to place.

If I may, and forgive me if it gets a bit funky it's how I was trained, I will show you my reasonings.

Average use of water (daily) per person = 0.14-0.21 units of water per day.
Based on a monthly spend of £50 per month (roughly) = yearly cost of £600. This is in line with 3-4 people's usage.
Based on this cost, I estimate the use to being in the region of 308 units of water per year.
If you split this over 365 days, for 2 people this works out as 0.42 units per day which is HUGE for 2 people, having said that there are regularly 4-6 people in the property and they have a jacuzzi? Nothing to see here I'm afraid!

I would concerntrate on the sewerage side of things. I am becoming more and more convinced this is more structural than water related, and if there IS a leak it's not coming from your immediate neighbour

[slainte caragh]

Re: Neighbours mains water supply and sewer leaking under my foundations

Bit of a busy day today, never worry about asking me for help! I have a limited speciality so it is a pleasure to know the answer for once

I will be afk for about 2 hours, school run and a presentation plus promised the kids a curry.. and I STILL haven't tackled the dishes (laaaaaazy Callie)

Don't worry I've not fallen out with you, and I'm not ignoring you will be back asap

Wish me luck