Whose Pipe Is It?
Do you know who is responsible for correcting an issue with your water supply or drains? How about who’s responsible if you share a pipe with your neighbors? This useful guide will come in handy if you have such questions.
Have a Leak?
If your bill is unusually high due to a leak we want to make it right. Contact us and we’ll help.
Who’s Responsible
Homeowners’ responsibility
Water Pipes
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for the pipework up to the boundary of your property. This includes:
• The pipe that connects your home to the main water supply pipe.
• All water shutoff valves on your property (inside and outside)
• All of your home’s plumbing
If your water supply pipe passes through someone else’s property, it remains your responsibility. It is your responsibility if any of these pipes break or if you have poor plumbing in your house. Check to see whether your plumbing is covered by your home insurance or under another policy, before calling a plumber.
Drainage Pipes
If a blockage occurs in a drainage pipe or sewer, responsibility for repairing it is determined by where the problem is located.
Homeowners are responsible for:
• All of the pipes inside of the property. Toilets, sink drains, and any exterior guttering or pipes connected to the property.
• The portion of underground pipe that reaches a shared pipe or public sewer.
Joint homeowners’ responsibility
If you live in an older home, you may share a water supply pipe with your neighbors. If you aren’t sure if you share a water supply pipe with your neighbor, we can find out for you. If you experience low water pressure or flow from your taps when your neighbors are using water, this may be a sign that you and your neighbor share a water supply pipe. For this, you’re jointly responsible for the shared supply pipe.
The BRWA’s responsibility
We’re responsible for all of the piping beyond the boundary of your property.
Water Pipes
• Water mains
• Water shut-offs located in the road or in pavement
• Public sewers the pipe connecting to the boundary of your property.
Drainage Pipes
If a blockage occurs in a drainage pipe or sewer, responsibility for repairing it is determined by where the problem is located.
The BRWA is responsible for:
• Drains shared by multiple properties
• Drains outside of the property boundary
• Public sewers
