Responsibility for Water Pipes on Your Property
If you’re a homeowner in Sussex, one of the most confusing issues you can face is figuring out the responsibility for water pipes on your property. It usually becomes a problem only when something goes wrong, a sudden drop in pressure, an unexplained wet patch in the garden, or, in the worst cases, water bubbling up through the ground.
Knowing who is responsible for mains water pipes on your property can be the difference between getting a free repair from your water supplier or paying thousands for emergency groundworks. As specialists who work with underground water mains every day in Sussex, we’ve seen how often homeowners misunderstand where their responsibility starts and ends.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know. It’s written in clear, practical language based on real industry experience, local water authority rules, and UK guidelines from organisations like Ofwat and WaterSafe.
Why Sussex Homeowners Need to Understand Water Pipe Responsibility
Underground supply pipes are out of sight and often decades old. Many homes across Sussex, particularly in areas such as Worthing, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton, and Brighton, still rely on ageing metal supply lines or shallow-buried pipes that no longer meet modern standards.
A burst or leak on the wrong section of pipe can leave you with:
- A huge water bill
- A flooded garden or driveway
- Low pressure throughout the home
- Contaminated water from old lead pipes
- Thousands in repair costs
Southern Water and Ofwat both make it clear that some parts of the water network are the homeowner’s responsibility, while others belong to the water supplier. But unless you work in the industry, figuring out those boundaries can be confusing.
Who Is Responsible for Mains Water Pipes on My Property?
This is the question Sussex homeowners ask us more than almost anything else. The answer depends on where the pipe is located, not just whose land it passes through.
Here’s the simple rule:
The water company is responsible for the communication pipe up to the boundary stop tap.
You are responsible for the supply pipe from that point into your home.
Let’s break it down.
Water Supplier Responsibilities (Street Side)
Your local water authority, usually Southern Water for most Sussex postcodes, is responsible for:
1. The water main under the road
This is the large pipe serving your whole street. Any burst, pressure issue, or break here is fixed and paid for by the water company.
2. The communication pipe
This is the smaller pipe that branches from the main and runs toward your property. The water supplier usually maintains it up to the boundary stop tap or outside stopcock, sometimes called the “external stop tap”.
3. The water meter (if located outside)
If your meter is installed at the boundary or in a pavement box, the supplier owns and maintains it.
4. Street-side valves and stop taps
If the valve is on public land or pavement, it’s typically the supplier’s responsibility.
If a leak occurs on any of these sections, Southern Water will resolve it at no cost to the homeowner.
Homeowner Responsibilities (Property Side)
Once the pipe crosses the boundary, or once water has passed through your meter, it becomes your legal and financial responsibility.
This includes:
1. Your underground supply pipe
This is the pipe that runs from your boundary stop tap to your internal plumbing. If it leaks or bursts, repairing or replacing it is solely on you.
Many Sussex homes have long supply pipes (sometimes 20–40 metres), especially properties with driveways or large front gardens, making repairs more expensive.
2. All internal plumbing
Everything inside your home, pipework, fittings, isolation valves, taps, and appliances.
3. Private stop taps
If you have an internal stopcock where the pipe enters your home, that is also your responsibility.
4. Any private meter or sub-meter
If you have chosen sub-meter installation for renting arrangements or separate annexes, you own and maintain that.
5. Lead pipes
If your property still uses old lead supply pipes, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to remove and replace them. For safe and modern replacements, many homeowners choose Lead water pipe replacement, which also improves water quality and pressure.
Where the Confusion Usually Happens
Even though the rule is simple, homeowners still get confused because of:
1. The location of the boundary stop tap
Sometimes the stop tap is:
- Hidden under the soil
- Located behind a garden wall
- Inside a shared driveway
- Installed on older properties in unusual positions
2. Shared supply pipes
Older homes in Brighton, Hove, Hastings, Arundel, and older terraced streets often share a single supply pipe. In those cases:
- The shared section is jointly owned
- All homeowners must contribute to repairs
- Private replacement may require joint permission
In these cases, the best long-term solution is a new Mains water pipe replacement to give each home its own independent feed.
3. Private land that looks public
We see many Sussex properties where the boundary is not where the homeowner thinks it is. The pipe may technically be on private land even if it looks like pavement.
4. Unknown pipe routes
Many homes built before 1970 have pipe routes that were never properly documented. Pipes may cross a neighbour’s property, run diagonally through a garden, or pass near tree roots.
If you discover your supply pipe runs through an awkward or vulnerable route, a modern Water main upgrade is often recommended.
How to Tell Which Pipe Section You Are Responsible For
To avoid guesswork, here are steps every Sussex homeowner should take:
1. Identify your external stop tap
Usually located:
- At your property boundary
- In a small box with a hinged lid
- Sometimes under gravel or turf
Everything after this point is yours.
2. Check your water meter location
If the meter is:
- In the pavement: water supplier responsibility ends here
- Inside your home, responsibility extends up to your foundation wall
3. Check your property boundary plan
Your deeds or land registry documents will show where your boundary officially starts.
4. Ask Southern Water
They will confirm where their part ends and yours begins. Their teams deal with these enquiries daily.
5. Get a professional assessment
If unsure or you suspect a leak, contractors like us use:
- Listening equipment
- Ground microphones
- Tracer gas
- Pressure testing
This forms part of our Water supply pipe repairs and Water leak emergency repair Sussex services.
What Causes Water Pipe Failures on Private Property?
Several issues can cause leaks or bursts, especially in older Sussex properties.
1. Ageing or corroded pipes
Many homes still use:
- Old copper
- Galvanised steel
- Polyethylene from the 1970s
These weaken over time.
2. Lead pipes
Still common in central Brighton, Worthing, and Crawley. They are unsafe and should be replaced using Lead water pipe replacement services.
3. Tree root intrusion
Roots seek moisture and can crack or crush underground pipes.
4. Ground movement
Soil expansion, drought, and frost cause shifting.
5. Poor installation depth
Pipes must be buried deep enough to prevent freezing.
6. Incorrect DIY repairs
Homeowners often attempt temporary fixes that worsen the problem.
7. Increased household demand
New bathrooms, extensions, or larger households put strain on old pipework.
If you notice low pressure, we also provide Mains water pipe replacement and Moling contractors in West Sussex for modern trenchless installations.
What To Do If the Problem Is on Your Side of the Supply Pipe
If the leak or burst is on the homeowner’s side, here’s what you should do:
1. Turn off the internal stopcock
This prevents further flooding.
2. Try shutting the external stop tap
If accessible, this stops water at the boundary.
3. Call a specialist immediately
We provide 24/7 Burst pipe repair services and Water leak emergency repair in Sussex for urgent situations.
4. Document everything
Photos may help with insurance claims.
5. Avoid digging yourself
Homeowners often dig into:
- Gas lines
- Fibre broadband
- Electrical ducts
Groundworks should always be handled professionally.
How Professional Repairs Work
When requested, we carry out a structured repair process:
1. Leak detection
Using acoustic tools, tracer gas, or pressure tests.
2. Assessing pipe condition
Determines whether repair or replacement is better.
3. Trenchless moling
We often use mole technology for fast, low-disruption pipe replacement. For this, homeowners choose our Moling contractors in West Sussex service.
4. New pipe installation
We typically install modern MDPE pipes with improved durability and flow.
5. Testing and reinstatement
We restore your ground surface once complete.
Why Upgrading Supply Pipes Is Worth It
An upgrade solves common issues such as:
- Low water pressure
- Contaminated water from lead pipes
- Frequent leaks
- Shared supply arrangements
- Increased household water usage
Homeowners who want long-term reliability often choose a full Water main upgrade.
Costs: Who Pays for What?
Water supplier pays when:
- The leak is in the communication pipe
- The main pipe under the road bursts
- External meter or pavement valve fails
Homeowner pays when:
- The leak is on the private supply pipe
- Internal pipework fails
- Lead pipes need replacement
- Old, shared lines need separation
Insurance rarely covers underground supply pipes unless you have optional service-line cover.
How to Avoid Expensive Supply Pipe Problems
Here are practical steps Sussex homeowners can take:
- Know where your external stop tap is
- Keep vehicles off areas with shallow pipework
- Replace lead pipes proactively
- Monitor water bills for sudden increases
- Upgrade old or shared supply pipes
- Install proper insulation where pipes enter your home
- Get regular checks if pressure drops unexpectedly
For full replacements, our Mains water pipe replacement service provides a modern, long-lasting solution.
FAQ: Responsibility for Water Pipes
1. Who is responsible for the water supply pipe?
You are responsible for the supply pipe from the boundary stop tap to your home.
2. Who is responsible for the main water pipes on my property?
You are responsible for all pipework on private land, including underground supply lines and internal plumbing.
3. Who is responsible if the pipe bursts under my driveway?
If it’s after the boundary stop tap, you are responsible for the repair.
4. Do water companies repair private pipes?
No. They only maintain their part of the network up to the boundary.
5. How do I know if I have a shared supply pipe?
Low pressure when neighbours use water is a common sign. A survey can confirm it.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for a Burst to Find Out Who’s Responsible
Understanding the responsibility for water pipes on your property can save you thousands and prevent major disruption. Most homeowners only discover the rules when something goes wrong, but with ageing infrastructure all across Sussex, it pays to be informed now.
Whether you need Water supply pipe repairs, a full Water main upgrade, professional leak detection, or fast emergency support, our team is here to help.For trusted, expert service backed by local experience, visit Sussex Water Mains.