Residents told to pay £7,000 each to fix water pipe outside their homes
Residents in a Welsh village are facing potential prosecution and costs of over £7,000 each to repair a shared water pipe. Welsh Water claims the pipe is private property, but residents argue they lack the necessary evidence of a leak to secure insurance coverage.
Why it matters
This highlights the financial vulnerability of homeowners when infrastructure responsibility is ambiguous and insurance claims are denied due to lack of documentation.
Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service Image caption, Nerys says residents initially thought they could cover the cost of repairs made through their insurance
Residents say they could face prosecution if they do not pay thousands of pounds to repair a water pipe outside their homes.
The residents of five houses in Pontycymer, Bridgend county, said they were told by Welsh Water that a leak from the shared pipe supplying their homes needs to be repaired at their own cost, which they estimate could cost more than £7,000 each.
The Garw Valley locals claim they have been given no evidence of where the leak is which their insurance companies need to cover the cost, causing sleepless nights.
A Welsh Water spokesperson said it does not own or manage the pipe so it's the responsibility of property owners, and residents have 11 days to fix it.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in