Responsibility for the pipework

It’s important to know where your responsibility lies for the pipework in and around your home.

You are responsible for maintaining all your internal pipework and your supply pipe up to the boundary of your property.
We are responsible for maintaining any communication pipe outside the boundary of your property, the water meter, and our stopcock.

Infographic of a house showing the water main, the pipe inside the boundary of the property is labelled as the customers responsibility, and the pipe outside the boundary is labelled as IWNLs responsibility

Responsibility for leaks

If you have a leak which is anywhere within your property boundary you are responsible for repairing it. We offer a free leak-detection service (only available during normal working hours) where we will do all we can to help you find the leak or the source of the problem.

Finding a plumber

If you require plumbing work within your property, we recommend choosing an Approved Plumber. This will give you confidence that the work is of a high standard and will protect the quality of your drinking water.

You can find a local WaterSafe approved plumber here.

Find a Plumber

Responsibility for the pipework

Responsibility for leaks

Finding a plumber

If you require plumbing work within your property, we recommend choosing an Approved Plumber. This will give you confidence that the work is of a high standard and will protect the quality of your drinking water.

Other ways we can help

What is a New Appointment and Variation (NAV)?

Open Water Market

We understand that we have customers with vulnerabilities, so we have developed a range of free services to help make it easier for them.

Keeping Our Sewers Clear

Preventing blockages in your pipes is easy. View our helpful tips and advice on what to avoid flushing.