The Departmernt for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the outcome of its recent joint consultation with the Welsh Government on the future management of private water supply pipes.
The consultation received a total of 64 responses from water companies, government bodies, representative bodies, professional bodies, water and utility services, local groups, property developers, trade associations, trade unions, chartered surveyors, consultants, emergency services, individuals and insurance companies.
The consultation had sought views and evidence to further enhance Defra’s impact assessment on the policy options regarding future management of water supply pipes.
Private owners are generally currently responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of water supply pipes. In many cases the water supply pipes are not sufficiently maintained and repaired which can create an increased risk of failure for drinking water quality standards.
Commenting on the consultation outcome, Defra said that evidence suggests that there is a general lack of public understanding over the ownership and responsibility for water supply pipes. Water supply companies repair policies for private water supply pipes vary from company to company, creating inconsistency and this adds to public misunderstanding.
Defra’s proposal was to create a power which will allow future regulations to be made to transfer ownership of the portion of water supply pipes that are currently privately owned, to the water supply companies. If introduced, this could reduce leakage, protect water quality and help to ensure that our water supplies remain resilient and sustainable for the future.
In conjunction with the public consultation, Defra and the Welsh Government also commissioned Atkins to carry out further work to help monetise the costs and benefits of the various options for future management of supply pipes.
Defra and the Welsh Government believe that, having assessed the evidence and views, there are benefits to be gained from transferring ownership of private supply pipes to water supply companies. However, there is less certain evidence about the range of potential impacts on water bills for various customers and geographical regions.
The Government’s official response is that the Coalition Government is committed to helping hardworking people wherever it can by maintaining pressure to keep household bills down and that Defra therefore does not intend to carry out further work on transferring ownership of supply pipes at the current time.
Click here to access the consultation outcome
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