top of page

COMMON SUPPLY IN MANCHESTER

 In many older terraced houses, it's common for multiple properties to share a single water supply pipe, known as a common supply pipe or shared water supply. This setup involves a single connection from the water main that branches off to serve several homes.

ISSUES WITH A COMMON SUPPLY

  Reduced Water Pressure and Flow:
 

  • As modern households have increased water demands, shared pipes—often made of lead or iron and of smaller diameter—may not adequately supply sufficient water pressure, especially during peak usage times. 

 

          

           Maintenance and Repair Challenges:
 

  • Responsibility for maintaining and repairing shared supply pipes is typically joint among all properties connected to the pipe. Coordinating repairs can be complicated, especially if properties have different ownership or occupancy statuses. 

 

        

            Health and Safety Concerns:
 

Older shared pipes are often made from lead, posing potential health risks due to lead contamination in drinking water. 

           

           Identifying a Shared Water Supply:
 

  • If multiple properties are controlled by a single external stop tap, it's an indication of a shared supply.
     

  • The absence of individual water meters for each property may suggest a shared supply arrangement

 

 

              Potential Solutions:

 

  • Upgrading to individual supply pipes for each property can enhance water pressure, improve water quality, and simplify maintenance responsibilities. 

 

 

               Consulting Professionals:
 

  • Engaging with specialized contractors such as Northwest Watermains Ltd we can help with guidance on replacing shared pipes with individual connections, ensuring compliance with current regulations and minimizing disruption. 

 

 

Addressing issues related to shared water supply pipes is crucial for ensuring a reliable and safe water supply in terraced houses. Homeowners should assess their current plumbing setup and consider necessary upgrades to meet modern standards and demands. As WIAPS approved plumbers we are able to lay the new supply pipe an carry out any internal alterations to pipework. As most new supply's enter the front of the property and the cold water circuit is predominantly at the rear we have to run new pipework through the house. 

bottom of page