Buiding near rising water main

[macworm]

I have planning permission for a garage but have found a rising water main running under the site. Welsh Water say that the only solution is to divert the main as it supplies a further seven properties and requires 3.0 meters clear of any building. They have quoted 'five figures+' for the 25 meter diversion. The main is a 1.5" asbestos pipe and is over 50 years old. I have been told that the 1973 Water Act may have provision for this to be replaced at by Welsh water if I request it under the Act. Does anyone know of a reference that I can use or where I might be able to look up the information?

[buildersmate]

OPSI sells Acts of Parliament - try there.
They also provide all Acts online since 1988 but that's no use to you. I tried looking at the Water Act 1989 since old Acts of Parliament don't die (very often) they just repealed by more recent legislation. There's plenty on the obligations of companies to provide a (new) supply to a consumer (at a price of construction of new mains) but nothing about obligations to renew old pipes - say s52 and s53 of the Act.
If you can't buy the 1973 Act from OPSI, could try OFWAT to see if they will allow members of public access to their library - they used to be in Birmingham (haven't been there for a dozen years thought). Sorry I can't help further.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1989/Ukpga_198 90015_en_4.htm#mdiv52

[mckeever]

You may already have solved this issue, but if i was you i would duct the whole length of pipe with which you are building over, that way if in the future it ever leaks, you will not have to dig up you can just pull the pipe out of the ducting and replace the whole length. to be even safer i would also renew the length in question with 32mm PE pipe, that way it shouldnt be likely to leak in your lifetime.