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Many Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war homes in London were built with shared water supply pipes. This means two or more properties are served by the same private supply pipe before the pipe branches off to each individual home.
Shared supplies are also common in subdivided buildings, where a property originally built as one house has later been converted into flats or maisonettes. In these cases, the original incoming supply may still be serving several separate dwellings, even though the building now has much higher water demand than it was designed for.
This issue has become more noticeable as older buildings are modernised. Traditional plumbing systems often used cold water storage tanks, which helped buffer demand on the incoming supply. As properties are upgraded to combination boilers, unvented cylinders, mains-fed showers, washing machines, dishwashers and additional bathrooms, far more demand is placed directly on the mains supply pipe.
Where several homes, flats or converted units rely on the same old shared pipe, this can lead to poor flow, pressure drops, restricted boiler performance, shared maintenance problems and, in some cases, lead pipework affecting drinking water quality.
At London & Surrey Water Services, we help homeowners, landlords, freeholders and managing agents separate from shared supply pipes, replace shared supplies as joint projects, and apply for Thames Water lead pipe replacement support where eligible.
A shared water supply pipe is a private pipe that serves more than one property. Instead of each home having its own dedicated supply from the water main, one pipe supplies a row of houses, a converted building or a group of dwellings before branching off to individual homes, flats or units.
Shared supplies are often found in older terraced streets, semi-detached properties, maisonettes, converted flats and buildings where the water supply arrangement has not been upgraded in line with modern water demand.
The pipe may run under gardens, paths, basements, communal areas or neighbouring land before reaching each property. This can make responsibility, access and repair work more complicated than with a dedicated single-property supply.
Shared supply pipes can create several practical and compliance issues, especially where the pipe is old, undersized, leaking or made from lead.
Where a shared supply is also made from lead, replacement should be treated as both a water quality issue and a long-term infrastructure improvement.
We are always happy to provide advice and a free estimate without obligation
Take advantage of our limited-time offer and save 10% on all lead pipe replacement works.
This discount applies to full supply-pipe renewals carried out by our approved moling specialists.
If your water pressure drops when neighbours use water, your combi boiler struggles, or your property has an old shared incoming supply
From separation to joint replacement, lead pipe replacement and Thames Water scheme routes, the right option depends on your pipework, neighbours and existing connection arrangement
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The Thames Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme is designed to help homeowners and landlords replace their lead service pipes. Under this lead replacement scheme, Thames Water will replace the portion of the lead piping known as the communication pipe (comms pipe) that runs from the water main to the property boundary free of charge
Customer Responsibility: You are responsible for the supply pipe running from the outside stop valve to the internal stop tap inside your property, including any internal plumbing.
Thames Water’s Responsibility: Thames Water maintains the communication pipe, which connects the water main to your outside stop tap.
Property owners are responsible for replacing the pipes from the boundary to their property at their own cost. This is where our services as approved plumbers come in.
Our team will inspect your existing water supply to identify any lead pipework and determine the most direct, least disruptive, and cost-effective route for installing your new supply pipe. During this visit, we will also confirm your eligibility for the Thames Water, Affinity Water, or SES Water Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme and explain the process in full.
Once we have completed the survey, we will help you submit the online application required by your water company’s Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme. This ensures your water supplier can review the proposal to replace their section of the lead pipe (the communication pipe).
Once your application has been submitted, we schedule a convenient date to carry out the customer-side pipe replacement. Using specialist impact-moling equipment, we install a new supply pipe with minimal disruption to your property. All excavations are backfilled and reinstated to their original condition.
Upon completion of the supply pipe replacement, we will issue a certificate of work completed. This document will detail the tasks performed and confirm that your newly installed water supply pipe complies with current water supply regulations.
Once your certificate has been reviewed, an engineer from your water supplier will attend to inspect the communication pipe. If their pipe is made of lead, it will be marked for replacement and a task raised for their planning team to arrange permits, traffic management, and scheduling.
When permits and traffic management have been approved, your water supplier will replace the communication pipe. Most replacements are completed within 6–8 weeks, although timings may vary depending on location, access requirements, and local authority approvals.
After your water supplier completes the replacement their section of pipe, we return to make the final connection between your new supply pipe and your internal plumbing. We ensure everything is working correctly and that your property receives a clean, reliable, lead-free water supply with minimal interruption.
We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
As water regulations approved plumbers and supply pipe contractors with over two decades of experience in lead pipe replacement and customer-side supply work.
All installations meet the current Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, and every job includes a Certificate of Works Completed for your water supplier.
We provide a 15-year guarantee on all full supply pipe replacements, giving you long-term protection and complete confidence in the quality of our workmanship.
We offer a full range of internal plumbing and supply pipe services including new installations, repair and replacement
Trusted by homeowners across London for reliable, professional lead pipe replacement and internal plumbing services.
I would highly recommend Alan. I wish we had found him earlier because it would have saved us both time and money. We had a water leak at our house which could not be located. I contacted other “experts” in underground water problems before finding Alan, none of them could offer a convincing solution. Alan is an expert in this area and articulated very clearly the alternative solutions and the pros and cons of each. Alan is very professional, hard working and tidy - you would not be able to tell that concrete and flagstones were removed to do the work. A truely excellent job.
We had a severe water leak that was flooding the basement of our house. Alan and Grant dealt with this emergency straight away. The organisation for our job was efficient, and we were kept informed at all points in the process. The repair was complex. It required moling through the basement exterior wall and installing a new connection to our internal supply. Alan carried this difficult task out efficiently and quickly, causing the least disruption possible, and it was a pleasure to deal with both him and Grant. Their price for the work was very reasonable. highly recommend!
Alan went above and beyond when installing my new water mains. He was prompt, professional, communicative, and really helpful, taking time after the job was done to offer advice on getting the best out of the new supply. I am amazed at how quickly he could get the job done and left the house so clean afterwards you would never have known he was there. The fact he is Thames Water approved was also a huge bonus and made the whole process much quicker and easier. I can't recommend him highly enough and would 100% use London & Surrey Water Services again.
Our focus is on delivering cost-effective, safe, and reliable solutions for the replacement of lead water supply pipes.
Practical guidance on lead pipework, supply pipes, and replacement across Kingston upon Thames
Lead supply pipework is the section of pipe that carries water from the outside stop valve to the internal stop valve, and is often visible at the section of pipe leading up to the internal stop valve. Lead pipes are typically dull grey, feel soft, have rounded joints, and will reveal a shiny silver metal if gently scratched.
The communication pipe runs from the public water mains to the outside stop tap, often at the property boundary — this section is owned and maintained by the water supplier (Water Board).
Lead contamination from old lead pipes can dissolve into water sitting in the pipework, posing serious health risks — especially to children and pregnant women. Exposure increases the risk of developmental problems, kidney and cardiovascular effects.
Under the lead replacement scheme, once you upgrade your private supply pipe, Thames Water will replace its section (communication pipe) free of charge
Although lead pipe installation has been banned since the 1970s, there is currently no blanket legal requirement forcing homeowners to replace existing lead pipes. However, regulatory guidance from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) strongly encourages replacement because any lead exposure represents a health risk — and removal is the only permanent solution
In many cases, no. Using modern trenchless technology such as impact moling, the new supply pipe can be installed with minimal digging and minimal disruption to driveways, paths, gardens or patios. Work is carried out to a high standard, restoring any disturbed ground.
Yes. Older lead or corroded pipes often limit water flow, causing low water pressure or inconsistent water flow to taps, power showers, and appliances like washing machines. Upgrading to modern materials (e.g. MDPE) as part of a full water pipe replacement dramatically improves flow, pressure, and overall reliability
Most homeowner-side replacements can be completed in one day. After that, the water company coordinates the replacement of their section (communication pipe), depending on scheduling and approvals, often within three months
Yes. The lead replacement scheme and water supply upgrades apply to both houses and commercial properties — provided the eligibility criteria are met.
Start by checking your supply pipework and confirming eligibility. Then submit the online application on the Thames Water website and ensure a licensed plumber completes the replacement. Once approved, Thames Water will commit to replacing its section under the scheme
If you only replace the homeowner-side supply pipe, but the public-side communication pipe is still lead, some risk remains. The scheme recommends replacing both, but replacing your side is a vital first step to begin the process
Yes. If your property is currently connected to a shared supply pipe, there are two recognised options available, depending on your circumstances and the cooperation of neighbouring properties.
In some cases, a shared supply pipe can be replaced in full. This requires agreement and cost‑sharing between all properties connected to that supply, as the pipework serves multiple households. Where neighbours are willing to proceed together, this can be an effective solution.
Alternatively, you can apply for a new, dedicated water connection. This involves installing a separate single supply pipe directly from the water main to your property, fully disconnecting you from the shared supply. A dedicated supply removes shared liability, improves reliability and water pressure, and clearly defines ownership and responsibility.
We assess both options during our site survey and provide clear guidance on the most practical and cost‑effective route. Where a new connection is required, we manage the application process and coordinate with the relevant water company to ensure compliance and a smooth installation
Definitely. Modern materials used in pipe replacement are more durable and less prone to corrosion or leaks. This reduces the chance of potential leaks that could lead to water loss, structural damage, or high water bills.
Yes. Lead pipe replacement must be carried out by a competent, qualified plumber to ensure compliance with UK water regulations and to confirm the installation is safe and legally valid. While plumbers do not have to be WaterSafe-approved, work completed by a non‑approved or independent plumber will usually need to be inspected and approved by the water company (such as Thames Water) before it can be accepted under the lead replacement scheme.
By using an approved contractor like London & Surrey Water Services, this additional inspection step is typically not required, as our work is self-certified and accepted by the water authorities—saving time, reducing delays, and ensuring a smoother replacement process
The cost of replacing a lead water supply pipe typically ranges between £800 and £3,000, depending on several factors. These include the length of the supply pipe, access conditions, ground type, whether the property is on a shared supply, and whether trenchless installation methods such as impact moling can be used.
Most standard residential replacements in London fall toward the lower end of this range. Properties with longer pipe runs, restricted access, or complex layouts may fall toward the higher end. We provide a fixed quotation following a site survey, and where eligible, we assist with applications under the relevant Water Company Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme, which can significantly reduce overall costs.
Following completion of the works, London & Surrey Water Services will issue full certification of works completed, confirming that your new supply pipe complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and is safe for drinking water. Our installations are accepted by the relevant water authorities without the need for additional inspection.
All works are carried out by fully qualified, insured professionals and are backed by a 15-year workmanship guarantee on full supply pipe replacements, providing long-term assurance for homeowners, landlords, and managing agents. We also carry full public liability insurance, ensuring every project is delivered safely, compliantly, and to an excellent standard.
Yes. We offer comprehensive external plumbing services, including water supply pipe repairs, new connections, and water pipe replacement — for both domestic and commercial properties across London and the South East.
If you suspect lead plumbing but haven’t replaced it yet, run your cold kitchen tap for 1–2 minutes before using water for cooking or drinking, especially after overnight or long periods of inactivity. This flushes out water that has stood in lead pipes, reducing immediate exposure risk
Landlords are responsible for ensuring a safe water supply. If the property has lead supply pipework, replacing it with a modern, compliant supply pipe demonstrates responsibility, reduces liability, and meets increased tenant expectations for safe living conditions.
Yes. Replacing lead pipes with modern, approved materials helps ensure full compliance with current UK water regulations, significantly reduces the risk of lead contamination, and supports long-term drinking water quality. For landlords and homeowners, it also future‑proofs the property against tightening regulatory standards, protects asset value, and reduces the likelihood of enforcement issues or remedial works being required later — benefiting both occupants and water suppliers
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We offer a free assessment and free quote across Kingston upon Thames and the wider South London and South East region, helping homeowners and potential buyers understand the condition of their water supply.
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