Responsibility for lot water pipes and lot sewers
The lot pipelines connect the property to HSY's main lines. Lot pipelines include the lot water pipe, lot wastewater sewer and lot stormwater sewer.
The property owner is responsible for all lot pipelines
The lot water pipes and lot sewers are the responsibility of the property owner. The owner is also responsible for any costs of repairing them. The division of responsibilities is the same regardless of whether the property is built on a lot that you own or one that is rented, or whether it is a detached house, apartment building or commercial property.
- The lot water pipe is a pipe between the connection point and the property’s water meter, installed for the purpose of conducting household water.
- The lot wastewater sewer is a wastewater sewer between the connection point and the building.
- The lot stormwater sewer is a sewer between the connection point and the property’s stormwater systeminto which stormwater and foundation drainage water is led.
HSY’s responsibility starts from the main sewer or manhole to which the property is connected by its own sewer pipe. The same responsibility applies to water pipe connections where ownership of the property begins from a connection point in the water main on the street.
Renovation need of lot lines
The service life of lot lines is usually 40–50 years depending on the materials used, the construction method, and the soil. If the pipe breaks, water may leak into the basement and foundations of the property and, in case of bad luck, also into neighbouring properties. A blockage in the wastewater sewer, in turn, may cause the toilet bowl or floor drain to overflow. The damage can be very extensive, and the repair costs are the responsibility of the property owner. How much compensation is paid for the damage depends on the insurance policy and company, as well as the maintenance history of the lot lines.
Leave room for maintenance work
Each property must have a building-specific shut-off valve outside the building, in the immediate vicinity of the connection point. The shut-off valve is also the responsibility of the property owner. Sewer manholes are used as inspection, maintenance and sewerage manholes for sewers.
HSY must be able to use the lot shut-off valve unobstructed. No structures or planted areas should be placed on top of the valve, and it must be in working order during all seasons. Attention should also be paid to the location and usability of the manhole: it is the only place to unclog, for example, a blockage in the lot sewer.
The property’s manholes and stormwater inlets should be inspected at least once a year to prevent the gradual formation of blockages. Sweeping ground grit into the street inlet, for example, will inevitably cause a blockage in the system. The overall condition of the sewers is easy to determine by means of video inspection. This affordable service is provided by several private companies.