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Water tanks, local authority responsibility

(14 Posts)
MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 09:45:47

The water pipes up in the loft area froze during this cold spell, so sooner than wait for the thaw, I called out a plumber, who went up in the loft, which is above the 1st floor flats. (I'm ground floor)
His words, when he came down were "f***ing hell! I've seen some horrible things in my job, but its disgusting up there!"
He took a couple of photos and sent them to me, and I've been in touch with the environmental health people at the council, and they've said they will 'raise it'. (I won't hold my breath)
Does anyone know what their responsibilities are, in regard to ensuring the water tanks are kept clean and clear, please?

winterwhite Sat 03-Mar-18 09:57:40

Hard to work out what could have been so bad. Are the flats owned by the council? If so they may carry out regular or not so regular maintenance checks and you could ginger them up. If not, and if a pest control issue, many councils ‘outsource’ this to private companies. Best of luck in getting it cleared speedily. Sounds horrid. At least you’re one floor below.

MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 10:00:53

The loft area is filthy, and the tanks aren't covered.
I can't remember a time when a 'service' would have been done up there. Obviously not for a very, very long time.
Although I don't live directly below, it's still where my water comes from. Ugh!

MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 10:03:51

There you go

MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 10:06:35

And another

J52 Sat 03-Mar-18 10:25:56

Who is the Freeholder, I think you’ll find it’s their responsibility. Never drink water from a tap unless it is directly connected to the mains. Even then I’d have some concerns.

MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 10:28:22

It's the council's responsibility.
Its clearly set out in my mortgage agreement.
Half of the flats are bought, half are still council owned.

J52 Sat 03-Mar-18 10:33:00

In that case it’s them. Send the photos to your local councillors with some string wording about responsibility and losing votes! That might get some action! Meanwhile boiled and bottle water.

J52 Sat 03-Mar-18 10:34:37

*strong

J52 Sat 03-Mar-18 10:36:35

Just asked someone who knows about these things. Apparently there should be an annual inspection regarding diseases such as legionella. You could ask to see the inspection log or certificate.

MissAdventure Sat 03-Mar-18 10:37:45

Oh thank you. I was hoping someone might have some info regarding inspections and so on. smile

MissAdventure Tue 06-Mar-18 00:25:30

I just had a reply back from my councillor, telling me he is unable to give an opinion on the photos, as sadly he isn't a plumber. angry

Jalima1108 Tue 06-Mar-18 01:06:53

As J52 says, never drink the water unless it's from the mains and in fact, don't even clean your teeth with water unless it's from the mains especially if you are not the one responsible for maintaining it.

Tell your councillor he 'has a duty of care and he needs to take this forward on health and safety grounds as a matter of urgency'. Also contact the Housing Dept or whoever the landlord is and copy your councillor in to it. Tell them you will hold them responsible if you or your DGS become ill as a result of this.

Tell your councillor you will be reporting this to the Drinking Water Inspectorate if he does not take action immediately and get someone out to rectify this.

dwi.defra.gov.uk/consumers/advice-leaflets/tanks.pdf

Jalima1108 Tue 06-Mar-18 01:08:36

I just had a reply back from my councillor, telling me he is unable to give an opinion on the photos, as sadly he isn't a plumber
And he's not fit to be a councillor either.