Advice on buying a brand new home > House Builders

HAYWOOD HOMES

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ohnoicantohyesyoucan:
I have had my water tested three times now resulting in two negative and one positive result  for hydrocarbons.

Invasive work has been carried out on this site to several houses because Hydrocarbons were found in the water  of some houses.

The blue poly water supply pipes were replaced with barrier pipe by Haywood Homes. This obviously caused a an extensive amount of damage (as would be expected) to the car park, which was once so nice and no doubt stress to the residents.

After this work was finished, and because I LIVE DIRECTLY BEHIND THESE HOUSES I insisted my water was tested again as the first time it was tested I just received a flyer saying the water is safe.
This time it was positive, I had my water delivered and was given advice on the contaminated water.
This was on the Thursday afternoon and later that evening another sample was taken.

Friday morning both myself and my neighbours water meters were dug out and the blue poly pipes from the main to the meter were renewed with Barrier pipe .

Monday the hole was filled and I received my water result - it was negative.
I  have had conflicting messages from Welsh water as to what happens next to say that I am annoyed is an understatement. When you buy a new house you don't expect to have to pay thousands to rectify this problem, as in my case the NHBC does not cover .

This makes a flooded garden, a live tank and misted windows menial problems !!

New Home Expert:
Hydrocarbons are normally associated with oil or fuel oil, petrol etc. These could possible dissolve your plastic water main.  But unless you have a leak, I can't see how the contamination was getting into your homes water supply.

Clearly your development was built on a brownfield site and the contaminated land was not cleaned up or cleaned up properly before work started as is normally required.

I would suggest you write a letter to your local authority and suggest they re test the land digging holes for samples to be taken. I expect the housebuilder or his contractor has cut corners.

Alternatively,  it could just be from a leak from the groundworker's diesel tanks near that were located your house.

ohnoicantohyesyoucan:
Thank you for replying.
All the houses are built on very wet ex mining land hence my dreadfully wet garden, which you kindly replied to on Snagging.org.

The first thing I did was call the people that did the search when I bought this property. They informed me that the search I was given was in fact out of date by 17 months. It should of been done when I first agreed to buy the property. I called the solicitor who incidentally was part of the deal (free carpets and solicitor) who said that Companies often give a batch as to save money !!

There was talk of a diesel store at the back of my house which leaked and it could possibly of been that, then they decided it was oil from someone s oil tank, yet the people concerned do not feel they have lost oil .

Environmental health have visited me at my request and have taken another sample and I have also contacted the DWI for advice.

If this land is contaminated surely we should all have our poly pipes replaced with BARRIER PIPE.
Neighbours saying "oh my water is OK" is just ignorance. My water was also clear TWICE, once before the contamination once after. In fact my water was meant to have been clear again before Welsh Water even changed the poly pipe to barrier pipe up to the meter.  I have had so many conflicting messages from Welsh Water I now will only accept communication in writing.

The NHBC say that they do not cover contaminated land. Haywood's Building Manager stressed to me that the company were not worried if the whole estate had to have theirs replaced as it is all covered by the guarantees, which would of been OK by me. I'd rather be safe but who expects to pay to have such invasive work done in a new house WITHIN 3 YEARS?

New Home Expert:
So I was right - it was caused by either the contractors site diesel tank and/or heating fuel oil.

I've lost count of the number of times I have told buyers NOT to use the housebuilder's recommended or suggested solicitors and with good reason!
Even if they pay the legal fees it is never in the buyer's best interests and your searches demonstrate this perfectly.  Notwithstanding this, your solicitor owes you a professional duty of care. It really does appear that he has been negligent and I would suggest you make a complain to them in the first instance, informing them that you will progress the matter with the Legal Ombudsman and also notify the Law Society.  That should do the trick!

As I said in my earlier reply, the land was contaminated and still is. It needs to be cleaned up and the contamination removed as it is a risk to both your health and others. It is a way bigger issue than just replacing your water service pipes!
I am pleased the Environmental Heath Department have been made aware of this.

ohnoicantohyesyoucan:
Environmental health and DWI report that Welsh Water need to investigate further.
Then they could step in but still no post today from WELSH WATER with all the documents I requested. Regarding the solicitor, I shall be doing exactly that!
Thank you once again.

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