A FORMER councillor has condemned Yorkshire Water for threatening him with a repair bill over a leaking pipe.
Former Heckmondwike BNP councillor David Exley reported the leak outside his home in Ashfield Road, Birstall, last week.
Yorkshire Water came out and issued him with a repairs notice giving him 14 days to repair the pipe otherwise it would do the job and charge him.
When he complained the company backed down and said they would carry out the repair - but it would take them up to 28 days.
Mr Exley, an electrician, said he was furious at the response of the water company and added: “It’s unbelievable.
“Yorkshire Water wanted me to do the repair immediately but they can’t do it for a month.
“Not round here, but not far away, there is a hosepipe ban but they can just let this leak get worse.
“It’s not exactly gushing but Yorkshire Water acknowledge that it’s getting worse.”
Mr Exley spotted the leak last Thursday. He believes the leak is coming from a joint near a stop tap under the pavement.
He suspects it was damaged accidentally by gas contractors who were working in the street.
Yorkshire Water sent an inspector out and a repairs notice under section 75 of the Water Industry Act 1991 was pushed through his letterbox.
“I gave them a real blasting and they backed down and said the notice shouldn’t have been issued,” said Mr Exley.
“The utility companies charge us an awful lot but I don’t think we are getting value for money. I just think 28 days is excessive when we are short of water.”
A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said that when it became clear the damage had been caused by a third party the company agreed to carry out the repair at no cost to Mr Exley.
He said the company had a priority system for leaks and aimed to repair them in a maximum of 28 days but usually much less.
The leak was due to be repaired today (Friday).