Provided it's not going to bankrupt me in doing so, I think I'm going to bite the bullet and replace my 'microbore' water main with a nice shiny length of blue plastic pipe.
There's a water co stopcock in the pavement at the end of the drive; it's approx 15m-worth pipe up the drive that needs replacing.
Presumably I have to get someone in at least to do the connection to the water co stopcock, as I'm not allowed to dig up the pavement. Anyone know if I can get a licensed third-party in to do it, rather than involving United Utilities? (I really don't want them inspecting the point where the blue pipe enters the house, because that bit is already in place and buried (with two open ends; put there a few years ago by the builder who did our extension in case we wanted to do this upgrade later - couldn't afford to at the time - and I *know* it won't pass UU's stringent criteria!).
The other thing is, am I going to end up with a compulsory water meter?
One option might be for me (or maybe find a local labourer!) to dig up the 14.5m which is on my property, and just get someone expensively-licensed in to do the connecting-up bit. Any gotchas there, or anywhere else?
Would I have to use one of those wacker things when backfilling to make sure the drive didn't sag later...?
Thanks David