Is there a law regarding drainage?

Hello dear members,

while sealing our basement exterior walls and opening the excavation pit, we discovered that a drainage pipe (clay) from the neighboring property leads directly onto our property, or rather directly onto our basement wall. (The clay pipe makes no bends. The boundary distance on this side is about 2m. Our excavation pit is about 1m wide. In other words, the clay pipe is about 1m on our property. If I insert a 2m measuring rod, it goes without bends directly onto the neighbor’s property). Likewise, the neighbor’s drainage pipe is about 1m higher than our existing drainage pipe of the basement exterior walls.

According to the building authority, building files, land register, and previous owners, nothing is known about this. When it rains, water still flows out of the drainage pipe like an open faucet even 1 day later.

After I sought a conversation with the neighbor, he immediately referred to a drainage law, according to which existing drainage pipes that are damaged must be restored? It is now my duty to ensure proper drainage. I am also supposed to document this with pictures.

What do you think? Should I get advice from a lawyer?

After I tried to have a conversation with the neighbor, he immediately referred to a drainage law, according to which existing drainage pipes that you damage must be repaired?

Act like a lawyer and ask him, "Where exactly does it say that?" I once read something about a Melioration Act, but that was in connection with agricultural land. You can try googling it. Otherwise, I am not aware of any legal basis. Please also ask him on what grounds he lets his water seep away on your property. He should surely be able to show you an agreement with the previous property owner or an easement. I am always a bit tough about these things. If he cannot name or show any basis for the drainage pipe, I would simply cut it off and dispose of it at the property line. Then let him deal with it. You’re off the hook.

Do not break the pipe. Extend it and lead it back onto the neighboring property. In another case, a drainage pipe became a boomerang - it was unknown to the municipality's water authorities and caused official trouble.

I would seal it, stuff it with bitumen and spray it with foam.

cap + well foam. alternatively, inquire with the lower water authority whether the underground infiltration of the neighbor has been reported.

Hello

Mix 1 liter of concrete. Fetich!
Clay pipes are by the way very popular among aquarists. The Malawis like them.

Steven