Protect underground potable water pipe against frost

Hello,
I would like some suggestions or tips regarding the following concern:

My driveway was very steep, and I wanted to level it. During the work, we realized that the water pipe was too high, and lowering it by another meter was not an option. 4000 euros.
I decided to leave the part of the soil as it was so that the pipe would remain unchanged there. And I partially leveled it.

This created a kind of peninsula. But unfortunately, when building a small stone wall, not enough care was taken, and so much soil was scraped away for the adjacent stone wall that now only 40 cm of soil remain between the pipe and the stone wall to protect the pipe from frost. In depth, we already reach about 80 cm, but not on the sides.
And now a staircase was built on this wall. Even more soil was removed here, and I know that under the stone stairs there are only 50 cm of vertical soil depth, and slightly less on the sides of the steps.

I believe the pipe under the stairs could freeze and burst if we have a whole week below zero degrees, which will definitely happen here on the Lüneburg Heath in the next 10 years.

This damage, since it is the water supplier’s pipe, will cost at least 4000 euros, even more with the penalty for indirectly damaging the pipe through negligent construction measures. I want to avoid this risk!!!

Should I move the wall by 20 cm, fill the gap, fill in the stairs, and build a new staircase? I would only lose 3 steps.

Or am I overdoing it???

Thanks for your tips and experiences. I also attached pictures. The red marking shows where the pipe is located in depth and at the back the staircase.

Thanks to you

Should I move the wall by 20cm, fill the gap, fill in the stairs, and build new stairs? I would only lose 3 steps.
Or am I exaggerating???

You are probably exaggerating above all with "do first, think later." I advise you to dig out the pipe and insulate it snugly – but of course not at frosty nighttime.

Thank you 11ant, I had also seen insulation on the Internet. Heating tape wrapped, foam insulation plus TK pipe as hard shell protection. All ends must be sealed tightly with silicone to prevent water from entering. I would have to do this for 5 meters, but then I would have to break the stairs. Man

Maybe you can also ask, for example, a local landscape architect about how deep the soil freezes in your area after how long. This varies quite a bit, and the 80cm depth is often actually not necessary.

On the other hand, you are really at a much higher elevation, and insulation only delays freezing - a professional assessment would also be helpful here. Especially if you are on a winter holiday and the water stands for a long time, it becomes difficult.

Alternative to insulation could be a small solar-powered heating loop. With some effort, it might also be possible to slide it under the stairs.

OT: Your entrance area has really turned out nicely - I really like it.

Hi, and thank you very much for all the suggestions. Now, after I have gathered a few opinions and thought about it for a long time myself, I am inclined to implement the practical and sustainable solution to the problem.

I will move the wall 20 cm to the right and thus give the water pipe more mass or earth. The stairs, or rather the 3 steps, I will cover with insulating foam, 1 square meter, and fill them in properly and say goodbye to them. Then I know that the pipe is protected forever. No matter which solution I choose, I have to do earthworks. Besides, these heating cables do have a warranty, but not for double-digit years. And who is supposed to protect the dung with electricity for the next 40 years??? So, if I spend the money on insulation and heating, then I can also place 3 new steps somewhere else with that money. Attached is my provisional decision table.

Attached is my provisional decision table.

Oh, a business economist. That of course explains why someone models a site without first exploring the route of the lines :)