HUNDREDS of householders have been told they must each pay as much as £3,000 for new water pipes to be laid into their homes.

About 550 homes in Langdon Hills have been sent letters telling residents the pipes need replacing.

The overall cost is likely to be at least £1.1million, which, split equally between the households, comes out at between £2,000 and £3,000.

Furious residents say Basildon Council or Essex and Suffolk Water should foot the bill.

However, the council, which is overseeing the work for the water company, says the deeds to the householders’ properties clearly state they are liable for the cost of the new pipes.

Maureen Perkins, 72, of Mildmayes, Langdon Hills, said: “I phoned the council and said this was out of order.

“What do we pay our council tax and water rates for?

“I asked where it thought we were going to get that kind of money, if the council hasn’t got it. It’s obscene!”

The council has offered to let households pay the cost of the work in installments over two years, but Mrs Perkins said she would still not be able to pay.

She also feels she shouldn’t have to.

She explained: “My husband used to deal with things like this, but he died in 2009.

“Most people probably won’t know about the small print in their deeds.”

Worried fellow resident Annie Humphries, of Stebbings, Langdon Hills, also received a letter.

Like Mrs Perkins, she said she could not afford to pay.

She also suspected many of the other residents would be in a similar position and would be “plunged into despair” as a result.

Chris Damri, Basildon Council’s interim asset manager, said Essex and Suffolk Water had responsibility for local water mains.

However, he added, individual households were responsible for the “branch pipes” which linked them to their homes.

He said: “We have written to those affected a year in advance of them getting bills, as we felt it was important to let them know sooner rather than later this work was taking place.

“The council appreciates many residents are feeling the pinch, but unfortunately, this work needs to be carried out.”

Essex and Suffolk Water did not respond to the Echo’s request for a comment on the issue in time for today’s paper.