Power to repair supply pipes

(1) Where a licensee has reason to think that some injury to or defect in a supply pipe which he is not under obligation to maintain is causing or is likely to cause waste of water or injury to any person or property, he may execute such work as he thinks necessary or expedient in the circumstances of the case without being requested to do so and if any injury to or defect in the pipe is discovered, the expenses reasonably incurred by the licensee in discovering it and in executing repairs shall be recoverable by him summarily as a civil debt from the owner of the premises supplied, but without prejudice to the rights and obligations, as between themselves, of the owner and occupier of the premises. (2) Where several houses or other buildings in the occupation of different persons are supplied with water by one common supply pipe belonging to the owners or occupiers of the houses or buildings, the amount of any such expenses as mentioned in sub-section (1) and any expenses reasonably incurred by a licensee in the maintenance of that pipe may be recovered in the manner provided in sub-section (1) from the owners of those premises in such proportions as, in case of dispute, may be settled by the P.U.C. but without prejudice to the rights and obligations, as between themselves, of the owners and occupiers of those premises respectively.