Who Is Responsible For Water Line From Street To House?

When you turn your faucet on and water comes out, you think nothing of it. Running water is a commodity in the modern world that we often take for granted. You may not even know where exactly your water comes from. This all changes when you have a main water line leak. You suddenly become aware of how precious running water is, and how expensive water line issues are to fix.

When a water line issue occurs outside the borders of your property, it is normally the municipality’s responsibility to fix it. When the issue occurs on your property, however, as the owner, you are responsible for repairing the problem and paying for it. Homeowners insurance often covers unexpected water line problems that occur on your property, as long as they are reported correctly.

When you are trying to find out who is responsible for the waterline that connects to your house, you may need to do some digging – literally. The location of the waterline issue, whether it is a leak or a break, is the main determining factor in who is responsible. So before you go pointing fingers, you should first find out more about your water line.

In order to understand who is responsible for a water line issue, it is a good idea to trace the path of the water line itself. Sometimes your home’s blueprint may have this information. If you do not have access to these types of documents or they are not in the plan, you have another option.

You can use a pipe locator device to trace the water line. Depending on when your line was built, it can be made of metal or other materials. This means using a pipe locator that can locate all types of pipes is recommended.

Trace the pipe from your dwelling all the way to the street. Also, make careful note of your property line. Note when the water line connects with the municipal water meter and then leaves your property. This helps determine who is responsible for a water line issue.

If you discover the water line issue occurred outside of your property, and in municipal jurisdiction, then the municipality is likely responsible for repairing it. While there are some exceptions, if the water line break is on county property and in county pipes then they should pay.

Water comes from main supply lines that are eventually branched off to individual residences. The main water supply funnels water through the municipal water mains and then to your property border. The entire stretch of the water line from the source to the border of your property is the city or county’s responsibility.

If you notice a leak outside your property line, or do not have running water and are certain the problem did not stem from your property – call the water department immediately.

If you see evidence of the water leak (a gushing pipe break, a large puddle on a sunny day) be sure to document it and clearly show it is not on your property. Major water main breaks are expensive, and it is critical you have all the evidence possible to prove you are not liable.

Water lines become your responsibility as soon as they cross onto your property. While you may have had nothing to do with the installation of the water pipes, and the issue may seem to have stemmed from outside your jurisdiction, if the leak is on your property it is on you to fix.

Water often comes onto a property through a water meter. Often the water meter acts as an imaginary line of responsibility as well. Anything on your property from the water meter is on you to maintain and fix. The other side of the water line, heading into the street, is your responsibility.

Sometimes there is a water line issue where the water meter is located, or in a space that is located both on and off your property. In these cases, insurance, and even lawyers may need to get involved.

For example, if the water meter is on your property and has been poorly maintained this can cause problems. If a poorly maintained water meter area causes a leak on either side, the water company may argue that you are at fault due to poor upkeep. Negligence on behalf of either party can often be an argument for fault.

Be sure that you are aware of exactly what role you should be playing in the upkeep of your water line. This can include regular inspections, proper upkeep and responsible usage. If you have questions about how to maintain your water line, seek the advice of professionals in your area.

It can be incredibly frustrating to have to pay thousands of dollars for a water line repair that was out of your control. Luckily, there may be some financial assistance to put you at ease. Many homeowners insurance policies cover unexpected water damage.

This damage often includes underground water lines bursting underground. This means that although the county may not be responsible, you may not have to pay out of pocket for this unanticipated problem. Be sure you know the details of your insurance policy, however, as coverage can vary.