Water line under lawn is leaking (before meter) who is responsible?

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
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There seems to be a small leak in the water line before it comes to my meter, water pushing up underground. Who is responsible for repairing this?
 

tracerbullet

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2001
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I'd say it's the owner of the line, which isn't you.

You know this for a fact?

I do know that in MN, the homeowner owns the sewage line from the house until it hits the main line in the street. I also know that in Texas the homeowner owns the water line leading to the house once it's left the main supply (in this case that main supply was near the sidewalk).

The real answer is - call the city and find out. Don't let us fools (me included) guess for you.
 

tracerbullet

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2001
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BTW, did you (the OP) really see a problem with a water line, in your yard, and then decide "hey I know, I bet the Off topic section of my favorite computer forum will know what to do"?
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
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BTW, did you (the OP) really see a problem with a water line, in your yard, and then decide "hey I know, I bet the Off topic section of my favorite computer forum will know what to do"?

I plan to have a plumber look at it, just was curious what atot though. I am wondering now if it is a leak in the sewer line, and that is why there is no affect on the water meter.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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Assuming from your description that it's the supply line, most of the time, this would be the responsibility of the city/county, but there are exceptions.
 

Richard N

Member
Jan 1, 2013
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If it is in fact the supply line to your meter then they fix it. No way are they going to allow you to turn off the water to your street (or portion of) while your guy repairs it.They will want control of that. As far as your lawn goes I think they have an easement and you have to replant your own grass. Hope they can shovel to it. If the whole line needs replcement the backhoe is probably on the way.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
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I think it's the city's property. Though the demark might actually be at the valve (the one that is on your lawn), not the meter. Hopefully not though. Contact the city. This would probably easily be a 10k job so here's hoping they pay for it. You probably pay enough taxes to cover that cost in a few years.
 

ra1nman

Senior member
Dec 9, 2007
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From what I understand here in Wi, everything between the shut-off valve (by the street) to your house is your responsibility. I had a pipe freeze on a rental property and a plumber recently told me this.
 

dyna

Senior member
Oct 20, 2006
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From what I understand here in Wi, everything between the shut-off valve (by the street) to your house is your responsibility. I had a pipe freeze on a rental property and a plumber recently told me this.

This is also my understanding. OP, I think it will be at your cost to have it fixed.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
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This is also my understanding. OP, I think it will be at your cost to have it fixed.

There is no shut off valve by the street here, the only shut off valve is at the wall of the house instead.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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No, not for a fact as it pertains to him. Here, the homeowner is responsible from the meter to the house for water, and the cleanout to the house for sewer.

Same in three other states I have lived in. Meyer is the demarcation for water lines when fed by a municipality.

Sewage lines are yours until they connect to city. Connection point itself is debatable.
 

Legios

Senior member
Feb 12, 2013
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Our meter is in a box by the street, we had 2 leaks, one on MY side in my yard, I could see the water bubbling up like a spring. One on their side, actually flooding the box the meter sits in. We called the county (Henrico VA) and that night they came to fix their side and that we were on our own for the leak on our side. The leak was responsible for 20,000 gallons spilled per month until we fixed it.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
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I am mostly positive it is actually the sewer line leaking, but won't know until the plumber looks at it.
 

D1gger

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
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No there isn't one here, I know this for a fact.

I would be very surprised if there wasn't a curb stop of some sort. My company builds utilities for a living, and when completing a subdivision, there has to be a way to shut off the water from the main before the home is constructed. It might actually be in your meter box. This also allows the utility company to install the meter after the home has been constructed and then turn on the water to the house.
 

twinrider1

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2003
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Your water utility probably has a website, and definitely has a phone number. They are really the only source that can answer your question. As you've read, it's different in different towns.
Around here, everyone has a shutoff valve somewhere outside. Curb valve, curb box, corporate valve, all terms you can Google to see what they look like. And that valve is the demarc; you own the house side and the city owns the street side and the valve.
Valve near the house....outside the house? Does it get cold where you live?
 

twinrider1

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2003
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I am mostly positive it is actually the sewer line leaking, but won't know until the plumber looks at it.

Sewer line won't have steady pressure on it; nothing to push the water up to the surface. Any odor to it?
Not hacking on you, honestly, call your utility. I bet they'll come out, no charge, and determine if it's their leak or yours. No sense in paying a plumber yet. (But be ready, because the utility will probably give you a deadline to get the leak fixed if it is on your side).
 

runzwithsizorz

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
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I am mostly positive it is actually the sewer line leaking, but won't know until the plumber looks at it.

Sewer lines as they approach the street, or main are usually 4, to 6 feet deep. The likelihood of it, "pushing up underground", is slim , and none.
The city will usually repair water lines BEFORE the meter, and sewer lines
BEFORE your property line.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
81
I would be very surprised if there wasn't a curb stop of some sort. My company builds utilities for a living, and when completing a subdivision, there has to be a way to shut off the water from the main before the home is constructed. It might actually be in your meter box. This also allows the utility company to install the meter after the home has been constructed and then turn on the water to the house.

There is a way to shut off the water supply, but it is at the home it self and not the curb.