free reference
Who handles your water service line
Check the usual split between homeowner and utility responsibility in your state, then dig into local city, county, and utility details. We also point to lead service line pages and assistance programs we find.
EPA estimates about 4 million lead service lines still serve properties across the United States.
US EPAEPA's 2024 rule generally requires water systems to fully replace lead lines they control within 10 years.
US EPADetroit says the utility stops at the curb stop; the owner handles the line into the home.
City of DetroitState guide
Water line responsibility by state
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Free checklist · PDF
Water Line Repair Prep
A one-page printable checklist to help you confirm responsibility, gather records, and ask the right questions before work starts.
- What to confirm before you call for repairs
- Questions for the utility, plumber, and permit office
- Simple records to keep before and after the job
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Why it matters
Because one dig can get expensive
When a water service line leaks, people need answers fast. The hard part is that the answer is often local, and the wrong assumption can waste time and money.
Many utilities split responsibility at a curb stop, meter, or property line. Others put more of the line on the property owner, even when the pipe runs under the sidewalk or street.
We built this site to make the first step easier: find the usual rule, see the local exceptions to watch for, and go straight to the official source that should confirm it.
Guides
Plain answers, sourced
Who is responsible for the water line to your house?
Learn who usually pays for the water service line to your house, where curb stops and meters fit in, and how to verify the local rule.
Read →The curb stop, meter and property line, explained
Learn what the curb stop, water meter, and property line mean, where homeowner responsibility often starts, and how to check local rules.
Read →Water line leak in your yard: what to do
Found water pooling in your yard? Learn safe first steps, who usually pays, and how utilities, permits, leak credits, and repair help vary.
Read →Water service line replacement costs
Water service line replacement costs vary by city and utility. Learn what drives the price, who usually pays, and how to find help.
Read →Water line warranty plans: worth it?
Water line warranty plans can help in some homes, but not all. Learn when coverage may be worth it, what to check first, and lower-cost options.
Read →Lead water service lines: how to check yours
Learn how to check for a lead water service line using utility records, a simple scratch-and-magnet test, and water testing if results are unclear.
Read →Featured partners