Baltimore City - Water Turn On Issue with Dept of Public Works

Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 6 votes

I'm at the tail end of a remodel and I need my water turned on but the City of Baltimore is closed. I can't get water. I've called 311 to try to turn it on, left VM with Department of Public Works. I've escalated the issue with Baltimore 311 with no resolve. Tried to open the meter box, but can't find the meter. Lol ... Does anyone have any ideas? If all else fails, I have to wait till the City open backs up.

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Ian Barnes

Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 247 posts · 321 votes

Umm, water meters are 10-15 feet away from the main line in most houses in Baltimore City. Is your main line connected to the water meter? If your using a licensed General Contractor in Baltimore, and they don't know how to find a water meter, find a new contractor. Baltimore City almost never shuts off a water meter and I've never seen them take one out of the water meter box. They charge you even if you don't use water. Plus, on your next rehab, don't start one until your water and utilities are on. Who waits until the end of a rehab?

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
6y
Wow unintended consequences of shutting down government.
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Ian Barnes
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 247 posts · 321 votes
6y
Umm, water meters are 10-15 feet away from the main line in most houses in Baltimore City. Is your main line connected to the water meter? If your using a licensed General Contractor in Baltimore, and they don't know how to find a water meter, find a new contractor. Baltimore City almost never shuts off a water meter and I've never seen them take one out of the water meter box. They charge you even if you don't use water. Plus, on your next rehab, don't start one until your water and utilities are on. Who waits until the end of a rehab?
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Alex R.
OP
Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 6 votes
6y
@Ian Barnes Total newbie here and making mistakes along the way :) But school of hard knocks and learning a ton.
1. Checked the main line out front of the house. No water meter. There was a water main break a few weeks ago and I think they took it out without putting one back in.
2. Will definitely have water turned on next time before rehab :)
Still at a loss though and am waiting on the city to open back up to get water turned on.
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Ian Barnes
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 247 posts · 321 votes
6y
@Alex R. didn't realize you were a newbie, apologies for the harshness, but RE investing in Baltimore ain't no joke as you can see.
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Alan C.
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2015 · 155 posts · 166 votes
6y
I second the idea that any experienced plumber, GC, or even some handymen, should be able to remove the outside cover and turn on the water.
You said that you were at the tail end of the remodel. I also don't understand how you can even start a rehab without access to water. How did your crew do the work? If you replaced or repaired any plumbing like sinks, bathtubs/showers, water heater, etc., there would have to be test of the system.
Is it possible that the water is only turned off at the incoming line inside the house? I assume that you checked that, but sometimes the answer to a problem starts with checking the obvious.
Good luck dealing with the inept water department. They haven't gotten anything right in years. Some time ago, it was incorrect billing and then it was no billing at all (one hotel hasn't paid in 10 years, even after asking to be billed)!
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Alex R.
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Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 6 votes
6y
@Alan C. - Great questions!
1. No water? No problem! With permission from my neighbor, my sub's used my neighbor's water whenever they needed it.
2. But what about plumbing leaks? My plumber is AMAZING! He used an air pressure test to determine leaks. We replaced a ton of broken/leaking pipes using this method. Once we got the water turned on, there was no leaks!
3. So what happened with BGE? Prior to renovation, there was a water main leak, BGE took my water meter, and didn't replace it once the water main leak was fixed. So fast forward to me asking to turn on the water, the plumber and the city were scratching their head when they couldn't find a way to turn on the water. SOOOO ... long story short ... after 5 supervisor escalations and a $100 installation fee, an emergency ticket was put in to re-install the meter and install a valve to get water!
As of today (05/11/20), Water is turned on and I am finally at punch list. Lead cert and inspections are scheduled next week and I have a prospect ready to sign and make a deposit. I've made a lot of mistakes but am excited to have the finish line in sight! Thank you all!

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Alan C.
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2015 · 155 posts · 166 votes
6y
Congrats on getting all the work done and a deposit, too!
One point of clarification---Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) handles the gas and electric utilities so they install/remove those meters. The city handles the water via the Dept. of Public Works.
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Alex R.
OP
Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 26 posts · 6 votes
6y
Lol you are correct! DPW ... not BGE.
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