should the city pay for the the main water pipe going into the house?

Question

Hi all,

currently working on a deal with a house that has an issue with the main water pipe going into the house from the street. The city wants us to make a new piping going the opposite direction which is fine but they also saying that I have to do it all the way to the main valve on the street not the curbside, but in my opinion I think it should be my responsibility to run the piping from the house to the curbside valve not the street main valve because this should be done by the city. Is this something that the city should be doing or am I wrong? anybody has a similar issue. Any advised will be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks

Bob Hank · Answer

Most of the time it is the home owners responsibility up to the meter.  When the meter is in the house then most of the time the responsibility is up to the  curb stop.

The only 2 issues that I can think of for you going past the curb stop would be a size upgrade or new service.  Where I’m at a new service is $4,500 for a 3/4”; they put in the curb stop and a meter pit.  New codes say you have to have a 3/4” water service or larger, I have seen a few old 1/2” water services.

Ahmed Porter · Answer

I would have you go down to the permit office and it should have something in writing on who is the party to take care of the water upgrade to the street. DC the city replace from the street and the contractor from the meter,  a few years ago that was changed were the owner had the job of taking care of the upgrade to the street . Do your home work and you should be able to find out in one visit to your local permit office who picks up the tab

Rob K. · Answer

The cities that I deal with are like this also. I recently had two different houses that had a problem with shut off at the sidewalk. Both were replaced by the city at no charge to me. I am responsible for the valves inside the house - on the street side and house side of the meter. If the one on the street side is bad, I need to have the city shut off the water, replace the valve at my own expense, and then have the water turned back on.

I have purchased two houses that had a missing water meters (thanks, crackheads). I had to purchase those. One was $150 and the other was $225. Another house had a broken pipe in the crawl space. This was between the city shut off at the curb and the meter inside the house. That was also my responsibility. I think they wash their hands of any problems once it is past their outside shut off.

Richard Herrera · Answer

yeah I just talked to someone else at the water department first he wasn't sure then he went and asked someone else and said that I'm reponsible for the full lenth from the main pipe on the street to the curb stop and from curb stop to the house, should I be taking this to court because all the contractors I have brought are saying that they only do it from the curb stop to the house but not to the street because its the city that should do it.

Steve Babiak · Answer

In the my area we have shut-off valves at the curb, so water company is responsible up to that shut-off valve and homeowner is responsible for the remainder from the shut-off into the house.  The shut-off valve is used to allow for emergency repairs at the house, and it is also used to cut off water to deadbeats who refuse to pay.  The water company is responsible for the meter itself also, even when the meter is inside the house.

Jon Holdman · Answer

When a new house is built, the builder or owner pays for the "tap".  That goes all the way to the city's main line.  Once that tap and the meter is installed, the city typically has responsibility up to the meter and the property owner has responsibility from the meter to the house.  I know that's the case here in my area, and this was true in TX where I had to pay to replace a water main line.

Sounds like "main valve", you mean the meter.  And this one has been neglected to the point where its no longer operational.  If you mean something else, I don't understand.  There's no valve on the main line, at least anywhere I've ever lived or owned property (MO, TX, CO, CA).  There's only the meter.  If the existing tap is fubar'ed, then I suspect the city is within their rights to make you pay to install a complete new tap.  Has this house been abandoned for some time?

Bob Hank · Answer

Ohh this is a different story.  This is a case of hostage by tree roots.

Who's tree is it?
Why do you or they need to get to the curb stop.
Who do you buy the water from?
What state are you in?

The reason I’m asking is there is an authority regulation utility that you need to get in contact with and file a complaint.

It would also be time to get a complete copy of the water departments agreement and read it inside and out or find a lawyer that has already fought them over a close issue.

With a chain saw, air shovel, and some good clippers I'm sure I could get to it in a few hours of work.

Richard Herrera · Answer

thank you for your reply Bob, yeah the original main valve at the curb will be null because is seating next to a tree that the roots rapped around through out the years and can't get to it. So new valve will be installed for the new piping but I still don't get why the city said that the owner has to pay for for the repair that needs to be done on the street.

should the city pay for the the main water pipe going into the house?

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