Was mowing today and sunk into a wet bog…right about where I remember the water main and tap in being, about 20 ft. off the street. It could be that a spring has developed there, we have had record rainfall amounts over the last month, but this area has never been wet before. If the main (which is about 5 feet deep) or the actual tap in (which is about 8 ft. deep) is leaking would’nt I notice a drop in pressure in the house? Would I notice stained water coming out of the tap or in the toilets? If it is leaking is this something my homeowners insurance might cover? If I have to dig it up do I need to contact my local water authority?
Replies
I doubt that you HOinsurance will cover this, but check with your agent.
The water leak would have to be very large to notice a drop in pressure and it it is right at the main then you would never notice it until you have a fountain in your yard.
As long as their is water pressure then it will always flow out and thus the water stays clean. If there is any drop in pressure due to some other failure with the water company or they have to shut off the whole line then dirt can be pulled into the line. That is when they issue boil orders.
You want to contact the water company any way. Depending on where it is could be responsible for it. And depending on where it is they might need to shut it off.
I am not clear about something, how can you have a tap that is 8 ft deep when the main is only 5 ft deep.
Bill is right - Talk to the local authorities. Different cities have different rules about which poart they're responsible for and what you have to take care of. No way can we answer that here.
Is the apparent leak before or after the meter? Could cost you a bundle if it's after. You won't likely get much sympathy from the city if you end up with a $500 water bill.
The world's full of apathy, but I don't care
Bill, Boss,
Thanks you are confirming my fears. I pulled some construction photos out and damned if the bog does'nt fall in line with the trench. I'm sorry if I confused you. The supply main line running to the house is about 5 feet deep where it enteres the foundation, it gradually drops to the water main where it's tapped in at about 8 ft. deep. Looking at the pictures, the bog is well away from the tap-in. Hopefully it is only about 6 ft. deep at the leak.
Boss, before the meter..thank goodness!
Edited 5/22/2002 3:02:08 PM ET by luvditchburns
The general rule I have been told around here is that if it is on your side of the meter it is your plumbing and your responsibility to fix. Conversely anything on the main side of the meter, where this leak sounds like it is, is the responsibility of the municipal water authority. It's hard to tell though because a water leak can travel considerable distances along the pipe before coming to the surface.
Check with your utility or water company. The ones in this area will send out a crew to dig up any leaks near their pipes. If they do find it is not on their responsibility they ask you if you wish to have it repaired by them, for a fee that usually added to your account and paid for in installments, or a plumber of your choice.
They act pretty quickly because if the supply system was to loose pressure because of a power failure or nearby fire the leak could allow contaminated water to enter the main. A potential health hazard and liability nightmare for the utility.
Water Authority just left. They shut the curb box off and couldn't hear water running, turned it back on and could hear water running. That means it's on my side of the curb box and it's my problem. They were nice enough to not shut me off, gave me a week to get it repaired, though 'Pa. One Call" has 3 days to respond to mark all the utilities and then the plumber can come in and dig. I'll leave a post on what this eventually costs me. By the way... I don't know what the cause is yet but shouldn't this line or the fittings have lasted more than 3 years?
I would think, not being a plumber, that such things would last longer than 3 years. Bummer that its on your side. Please post how things work out for you.