Water Main Leak or Break at an NYC Property

Is the Water Main Leak Yours or the City's?

A water main leak can mean two different pipes. The water main runs under the street and belongs to the City; DEP maintains over 6,800 miles of in-city water mains. The service line connects a building to that main, and DEP states that property owners own and are responsible for it.

If you see water coming up from the ground or roadway, or suspect a water main break, NYC Emergency Management says to call 311 or report it online. If the water is causing a dangerous condition, such as a street or sidewalk collapse or severe flooding, call 911.

If DEP finds the leak is on the private service line, the owner receives a notice and the repair becomes the owner's responsibility. That is the part NYC Water Main Services coordinates.

What Causes Water Main Breaks?

According to NYC Emergency Management, temperature change causes most water main breaks. A 10-degree change in air or water temperature can make pipes contract or expand, and temperatures near freezing put stress on pipes. Some pipes installed before World War II are cast iron, a brittle material. DEP has also named traffic, utility contractors and system upgrades as causes of unintended ruptures.

Water Main Leak Notices From DEP

If a main water line leak at the property turns out to be on the private service line, these DEP notices and rules apply:

• Water Shut Off Warning, Notice to Repair: DEP believes the service line is leaking, and the owner has three days to hire a Licensed Master Plumber
• If repairs are not made within three days, DEP shuts off water service and charges a $1,000 shut off fee
• Water Shut Off Notice for Non-Compliance or Emergency: issued when the three-day notice was not followed, or when the leak created an emergency such as flooding a neighbor's basement
• The Licensed Master Plumber must obtain all necessary DEP and DOT permits before performing repair work
• DEP turns water back on after the repairs are complete and all fees owed to DEP are paid
• Water Shut Off Error Notice: sent when DEP determines a notice was issued in error; claims for plumber fees or damage go to the NYC Comptroller within 90 days

What Is Included?

Our water main leak support may include:

• Review of the DEP notice, its type and its deadline
• Review of any 311 or DEP service request numbers for the property
• Separating City main issues, which go to 311 and DEP, from private service line issues
• Coordination with a Licensed Master Plumber
• DEP permit coordination
• DOT Street Opening Permit coordination, including a check of protected street status
• Water service drawings where required
• Drawings and DEP approval coordination when the fix is a full service or private water main replacement
• Organization of repair, inspection and closeout records
• Communication with ownership, managers and attorneys

Why Is This Service Important?

DEP's three-day clock starts with the notice. If the repair is not made in time, DEP shuts off water and charges a $1,000 shut off fee, and the plumber still needs DEP and DOT permits before digging.

Mixing up the City main and the private line costs time. City main breaks go to 311 and DEP. Private service line repairs go through a Licensed Master Plumber and the permit process.

According to DEP, repairs may be covered by the property's insurance policy or by DEP's Service Line Protection Program if the owner is already enrolled.

Our Service Is Designed For:

• Owners who see water surfacing near the building or curb
• Homeowners who received a DEP Notice to Repair
• Owners whose water was shut off by DEP
• Multifamily building owners
• Commercial property owners
• Property managers
• Licensed Master Plumbers who need filing support
• General contractors
• Real estate attorneys
• Buyers and sellers preparing for a closing

Why Choose NYC Water Main Services?

NYC Water Main Services focuses on the drawings, DEP and DOT filings and permit coordination that water service work requires in New York City. Part of the AAPC ecosystem.

DEP repairs City mains. Licensed Master Plumbers and licensed contractors repair private lines. We coordinate the filings and records that connect the two.