Who Pays for Water Service Line Repair in NYC?

What Is a Water Service Line?

A water service line is the pipe that connects a building's plumbing to the City's water main in the street. DEP states that property owners own and are responsible for their water service line in its entirety, so in most cases the owner pays for the repair.

DEP describes owner responsibility as covering the water and sewer service lines that extend from the property to the City's mains in the street. The City main is DEP's. The line from that main to the building is the owner's, including the part under the sidewalk and street.

NYC Water Main Services helps owners read the DEP notice, line up the Licensed Master Plumber and permits, and keep the records together.

DEP Rules for Water Service Line Repairs

• 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
• If the leak creates an emergency, such as flooding a neighbor's basement, DEP shuts off water and issues a Water Shut Off Notice for Non-Compliance or Emergency
• The Licensed Master Plumber must obtain all necessary DEP and DOT permits before performing repair work
• DEP turns water back on after the plumber completes the repairs and all fees owed to DEP are paid

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Water Service Line?

It depends on the policy. DEP says repairs to water and sewer service lines can cost thousands of dollars and are not covered by most home insurance policies. DEP notices also say repairs may be covered by the property's insurance policy, so the policy itself is the answer. NYC Water Main Services does not give insurance advice; ask your carrier or broker.

Water service line coverage is also available through DEP. These points come from DEP and the program terms published on nyc.gov:

• DEP partners with American Water Resources (AWR) on a voluntary water and sewer Service Line Protection Program
• Most residential and mixed-use properties with a single service line of 2 inches or smaller are eligible, if they have wireless meter reading devices and are current on DEP charges or payment agreements
• DEP lists the rates as $84.84 per year for water line protection and $143.04 per year for sewer line protection, billed on the DEP water and wastewater bill
• Under the water line program terms, protection starts 30 days after enrollment is processed and does not cover anything that occurred before that date
• Those terms exclude some conditions, such as privately owned mains, common or trunk lines, and problems caused by improper original installation
• DEP puts the average cost of a water line break repair in New York City at $3,000 to $5,000

Water Service Line Replacement at No Cost

For water service line replacement, DEP's Lead Service Line Replacement Program replaces private lead or galvanized steel lines with copper at no cost at eligible properties. Only owners who receive a letter from DEP, or who are contacted by DDC during water and sewer main work, are eligible. DEP notes that replacing a service line can otherwise cost more than $8,000.

What Is Included?

Our water service line support may include:

• Review of the DEP notice and its deadline
• A plain explanation of the owner's responsibility for the water service line
• Gathering the notice and repair records an insurer or AWR may ask the owner for
• Coordination with a Licensed Master Plumber
• DEP permit coordination
• DOT Street Opening Permit coordination where the street has to be opened
• Water service drawings where required
• Coordination of the licensed contractors who do the excavation and repair
• Organization of repair, inspection and fee records for closeout
• Communication with ownership, managers and attorneys

Why Is This Service Important?

A Water Shut Off Warning gives the owner three days. Missing it means a shut off and a $1,000 fee, and DEP warns that losing water service can lead to Buildings, Fire Department and Health Department violations and possibly an order to vacate.

Knowing who pays early helps. The owner can check the insurance policy and any Service Line Protection Program enrollment while the plumber and permits are being lined up.

Our Service Is Designed For:

• Homeowners who received a DEP Notice to Repair
• Owners whose water was shut off by DEP
• Multifamily building owners
• Mixed-use and commercial property owners
• Property managers
• Co-op and condo boards
• Licensed Master Plumbers who need filing support
• Real estate attorneys
• Buyers and sellers preparing for a closing
• Estate and trust representatives

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.

Licensed Master Plumbers and licensed contractors perform the physical repair. We keep the notice, permits and records in one place so the owner knows what is due and when.