What is a water service pipe and who owns it?
Drinking water is distributed in the City through a series of underground pipes. The pipes generally are of two different types: water main and water service pipe. The water main is usually located adjacent to a street and includes fire hydrants and valves. It is owned by the City. Water service pipes connect the water main with homes and businesses. Water service pipe includes the underground pipe from the water main to the home or business and three valves. The three valves are a corporation stop, which is a valve connecting the water service pipe to the water main, a curb stop, which is a valve in the water service line between the water main and the home or business, and an interior stop, which is a valve inside the home or business near where the water service pipe enters. The water service pipe, including the three valves, is owned by the property owner of the home or business. As owner of the water service pipe, the property owner is responsible for all costs and expenses for th
