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A new water service line project usually involves utility approval, excavation, a connection at the water main, installation or replacement of the pipe to your meter or house plumbing, inspection, meter activation and restoration. The exact order, cost, outage and responsibility split depend on the water utility and permitting authority serving your address. Before excavation, obtain the project scope in writing—especially who handles the private-side pipe, permits, inspections, shutoff, meter and restoration.
First, identify what kind of project you have
“New service line” can mean a brand-new connection to a water main, replacement of an existing line, or work associated with a water-main project. Those categories can place different tasks and costs on the utility, the property owner or a contractor. Start with the serving water utility rather than assuming a standard national process.
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Ask the utility to explain, in writing, the sequence for your address and to identify the responsible party for each item:
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- Utility locates, excavation, traffic control and permits.
- The tap or connection at the public water main.
- The pipe in the public right-of-way and the pipe on your property.
- A meter pit, meter, meter stop, curb stop or other shutoff equipment.
- Private-side plumbing, a licensed-plumber requirement and the final connection.
- Inspection points and whether the trench must remain open until approval.
- Water shutoff, account activation and permanent sidewalk, street or landscape restoration.
Denver Water, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) describe different sequences. Those examples demonstrate why your utility’s notice and local permit, not a generic checklist, control the job.
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What to arrange before crews arrive
Confirm the route, meter and access
Have the utility or contractor mark the proposed route from the main or curb to the building. Confirm the planned meter location and the point where the service enters the house. Clear stored items, shelving and furniture from interior access points. If a meter pit is involved, keep the area reachable for an inspector and meter technician.
For lead-service-line participants, Denver Water advises moving belongings away from the service entry and removing vegetation you want to save near excavation. Follow your project’s instructions; do not remove plants or structures until the utility confirms the work limits.
Get the paperwork and payment scope
Request the written agreement, permit conditions and restoration description before signing or excavation. Ask whether the quoted amount is a one-time connection charge, a construction estimate, a deposit or a recurring account fee. Exact costs cannot be stated without your address, utility, pipe length, soil and right-of-way requirements.
Confirm who arranges utility locates, street or sidewalk permits, traffic control and inspections. SPU separates right-of-way installation from owner installation and inspection of the private line. LADWP describes the customer or plumber making the connection between the property pipe and a new meter after the utility’s installation. Those are local procedures, not universal rules.
Plan for people, pets and vehicles
- Move vehicles, trailers, outdoor furniture and equipment away from the excavation and meter route.
- Keep children and pets out of the work zone; fencing or temporary access may be required.
- Tell the utility about residents who depend on water-powered medical equipment or need uninterrupted access.
- Arrange an alternative water supply and toilet plan if the utility schedules a shutoff.
- Ask where workers will park and whether driveway, sidewalk or building access will be restricted.
Do not assume you can leave while crews work. Philadelphia Water Department says an owner or representative must be home for its replacement program because the crew needs access to the indoor meter. Denver Water’s lead-line program requires an adult to be present throughout the workday. Your project may have a different rule.
What happens during installation
Excavation and the public connection
Crews may dig at the curb, sidewalk, yard and building entry, expose the existing service, and access the water main. They may remove the old line, install a new pipe and connect it to the main, meter or house plumbing. Philadelphia’s replacement description says its crew digs near the curb, removes the old line and inserts the replacement underground to meet the indoor meter.
The excavation method, trench dimensions and work area depend on utility design, site conditions and permits. Do not treat an open trench, a particular insertion technique or a trenchless approach as guaranteed. The utility determines the method for the site.
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Water shutoff and project duration
Water may be unavailable while the old service is disconnected, the new line is connected, tests are completed and the meter is set. Total time on site is not the same as time without water, so ask for both estimates.
| Published example | What the figure means | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Water Department: four to six hours | Estimated replacement time in its program | A program estimate, not a universal outage or completion time |
| Denver Water: four to eight hours | Most lead-line replacements in its program take this long; water may be off for that period | Applies to that lead-replacement program and its projects |
| LADWP: one to two days per service | Installation-time range for small services | Depends on the job and field conditions; it is not presented as a continuous water-shutoff estimate |
Weather, rock, groundwater, utility conflicts, failed inspections and traffic-control requirements can change the schedule. Ask what event will trigger a delay notice and who will contact you.
Connection to the house
Depending on local rules, the utility may install to a meter or curb stop while a licensed plumber completes the property-side connection. Confirm whether your plumber must be licensed by the local authority, whether a separate plumbing permit is required and whether the utility must witness the final connection.
Who owns and maintains each part of the line?
There is no nationwide boundary. Responsibility may change at the meter, meter stop, curb stop, property line or another utility-defined point. Some systems assign the owner the private line and connection; others retain responsibility for more of the service.
Portland code illustrates how maintenance duties can be assigned by segment and meter configuration, while SPU’s process distinguishes utility right-of-way work from owner installation and inspection. Use those examples only as illustrations. Your agreement, code and permit govern your address.
Ask for a marked drawing or written description that identifies:
- Who owns the pipe from the main to the curb or property line.
- Who owns the pipe from that point to the meter and from the meter into the building.
- Who repairs leaks, freezes, damaged fittings and future failures on each segment.
- Who pays for the tap, meter, meter box, shutoff valves and final connection.
- Who must maintain access for future meter reading or repairs.
Keep this allocation with your closing and plumbing records. A future leak dispute is much easier to resolve when the boundary is documented before the trench is closed.
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Inspection, meter setting and turning water back on
Required inspections
The utility or building department may inspect the private underground line before it is covered. SPU describes inspection of the private line before backfill. Denver Water says it inspects the meter pit and sets the meter and turns on water if the pit passes. Ask whether the pipe, bedding, tracer wire, fittings or meter pit must remain exposed for inspection.
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Do not cover a connection that the permit says must be inspected. If an inspector finds an incorrect depth, fitting, material or separation from another utility, the trench may need to be reopened.
Reconnection and activation checklist
- Confirm that the required inspection has passed and that the utility has authorized backfill.
- Verify that the meter, meter stop and account are installed or activated.
- Open interior faucets slowly and check visible joints, the meter area and the service entry for leaks.
- Ask whether the utility requires flushing, disinfection, pressure testing or a waiting period before drinking or cooking.
- Record the meter reading and retain the completion notice, inspection approval and contractor contact information.
If pressure is low, water is discolored or no water returns after the scheduled activation, close the home’s main valve if necessary to limit damage and call the utility or plumber. Do not operate a street-side valve unless the utility authorizes you to do so.
Will the yard, driveway or sidewalk be repaired?
Restoration is a contract and permit question, not an automatic promise that every disturbed feature will be replaced. Before work, obtain a written list of what will be backfilled, seeded, paved or replaced and the expected timing.
| Feature | Questions to settle before excavation |
|---|---|
| Soil and grass | Will the contractor backfill, add topsoil, seed or replace sod? Is watering or follow-up included? |
| Standard concrete | Will ordinary walkways or slabs be replaced, and to what thickness or finish? |
| Landscaping | Who pays for shrubs, trees, irrigation, decorative beds or plant replacement? |
| Driveways and hardscape | Are pavers, stamped concrete, retaining walls, decks or fences included? |
| Street and sidewalk right-of-way | Which party holds the restoration permit and remains responsible for permanent repairs? |
Philadelphia’s program says it fills holes, replaces grassy areas with dirt and seed, and replaces standard concrete walkways or slabs, while noting that other property features may be disturbed. SPU assigns permanent right-of-way restoration to the financially responsible party under its process. Neither policy applies automatically elsewhere.
Photograph the route, pavement, landscaping and structures before work. Keep receipts and written notices if the restoration is incomplete or damage exceeds the agreed scope.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the old or new line involves lead or galvanized pipe
Lead-related replacement has additional risk-mitigation steps. EPA’s October 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) fact sheet describes notice of possible temporary lead increases, written flushing instructions, a certified pitcher or point-of-use filter with six months of replacement cartridges and instructions, and an offer of a follow-up tap sample three to six months after replacement.
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The fact sheet states: “For any service line replacement, notification and risk mitigation measures must occur before the affected line is returned to service.” Follow the utility’s exact timing and flushing procedure; do not substitute a general internet flushing recipe.
Choosing a filter when the utility directs you to use one
EPA’s consumer filter tool describes pitcher and point-of-use devices evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body for lead reduction to 5 parts per billion or less and Class I particulate reduction under NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 42. Check the exact model in an accredited certification listing, use it only as directed and replace cartridges on schedule.
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An unspecified “water filter” is not evidence of lead reduction. Filtration does not eliminate the need to flush as instructed, and it is not a universal purchase for every new service-line installation. If your utility identifies galvanized pipe or a partial replacement, ask whether additional sampling or a longer mitigation period applies.
Questions to ask before the crew leaves
- Has the meter been set, read and activated, and is my account live?
- Which segment is mine to maintain, and where exactly is the boundary?
- Have all inspections passed, and may the trench be covered?
- What flushing, disinfection or sampling steps are required before drinking water?
- Who is responsible for each restoration item, and what is the completion date?
- Whom should I call for a leak, low pressure, discoloration or an unsettled restoration claim?
Common problems and how to respond
The crew cannot access the meter
Clear the interior route and contact the project coordinator immediately. A missed access appointment can leave the line disconnected or delay inspection and meter activation.
The work takes longer than the estimate
Ask whether the delay is caused by excavation conditions, a failed inspection, a utility conflict or restoration scheduling. Request the revised water-shutoff window and a new completion time in writing.
The yard or pavement is restored differently than promised
Compare the result with the signed agreement and permit. Send dated photographs and a written notice to the financially responsible party; distinguish ordinary restoration from damage to excluded landscaping or hardscape.
Water is cloudy, rusty or tastes unusual after activation
Follow the utility’s flushing and sampling instructions. If the utility identifies lead-related work, use the provided certified filter and contact the utility before drinking or cooking if the instructions call for it. Persistent discoloration, odor, low pressure or a leak warrants a utility or licensed-plumber inspection.
A practical handoff record for your files
Keep the project notice, agreement, permits, inspection approvals, photographs, invoices, meter number, final reading, restoration correspondence and any lead-risk notice together. Record the date water was restored and the names and phone numbers for the utility, contractor and permitting office. These documents establish what was installed, who maintains it and what remains to be completed.
Because costs, schedules, shutoff rules, permits and ownership boundaries are address-specific, confirm every unresolved item with the serving utility and local permitting authority before work begins.
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