If you see water pooling in the yard, hear water running underground or lose pressure suddenly, close the main valve inside the house and call. Our 24/7 dispatch takes service line emergencies at night and on weekends. The line is buried, so the first move is to confirm it is the service line and not an interior leak.
How to tell a service line leak from an interior leak
- Turn off every fixture and appliance that uses water.
- Find your water meter and read it, or note whether the dial is moving.
- Close the main valve inside the house.
- Check the meter again. If it still moves, the leak is between the meter and the valve, or on the utility side.
- If the meter stops, the leak is inside the house.
A moving meter with the main closed means the leak is on the street side of your valve. The line between the meter and the house is generally yours. The line between the street and the meter is generally the utility's. Ask your water utility where the boundary is for your property.
Who owns which part
| Town | Water system | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Hingham, Hull, North Cohasset | Weir River Water System | Where does ownership change at the curb or meter |
| Weymouth | Weymouth Water Department | Line ownership and shutoff location |
| Norwell | Norwell Water Department | Meter and line responsibility |
| Cohasset | Cohasset Water Department | Service connection rules |
The Weir River Water System lists a 24-hour customer line in its water quality report, and its report notes more than 194 miles of pipe. Weymouth's department serves about 55,000 residents with over 16,000 service connections. If you suspect the leak is on the utility side, call them too.
Finding the leak underground
Buried leaks are found with acoustic listening devices and line locators, and sometimes with tracer gas. We narrow the spot before digging. Digging blindly can cost more than the leak.
Once the location is confirmed, we call Dig Safe at 811, which is required before any excavation in Massachusetts. They need at least 72 business hours of notice, and the contractor holds the ticket. See also our leak detection service.
Repair or replace the service line
Choosing the repair
- Spot repairA single break in a sound line can be cut out and repaired with a new section.
- Replace the lineIf the pipe is old galvanized or lead, or has several leaks, replacement makes more sense.
- Trenchless optionsWhere the line runs under a drive or walkway, boring or pulling a new pipe can avoid trenching.
- New shutoffWe often add a new main shutoff valve inside the house during the repair.
Hingham's permit schedule lists $60 for residential underground plumbing, with inspection required. Replacing the line also affects the connection at the meter, which is part of the utility's equipment. We coordinate with the utility when needed.
What a leaking service line can do
A buried leak can wash out soil under a driveway or foundation, and it can raise your bill month after month. In coastal Hull and in parts of Weymouth, wet soil from a leak and high groundwater can look alike. We confirm with testing instead of guessing.
If the line is old, a repair can be followed by another break a few feet away. That is why we look at pipe material and age before choosing the plan. See burst pipe repair for interior breaks.
What service line repair costs
Service line jobs are priced by length, depth and the surface above the line.
What moves the price
- Length and depthA longer, deeper line costs more to dig.
- Surface restorationAsphalt, concrete and landscaping must be put back.
- Pipe materialCopper, PEX and HDPE lines have different costs.
- Utility coordinationMeter work and connection fees may apply.
- Permits and Dig SafeTown inspection and mark-out timing affect scheduling.
Homeowner policies often exclude buried line leaks unless you have a service line endorsement. Ask your agent.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We repair service lines in ZIP codes 02043, 02044, 02025, 02188 through 02191, 02061 and 02045. For an active leak, call our dispatch line and tell us whether the meter is moving.
Digging up the line to the street needs a Dig Safe ticket from 811 at least 72 business hours ahead, and the contractor is responsible for holding a valid ticket according to Mass.gov.
Questions homeowners ask
A moving meter with all water off, a wet spot in the yard, low pressure or a sudden high bill can point to one.
Yes. We take service line emergencies 24/7, including nights and weekends. Close the main valve inside the house and call.
Usually the homeowner owns the part from the meter to the house. The utility owns the part from the main to the meter. Ask your water utility.
Yes. It is required in Massachusetts before any digging, and the contractor holds the ticket.
A spot repair can take a day. A full replacement can take longer, depending on length and restoration.
Sometimes, where the route and soil allow. We tell you after we locate the line.