Water service and repair
- Who sets the rules that govern water service lines?
- Who owns what?
- Property owner and M.U.D.
- Property owner
- Private water line
- If you're buying property
- What is a stop box?
- How does the District find out about water leaks?
- I have a leaking water service. What should I do?
- What happens if I choose not to make the repair in the allotted time?
- What happens if the work must be done immediately?
- What happens if M.U.D. contracts with a plumber to shut off the service at the main?
- What other problems may I have?
- Contact for water leak questions
Who sets the rules that govern water service lines?
Nebraska State Statutes give the District authority to establish the Water Rules and Regulations.
M.U.D. -- We are responsible for the maintenance, repair and location of the water main and corporation.
- The water main is the large pipe laid in or along a street. It is four inches or more in diameter with a fire hydrant attached to it.
- The corporation is a valve connecting the main to the water service line.
A private water line does not have a water main installed in front of the property.
Property Owner and M.U.D. -- The water meter measures the volume of water used. The property owner owns the water meter, however, we maintain it. We must have access to the meter for readings and maintenance. M.U.D. will replace the meter if it is defective.
Property Owner -- Most customers have a water service -- the line a builder laid from your home or business to our main. If the main is across the street, the service may run under the street. The property owner owns and maintains the water service line.
Water will be turned off when a leaking or broken service line causes damage, is a safety hazard, or if you fail to make arrangements for repair.
We issue notices for leaking or broken water services. Codes require that repairs be made by a master plumber, licensed by your city. Water service lines may not be relocated, repaired or modified without a permit from M.U.D. Any work must be inspected by the District.
A plumber can determine if the water service can be repaired, or will advise you of options. You may call us to verify the type of repair needed.
A service line that is connected to the closest main when there is no main adjacent to your property. Like a service line, the property owner owns and maintains the private water line. Sometimes a private line is shared by several customers.
Check with the seller or Realtor about the existing water service or private line. When was it installed? Have there been any repairs? When the service is very old and made of a material that can corrode, the service line may be deteriorated. If the water service line leaks, you're responsible for repairs.
The stop box is part of your water service. It is the small round metal box usually set in or near the sidewalk that provides emergency water shut off to your home or business.
Properly maintained, the top of the box remains flush with the sidewalk or ground. If the stop box is not flush with the sidewalk or ground, it creates a hazardous safety condition and exposes you to potential legal liability.
Please repair it or contact a Master Plumber. When the repair has been made, call us at 554.6666 to inspect it.
How does the District find out about water leaks?
Generally, customers will see water where they don't expect it to be. They contact us at 554.6666 to help determine the source of the water.
Our employees also may report potential problems. Some leaks are detected during routine maintenance on the water system. Not all leaks appear on the surface. Some only can be detected using special equipment.
A leaking water service requires prompt attention to get it shut off or fixed. If the leak causes damage or an accident, the property owner may have liability exposure for not attending to the situation in a timely manner.
I have a leaking water service. What should I do?
Contact a licensed master plumber. When repairs are complete, the plumber should contact us to make arrangements to have the repairs inspected. We do not make referrals for master plumbers.
What happens if I choose not to make the repair in the allotted time?
- If repairs are not made in the allotted time, the District has the authority to shut off the water service to stop the leak.
- If the leak is between the main and the stop box, the shut off will be made at the corporation to the water main.
- If the leak is between the stop box and the premises, an attempt will be made to shut the service off at the stop box.
- If the stop box is inoperable and the owner does not repair it, it will be shut off at the main.
What happens if the work must be done immediately?
If a water service leak is causing a safety hazard, such as icing on the street, we attempt to contact you to take immediate action. If we do not reach you or you do not take immediate action, we shut off the service. The cost of this work is billed to the responsible party.
What happens if M.U.D. contracts with a plumber to shut off the service at the main?
If the work is not completed within the allotted time period, we contract a licensed master plumber to shut off the service. The work is scheduled in seven to 10 working days. You are notified as to who will do the work and when.
If you decide to have the work done by your plumber, it must be completed before our contracted plumber arrives on site. If you contract with the District's plumber to do the repair work, the agreement and payment will be between you and the plumber.
Keep in mind that all the District's contracted plumber will do is dig to the water main and shut off the service at the corporation. The excavation would be left open for four days.
If no one contacts the District's plumber to complete the repairs, the plumber will fill the excavation, and if needed, have the street or sidewalk repaired. This work is billed to M.U.D. by the plumber. The District then bills the property owner.
What other problems may I have?
- If the service supplies water to more than one premise, such as two houses, decisions are between the parties involved. You need to work with the other parties to determine who pays what and who is responsible for what.
- If your plumber finds the water main is leaking, not the service, we will repair the water main. You may file a claim with M.U.D.'s legal department for charges billed to you by your plumber. The determination of whether the claim will be honored will be made on a case by case basis.
- You may have a private water service line. If your property does not front a water main, or your water service is not connected to the water main that fronts your property, you may have a "private water service line."
Rules governing private water service lines are slightly different than for a regular water service. Depending upon the extent of the repair, there may be additional administrative requirements and fees that must be paid before repairs can be done. Your plumber can advise you.
If you have other water leak questions, e-mail or call 504.7931.
Frequently asked questions
