Who Owns the Water Line to Your House? Homeowner vs. City in Northwest Indiana
Across Northwest Indiana, the homeowner owns the part of the water service line that runs into the house, and the water utility owns the main in the street. Where the utility’s side ends depends on who supplies your water: Hammond Water Works and the Town of Schererville start the owner’s side at the main, while Indiana American Water stops at the shutoff valve near the curb. Reichelt Plumbing is BBB A+ rated, fully licensed, bonded, and insured, has served Northwest Indiana since 1986, and is verified on Google Reviews and HomeAdvisor. Call (219) 322-4906 and a licensed plumber will help you confirm which side of the line a leak is on before anyone digs.
Not sure whether a leak is yours or the city’s? Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 for a licensed plumber who will trace it first.
Where Your Responsibility Starts
There is no single rule for every Indiana utility. Each water provider sets its own dividing point through its rules or a town ordinance, so the answer can change from one town to the next. The table shows the published rules for three providers that serve Northwest Indiana.
| Water Provider | Utility Owns and Maintains | Homeowner Owns and Maintains | Where It Is Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond Water Works | The water main in the street | The service line from the main to the meter | Hammond Water Works FAQ |
| Town of Schererville | Water mains, the B-box (shutoff box), and the meter | All service lines from the main to the structure and the plumbing inside, except the meter and B-box | Town of Schererville service line |
| Indiana American Water | The line from the main to the curb stop, the curb stop itself, and the meter | The line from the curb stop or curb line to the building | Indiana American Water rights and responsibilities |
If your bill comes from another town or district, the same question applies. Check that provider’s service line or call its office and ask exactly where its responsibility ends. The answer decides who hires the repair, who pays for it, and who needs to be called first when water shows up where it should not.
What a Water Service Line Is, From the Street to the Faucet
A water service line is the buried pipe that connects the public water main to the plumbing in your home. It is separate from the supply lines inside the walls, although many utilities treat everything past the dividing point as the owner’s responsibility. Once you know the parts, the ownership rules are much easier to follow.
- Water main: the large utility-owned pipe under the street.
- Tap or connection: the point where the service line attaches to the main.
- Curb stop: a valve near the curb or property line that lets the utility shut off one property. It is also called a curb box, a shutoff valve, or a B-box in Schererville.
- Service line: the buried pipe between the main and the house, made of lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic depending on the home’s age.
- Water meter: the device that measures use, set in a pit outside or, in many older homes, inside the basement or crawl space near where the line enters.
- Main shutoff valve: the first valve inside the house, which belongs to the owner.
- Interior supply lines: the pipes in the walls and floors that feed every fixture and appliance.
The confusing part is that the owner’s section often runs under the street and the sidewalk. Public ground does not always mean public pipe, and homeowners are regularly surprised to learn that the line beneath the road in front of the house is theirs to maintain.
Who Pays When the Water Line Leaks or Breaks?
The location of the failure decides who handles it. Use this table as a starting point, then confirm with your provider, since the dividing point differs by utility.
| Where the Problem Is | Who Usually Handles It | First Step |
|---|---|---|
| Water main in the street, such as pressure loss across the block or water surfacing in the road | Water utility | Call the utility’s emergency line |
| Curb stop or B-box that is broken, buried, or will not turn | Utility in Schererville and Indiana American Water territory; ask Hammond Water Works about yours | Call the utility before anyone digs |
| Service line between the main and the dividing point | Owner in Hammond and Schererville; utility in Indiana American Water territory | Confirm with the utility, then call a plumber |
| Service line from the dividing point to the house | Homeowner | Hire a licensed plumber to locate and repair |
| Meter that leaks, freezes, or is damaged | Utility, in the systems reviewed here | Call the utility |
| Main shutoff, supply lines, and plumbing inside the house | Homeowner | Call a licensed plumber |
When the failure sits in the owner’s section, the repair is the homeowner’s job and expense. A licensed plumber can pinpoint the leak and confirm which side of the line it is on, which keeps a repair from being started on the wrong section.
How to Find Out Who Owns Your Water Line in 10 Minutes
- Find your water provider on the latest bill. Hammond Water Works, the Town of Schererville, and Indiana American Water each publish an ownership rule, linked in the table above.
- Look for the curb stop lid in the yard, curb strip, or sidewalk. It is usually a small round or square metal cover, often marked with a W or the word water.
- Find the water meter and the main shutoff valve. Our guide on how to shut off your main water valve shows what to look for.
- Note the pipe material where the line enters the house. Hammond Water Works describes a scratch test and a magnet test in its service line identification survey that help separate lead, galvanized steel, and copper.
- Call the utility with your address and ask three questions: where its responsibility ends, who maintains the curb stop and meter, and whether your address is in a lead line replacement program.
- Call Indiana 811 at least two full working days before any digging so buried utilities are marked.
- If you suspect a leak, turn off every fixture and check the meter’s low-flow indicator. If it moves, water is escaping somewhere, and the EPA’s Fix a Leak Week resources explain the quick checks to rule out toilets first.
What Causes a Water Service Line to Fail?
Service lines are buried and out of sight, so failures are usually the end of a slow process that went unnoticed for years. Several causes show up repeatedly in Northwest Indiana homes.
- Age and material: lead and galvanized steel were common in older homes, and both deteriorate. Hammond Water Works reports that most of its more than 27,000 service lines are lead or galvanized.
- Corrosion: galvanized steel rusts from the inside and narrows the pipe, and copper can develop pinholes over time.
- Freeze and thaw cycles: Northwest Indiana winters push frost into the ground and shift the soil around buried pipe, which stresses old joints and fittings.
- Tree roots and ground movement: roots can press on or pull at a line, and settling after nearby digging can bend it.
- Pressure spikes: sudden changes in pressure strain old fittings, and our post on water hammer and pressure spikes explains how they start.
- Poor original installation: shallow burial, rocks against the pipe, and weak connections all shorten a line’s life.
Service Line Materials at a Glance
| Pipe Material | Common Problem | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Rarely leaks, but it can add lead to drinking water | The EPA notes that homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, so ask your utility about replacement programs |
| Galvanized steel | Rusts from the inside, narrows, and loses pressure | Low flow at every fixture often appears before a leak does |
| Copper | Pinholes and failed joints | A pinhole leak in copper piping can start small and grow |
| Plastic (PEX or polyethylene) | Fewer corrosion problems, but fittings and installation quality matter | A common choice for a replacement line |
Warning Signs of a Leaking or Failing Water Line
- A water bill that rises without any change in how you use water
- A meter that keeps moving when every fixture and appliance is off
- A wet, soft, or unusually green patch in the yard, or water pooling near the curb or foundation
- Low pressure at every fixture instead of just one
- The sound of running water when nothing is on
- Cloudy, discolored, or sandy water after a change in pressure
- Moisture where the line enters the basement or crawl space
- A depression or sinkhole developing in the lawn along the line’s path
Any of these deserves a prompt look. Our guide to finding an underground water leak describes how leaks are traced, and Reichelt Plumbing’s leak detection service uses equipment that listens for escaping water so digging is limited to the right spot.
DIY Checks vs. Calling a Licensed Plumber
| You Can Safely Do | Leave to a Licensed Plumber or the Utility |
|---|---|
| Find the curb stop lid, meter, and main shutoff | Pinpoint the leak with acoustic equipment and pressure testing |
| Read the meter and run the no-use leak check | Repair or replace any section of the service line |
| Drop dye in toilet tanks to rule out silent toilet leaks | Anything that involves the utility’s tap, curb stop, or meter (call the utility) |
| Photograph wet areas and note the date and meter reading | Excavation, permits, and inspections |
| Call the utility to ask where its responsibility ends | Lead line identification and replacement |
Plumbing work needs the right license. For example, the City of Hammond’s Building Division states that a State of Indiana plumbing license is required to perform any plumbing work in the city. A buried line dug up without a locate can strike gas, electric, or communication lines, which is why the locate call comes first.
Your Options When the Line Is Your Responsibility
Repair a Section
When the leak is limited to one joint or short section and the rest of the line is sound, a spot repair can restore service with limited excavation. Leak detection narrows the dig to a specific spot, which reduces damage to the lawn, driveway, and landscaping. Our overview of five signs a water line needs replacement helps you judge whether a repair will hold.
Replace the Line
Replacement makes sense when the line is lead or galvanized, has leaked more than once, or has lost pressure from internal corrosion. A new copper or PEX line replaces lead and galvanized pipe and stops the cycle of repeat repairs. Read more about when and why a water line needs replacement, or see our water line repair and replacement services. If corrosion has spread to the pipes inside the house, whole-house repiping may be worth considering in the same project.
Lead Line Programs and Funding
Federal rules are pushing utilities to deal with lead lines. The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require water systems to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, and the EPA estimates that about 4 million lead service lines still serve properties across the country, according to its lead service line. In Indiana, water systems had to submit inventories covering both utility-owned and customer-owned portions, as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management explains. Ask your utility whether your address is on a replacement list before you pay for a private replacement.
Insurance and Protection Plans
Standard homeowners policies often exclude underground service lines or limit what they pay, and some insurers and utility partners offer optional line protection. Read your policy and ask your agent what applies to a buried water line, and what documentation a claim would need. Photos, dated meter readings, and written plumber findings all help.
Local Context: Hammond, Schererville, and Nearby Towns
- Hammond: according to the Hammond Water Works FAQ, owners are responsible for the service line from the main to the meter. The city also runs a funded pilot that replaces the full line from the main to the meter at no cost to the homeowner in eligible neighborhoods. Our Hammond water line service covers the details.
- Schererville: the Town’s service line page makes owners responsible for repairing all service lines from the main to the structure, except the meter and B-box. It also says owners must fix a reported leak or defect within five business days of notice, or the Town may make the repair and charge the owner. See our Schererville plumbers for local service.
- Indiana American Water: the company owns the line from the main to the curb stop, while the customer owns the line from the curb stop to the building.
- Digging: Indiana 811 requires at least two full working days of notice before excavation.
- Season: late autumn is a practical time to check a suspect line, because frozen ground makes excavation slower and leaks harder to read.
When to Call Reichelt Plumbing
Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 when you see a warning sign, when the utility tells you a leak is on your side of the line, or when you are buying a home and want the water line checked. A licensed technician confirms the pipe material, locates the leak, explains your options, and coordinates the locate call, permit, and inspection when digging is needed. Water that is flooding a basement or a line that has failed completely is a job for our 24/7 emergency plumbing team, available any hour.
| Why Choose Reichelt Plumbing | Water Line Service in Northwest Indiana |
|---|---|
| 38+ Years of Experience | Licensed plumbing service across Northwest Indiana since 1986 |
| Licensed and Insured | Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, with background-checked technicians |
| BBB A+ Rated | Read our BBB A+ rating and customer history |
| Verified Reviews | Google Reviews | HomeAdvisor | BBB | Facebook |
| Coupon Savings | Current offers on qualifying services on our plumbing coupons |
| Flat-Rate Pricing | Upfront flat-rate pricing confirmed before any work begins |
| 18-Month Guarantee | 18-month workmanship guarantee on qualifying installation and repair work |
| 24/7 Emergency Service | Water line failures answered any hour, any day |
Frequently Asked Questions: Who Owns the Water Line to Your House
Who is responsible for the water line from the street to my house?
Usually the homeowner owns the service line that carries water into the house, and the water utility owns the main in the street. The exact dividing point depends on your provider. Hammond Water Works and the Town of Schererville put the owner’s side at the main, while Indiana American Water stops at the curb stop. Your provider’s published rules are the final word.
Who owns the water line under the street in front of my house?
It depends on the utility. In Hammond, owners are responsible for the service line from the main to the meter, which includes the section under the street. In Schererville, owners are responsible for service lines from the main to the structure. Under Indiana American Water’s rules, the company owns the line from its main to the curb stop.
What is a curb stop, and who owns it?
A curb stop, also called a curb box, shutoff valve, or B-box, is a valve near the curb or property line that lets the utility turn water off to one property. Indiana American Water lists the curb stop as company-owned, and the Town of Schererville says it maintains the B-box. Ask Hammond Water Works about the valve at your address.
Who owns the water meter?
The utility owns the meter in the systems reviewed here. The Town of Schererville says meters are repaired or replaced only by its Water Department, and Indiana American Water says it owns and installs the meter. The line on the house side of the meter, and the plumbing inside, is normally the homeowner’s responsibility.
Who is responsible if the water main in my street breaks?
The water utility is responsible for the main in the street. Signs include pressure loss across the block, discolored water, or water surfacing in the road. Report it to your utility right away. If water is flowing into your home from your own line, shut off the main valve inside and call a licensed plumber.
How do I find out where my responsibility for the water line begins?
Start with your provider’s published service line rules, then find your curb stop lid, meter, and main shutoff valve. Call the utility with your address and ask where its responsibility ends. A licensed plumber can also confirm which section a leak is on before anyone excavates.
Who owns the water line in Hammond, Indiana?
The Hammond Water Works FAQ states that property owners own the service line from the water main to the meter, and that the city maintains the main. A leak in that section is normally the homeowner’s repair. The city also runs a funded lead line pilot that replaces the full line from the main to the meter at no cost in eligible neighborhoods.
Who owns the water line in Schererville, Indiana?
The Town of Schererville states that owners are responsible for maintaining and repairing all service lines from the main to the structure, and the plumbing inside, except the meter and the B-box. The Town maintains the mains and the B-box. Owners must fix a reported leak or defect within five business days of notice, or the Town may make the repair and charge the owner.
What does Indiana American Water own versus the customer?
Indiana American Water states that it owns and maintains the service line from the main to the curb stop or curb line, plus the curb stop and the meter. The customer owns and maintains the service line from the curb stop or curb line to the building. Review the company’s rights and responsibilities page for the current wording.
How can I tell if my water service line is leaking?
Common signs are a rising water bill, a meter that moves with every fixture off, a soft or green patch in the lawn, low pressure at every fixture, and the sound of running water. Rule out toilets with a dye test first. A plumber can then confirm the leak with acoustic equipment and pressure testing, as described in our guide to finding a water leak fast.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken water service line?
Often not by default. Many standard policies exclude underground service lines or cap what they pay, and some insurers and utility partners sell optional line protection. Check your policy language and ask your agent what applies to a buried water line and what documentation a claim requires.
Who pays to replace a lead water service line?
It depends on the utility and its program. Federal rules require water systems to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years, and Hammond Water Works runs a funded pilot that replaces the full line from the main to the meter at no cost in eligible neighborhoods. Ask your utility whether your address is covered before paying for a private replacement.
Do I need to call 811 before repairing a water line?
Yes, before any digging. Indiana 811 asks for notice at least two full working days before excavation so buried gas, electric, and communication lines can be marked. Reichelt Plumbing handles the locate call, permit, and inspection when a repair needs excavation, and coordinates with the utility for work at its main, curb stop, or meter.
Is the sewer line to the street my responsibility too?
In many communities the owner is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the connection at the main, but the rules differ by town and sewer district, so confirm with your provider. A camera inspection shows the lateral’s condition before repairs are planned. Our sewer inspection and repair services cover the options.
How do I schedule a water line inspection or repair in Northwest Indiana?
Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906 or send an online service request. A licensed technician checks the meter and pressure, identifies the pipe material, locates any leak, and explains whether a repair or a replacement fits. Qualifying work carries an 18-month guarantee, and emergencies are answered 24/7.
Questions about who owns your water line, or a leak you cannot place? Call Reichelt Plumbing at (219) 322-4906. BBB A+ rated, fully licensed, bonded, and insured, with flat-rate pricing and 24/7 emergency service.
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