Homeowner guide · Water lines
Aqua vs. homeowner: who fixes the water line in Tredyffrin and Easttown?
In general, Aqua Pennsylvania maintains the water main in the street and the connection up to the curb stop, and the homeowner is responsible for the service line from there into the house, plus everything inside. Confirm the exact boundary for your address with Aqua before anyone digs.
Key takeaways
The short version
- Aqua usually owns the main and the connection up to the curb stop.
- The homeowner usually owns the service line from the curb stop to the house, the main shutoff, and all inside plumbing.
- Street flooding or a whole-street outage points to Aqua; a wet yard between curb and house points to your line.
- Main replacement work can cause brief discoloration, clogged aerators, and pressure changes.
- Pennsylvania law requires a call to 811 before digging.
Where the line between Aqua and you usually falls
Your water travels from Aqua Pennsylvania’s main under the street, through a connection called the corporation stop, to a curb stop valve near your property line, then through your service line and meter into the house. Responsibility usually splits at the curb stop.
| Part | Where it is | Usually responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Water main | Under the street | Aqua |
| Corporation stop | At the main, where your line taps in | Aqua |
| Curb stop | Near the property line, often under a small cover | Aqua, in general |
| Service line | Buried from the curb stop to the house | Homeowner |
| Water meter | Basement or outdoor meter pit | Confirm with Aqua |
| Main shutoff valve | Inside, where the line enters | Homeowner |
| Pressure reducing valve and all inside plumbing | Inside the house | Homeowner |
The details can vary by property and by Aqua’s tariff, so treat this as the typical pattern, not a guarantee. When there is any doubt, call Aqua before paying for excavation.
How to tell whose leak it is
A few observations usually point clearly one way or the other.
Signs it is Aqua’s
- Water bubbling up through the street or sidewalk
- The whole street loses water at once
- Neighbors report the same discolored water or taste
- Aqua crews or notices about work on your street
Signs it is yours
- A soggy or greener strip of lawn between the curb and the house
- Your meter moves with every fixture turned off
- Only your house has low pressure or no water
- Water near where the line comes through your foundation
The meter test
- Turn off every faucet, toilet, and water-using appliance.
- Find your meter in the basement or outdoor meter pit.
- Watch the dial or the small leak indicator for a few minutes.
- If it moves, water is leaving somewhere on your side of the meter.
What Aqua’s main replacement work means for your house
Aqua has been replacing old cast iron mains with ductile iron across Tredyffrin. Projects have included Yellow Springs Road, Salem Way, and Salem Court, and more recently Glenhardie Road between Walker Road and the Turnpike overpass and Bear Hill Road (Route 252) between Heatherstone Drive and Old Cassatt Road, with Easttown streets in the same program. The new mains are made from nearly 90 percent recycled metal.
New mains are good news for reliability, but the work itself can disturb the system for a while.
- Discolored water. Run cold water for a few minutes until it clears.
- Clogged aerators and screens. Unscrew faucet aerators and showerhead screens and rinse out sediment.
- Pressure changes. If pressure stays different for more than a week or two, have your service line and pressure reducing valve checked.
- Stuck appliance inlets. Washing machines, dishwashers, and ice makers have inlet screens that can clog with sediment.
If the leak is on your side
A leaking service line is the homeowner’s repair in most cases. The options depend on the pipe and the problem.
Spot repair
When one section failed and the rest of the line is sound, repairing only that section is usually the most economical choice.
Full replacement
When the line is old galvanized steel corroding throughout, or leaks keep recurring, replacing the whole line is the lasting fix.
Open trench
Straightforward and allows full inspection; best when the route is clear lawn.
Trenchless
Sometimes a new line can be pulled through with small access pits, sparing driveways and landscaping.
Before any digging, buried utilities must be marked through PA One Call. Pennsylvania requires the call at least three business days before excavation; dial 811.
Help with the cost of a leak
According to its Pennsylvania page, Aqua runs a Leak Repair Program for customers who are struggling financially and have a water leak in their home, along with a Customer Assistance Program and Aqua Aid grants. If a leak repair would be a hardship, it is worth asking Aqua about eligibility before work starts.
Aqua’s water quality reports list its customer service line as 877.987.2782, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. The number on your bill works too.
What is your service line made of?
Federal rules have required water utilities to inventory the materials of the service lines in their systems. If you do not know what yours is made of, Aqua may be able to tell you what its records show for your address, and you can look yourself where the line comes through the foundation.
- Copper: reddish brown, common and long lasting
- Plastic: common in newer lines and replacements
- Galvanized steel: dull gray with threaded joints, found in some older homes, and prone to internal rust that cuts pressure
The valve on your side that matters most
Whatever the answer on the service line, the main shutoff valve inside your house is yours. Many older T/E homes still have the original gate valve, which often will not close fully after decades sitting open, or breaks when finally turned in an emergency.
Test yours by turning it slowly until the water stops at a nearby faucet, then open it again. If it will not turn or does not stop the water, replacing it with a quarter turn ball valve is a small planned job that pays off the first time you need it. Aqua has long advised customers to clearly mark the master valve so anyone in the house can find it.
Buying a T/E home? Check the water line too
Standard home inspections focus on plumbing inside the house and rarely say much about the pipe buried between the curb and the foundation. In older neighborhoods like Strafford Village, that line may be as old as the house.
- Look at the pipe material where the line enters the basement
- Test the main shutoff and ask when it was last replaced
- Run a meter test with every fixture off, even in a vacant house
- Ask the seller whether the service line has ever been replaced, and ask Aqua what its records show
A few minutes of checking can reveal a replacement that is better negotiated before closing than discovered after.
When to call
Wet yard, high bill, or a meter that will not stop?
We locate the leak and tell you whether it is on your side of the curb stop or Aqua’s before anyone digs. Call (610) 788-0042.
Frequently asked questions
Water line responsibility questions
Answers by John, Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber.
Who is responsible for the water line in Tredyffrin and Easttown?
In general, Aqua maintains the main and the connection up to the curb stop, and the homeowner owns the service line from the curb stop into the house. Confirm the exact boundary for your address with Aqua.
How do I know if a leak is mine or Aqua’s?
Water in the street or a whole-street outage usually points to Aqua. A wet yard between the curb and your house, or a meter that moves with everything off, usually points to your service line.
Why is my water discolored after Aqua worked on the street?
Main work stirs sediment into the lines. Running cold water for a few minutes usually clears it, and cleaning faucet aerators restores flow.
Does Aqua help pay for leak repairs?
Aqua’s Pennsylvania page describes a Leak Repair Program for customers who are struggling financially and have a leak in their home. Ask Aqua about eligibility.
Do I need to call 811 before replacing a water line?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires contacting PA One Call, by dialing 811, at least three business days before excavation.
What is a curb stop?
A valve near the property line that can shut off water to the whole property from outside. It usually needs a special key and is typically operated by the utility or a plumber.
Is the water meter mine or Aqua’s?
Meters are typically utility equipment, but the pipes and valves around them on your side are usually yours. Confirm the arrangement for your property with Aqua, especially if your meter sits in an outdoor pit.
Our service area
Plumbing across Tredyffrin Township, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber serves every neighborhood in Tredyffrin Township, including Wayne, Strafford, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Devon, Daylesford, and Howellville, plus neighboring Easttown Township. Our office is at 217 Conestoga Rd, Suite 10, Wayne, PA 19087.