Water & Sewer Lines
Who Is Responsible for the Water Line From the Street to Your House?
When the lawn gets soggy between the street and the house, the first question is usually "is this mine to fix?" The answer decides who you call and who pays. This guide explains how responsibility is split for homes in McLean and nearby Fairfax County, plus the Town of Vienna and Arlington. If the leak is on your side, our team handles water line repair in McLean, from locating the leak to replacing the line.
This is general information. Utility rules can change, so confirm details with your water provider.
What does Fairfax Water own?
Fairfax Water supplies drinking water to most of Fairfax County, including McLean, and to the Town of Herndon and the City of Falls Church, according to local reporting. An archived Fairfax Water page states that water meters and their settings are owned and maintained by Fairfax Water. For meters inside a home, it says the utility maintains only the meter and remote reader.
That means a leak at the meter itself, or a broken meter, is the utility's to fix.
Who is responsible for the water line from the street to the house?
Fairfax County's health department says that as a homeowner you are responsible for the water line into the house starting from the street lateral. The archived Fairfax Water page describes the customer's side as the service line from the meter or street valve to the main valve inside the home, plus all indoor plumbing.
| Part | Usually responsible | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Water main under the street | Utility | Fairfax Water |
| Meter and meter setting | Utility | Fairfax Water |
| Service line from the meter to the house | Homeowner | A plumber |
| Main shutoff valve in the house | Homeowner | A plumber |
| All plumbing inside the house | Homeowner | A plumber |
How do I tell which side the leak is on?
Use the meter test.
- Turn off every fixture and appliance.
- Close the main shutoff valve inside the house.
- Watch the meter's leak indicator.
If the meter still moves with the main valve closed, the leak is between the meter and that valve, which is on your side. If water is bubbling up at the meter box itself, call the utility. Our water meter leak test guide has step-by-step details.
What about the Town of Vienna and Arlington?
The Town of Vienna runs its own water utility. It serves nearly 5,600 customers, about a third of them outside town limits, and buys its water from Fairfax Water. Town customers should call the town about the meter and public side. The line on your property is still a private repair.
Arlington County runs its own water system too, so Arlington homeowners call the county about the meter and the street side.
Does homeowners insurance pay for the service line?
Often not for normal wear. Many standard policies treat sudden water damage differently from the cost to replace a worn-out pipe. Some insurers sell optional service line coverage. Virginia's Bureau of Insurance consumer guide tells homeowners to give immediate notice of a possible claim and protect the property from further damage. Ask your agent what your policy includes.
How is a service line repaired?
| Repair | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Spot repair at the leak | One leak on sound pipe |
| Open-trench replacement | Short runs, shallow lines, many leaks |
| Trenchless replacement | Long runs under lawns, driveways or landscaping, where soil and pipe allow |
A plumber should locate the leak before digging and have underground utilities marked. Fairfax County requires a residential plumbing permit for new water connections and for replacing or repairing plumbing equipment.
What about the sewer line?
The sewer works the same way in reverse. The private lateral that carries waste from your house to the public sewer main is generally the owner's to maintain. The main is the utility's. Roots and breaks in the lateral are a private repair. Our guide to sewer camera inspection cost explains how problems are found.
How can I protect my service line?
- Know where the line runs from the meter to the house.
- Keep large trees and heavy equipment away from it.
- Watch your bill and do a monthly meter check.
- Replace an old, seized main shutoff valve before an emergency.
- Ask about galvanized lines in older homes; they rust and narrow over time.
Local note: In Vienna, many homes are Town of Vienna water customers. In North Arlington, Arlington County is the utility. In Great Falls, many homes use private wells, so the owner is responsible for the whole system.
Related reading: Confirm a leak with the meter leak indicator, see what a sewer camera inspection costs, and learn how much it costs to find a hidden leak.
When should you call a plumber?
Call a plumber when the meter moves with your main valve closed, when you see wet or sunken ground over the line, when pressure drops throughout the house, or when the main shutoff will not close. Call the utility if water is coming from the meter itself.
Leak on your side of the meter in McLean? Call (571) 760-4451 for water line repair from McLean Plumber Works.
Frequently asked questions
Who fixes a leak at the water meter in Fairfax County?
An archived Fairfax Water page says water meters and their settings are owned and maintained by Fairfax Water. A leak at the meter itself is a utility call. A leak on the pipe after the meter is the homeowner's.
Is the line from the street to my house the city's or mine?
In Fairfax County, the county's health department says homeowners are responsible for the water line into the house starting from the street lateral.
Does homeowners insurance cover the water service line?
Many standard policies do not cover the cost to repair a worn-out underground line, though some offer added service line coverage. Check your policy and ask your agent.
Who do I call if I'm a Town of Vienna customer?
Call the Town of Vienna about the meter and public side. The town runs its own water utility and buys water from Fairfax Water. The line on your property is a private repair.
What about the sewer line?
The private sewer lateral from your house to the public main is generally the owner's to maintain. The public sewer main is the utility's.
Sources
- Fairfax County Health Department — Healthy Homes Fairfax
- Fairfax Water — Your Plumbing (archived page)
- Town of Vienna — Water and Sewer Services
- Tysons Reporter — Vienna water service and Fairfax Water (Jan. 2, 2024)
- Fairfax County Land Development Services — Residential Plumbing Permit
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance — Homeowners Insurance Consumer's Guide
Related guides
Leak on your side of the meter? Call for water line repair.
Call McLean Plumber Works any time, day or night. A plumber picks up and talks you through next steps.