Minneapolis, MN
Frozen water service lines in Minneapolis
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In Minneapolis, property owners own the water service line from its connection at the water main to the meter, including the curb valves, and are responsible for hiring and paying someone to repair it if it leaks or freezes. The City can provide a list of licensed contractors and help with bidding; water emergencies go to 612-673-5600.
What's different in Minneapolis
Minneapolis property owners own the water service line from its connection to the water main to its connection to the meter and are responsible for making sure the line and curb valves work. [1]
Owners are responsible for hiring and paying someone to repair the water line if it leaks or freezes. [1]
The City can provide a list of licensed plumbing contractors for a water emergency and can help with the bidding process. [1]
Water emergencies go to Public Works Water Treatment & Distribution Services at 612-673-5600; the City notes most service lines are buried deep enough not to freeze, and lines that haven't frozen before are unlikely to now. [1]
You own the line all the way to the main
Minneapolis owners are responsible for more than the pipe in their yard: the line runs from the connection at the water main, under the street and curb, to the meter. If it freezes or leaks anywhere along that run, you hire and pay the contractor. The City helps by providing a contractor list and helping with bids, which is useful when many lines freeze in the same cold snap.
Is it the service line or the house plumbing?
| What you see | Likely problem |
|---|---|
| No water anywhere, meter not moving | Frozen service line or meter; call 612-673-5600 |
| Some faucets work, others don't | Frozen pipes inside the house on cold walls |
| Neighbors also have no water | Main break or utility issue |
Preventing frozen pipes in a Minneapolis winter
- Keep the basement where the line enters heated and seal drafts near the meter.
- Keep the thermostat steady day and night during extreme cold.
- Open cabinet doors on exterior walls.
- If the City issues a run-water advisory for your address, follow it.
Further reading: How to thaw frozen pipes safely.
What Minneapolis homeowners usually check next
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Who owns the water service line in Minneapolis?
The property owner, from the connection at the water main to the meter, including the curb valves.
Who pays to fix a frozen water line in Minneapolis?
The property owner hires and pays a contractor to thaw or repair it.
Will the City of Minneapolis help find a contractor?
Yes. The City can provide a list of licensed plumbing contractors and help with the bidding process.
What number do I call for a Minneapolis water emergency?
Public Works Water Treatment & Distribution Services at 612-673-5600.
Are Minneapolis water lines likely to freeze?
Most are buried deep enough not to freeze; if yours hasn't frozen before, it's unlikely to now, but extreme frost can still reach shallow lines.
How do I tell if my service line or my house pipes are frozen?
If no faucet works and the meter isn't moving, suspect the service line or meter; if only some faucets fail, suspect interior pipes.
Should I run water to prevent freezing in Minneapolis?
Follow any City run-water advisory for your address; otherwise keep the entry area warm and drafts sealed.
Do I own the curb valve in Minneapolis?
Owners are responsible for making sure the curb valves on their service line work.
How do I keep my Minneapolis meter from freezing?
Keep the basement heated, seal drafts near the meter and don't enclose it in an unheated space.
Who do I call if a pipe bursts in my Minneapolis home?
Shut off the main valve and call a licensed plumber for burst pipe repair; for service line or meter emergencies, call 612-673-5600.
More plumbing help in Minneapolis
- Sewer Line Repair in MinneapolisMinneapolis sewer laterals: owners maintain the line to the main, wye included, and the city's assessment program spreads costs over property taxes.
- Frozen Pipe Repair: the full guideHow to tell if a pipe is frozen, how to thaw it safely, what not to do, and how to protect vulnerable pipes before the next hard freeze.
- Plumbing in MinneapolisLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Minneapolis homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- Frozen pipe and water line help in St. PaulFrozen pipes in St. Paul: what Saint Paul Regional Water Services covers, why frozen meter damage is billed to owners, prevention steps, and what to do first.
- Frozen water lines in AnchorageFrozen service lines in Anchorage: AWWU's rule that customers thaw lines from the main, the key box and thaw wire you must keep exposed, and what AWWU maintains.
- Frozen pipes and water meters in BuffaloFrozen meters in Buffalo: the Water Board rule that owners protect meters from freezing, charges for damage, shutoff if unpaid, and prevention.
- Frozen pipes and meters in PhiladelphiaFrozen pipes in Philadelphia: keep the meter area above 40°F, trickle a faucet, shut off outdoor lines, check neighbors first.
- Frozen pipes in San AntonioFrozen pipes in San Antonio: pipes past the SAWS meter are the owner's, how to shut water off at the meter, SAWS freeze tips, and what not to do.
- Frozen pipes in DallasFrozen pipes in Dallas: DWU's freeze prep, the private shutoff you're responsible for, required sprinkler freeze sensors, and what to do in a water emergency.
- Frozen pipes in Houston: why the city says don't dripFrozen pipes in Houston: Houston Public Works' prep tips, why it has advised against dripping faucets (pumps, not towers), and shutting off and draining instead.
Sources (1)
- City of Minneapolis, Frozen water service lines · checked 2026-10-03