New York City, NY
Water and sewer service line repair in New York City
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In New York City, property owners own and are responsible for both the water service line from the street main and the sewer connection to the city sewer. When DEP finds a leak or defect, it serves a notice with a deadline (as short as 3 business days), and repairs must be made by a licensed master plumber or water service can be shut off, with a $1,000 shutoff fee.
What's different in New York City
NYC property owners own and are responsible for their water service line connecting the home to the City's water main, and their sewer service line connecting to the City's sewer system. [1]
DEP serves a 3-day notice when a leak is found during road construction or inspection, giving the owner 3 business days to hire a licensed plumber and complete the repair. [1]
Other notices allow 30 days to hire a licensed master plumber, while emergencies require hiring one immediately; if repairs aren't made, water service is shut off with a $1,000 shutoff fee. [1]
A licensed master plumber must make the repair and obtain all required DEP and Department of Transportation permits, and fees owed to DEP must be paid before service is restored. [1]
DEP notices and deadlines
| Notice | Deadline | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day notice | 3 business days | Leak found during road work or inspection; hire a licensed plumber and repair |
| 30-day notice | 30 days | Hire a licensed master plumber to fix the damage |
| Emergency | Immediately | Hire a licensed master plumber right away |
| Missed deadline | — | Water shut off; $1,000 shutoff fee plus repair costs |
Why it has to be a licensed master plumber
Work on NYC service lines involves opening the street and sidewalk and connecting to city mains, so DEP requires a licensed master plumber (LMP), who pulls DEP and DOT permits. A handyman or unlicensed contractor can't legally do this work, and DEP won't restore water until an LMP has made the repair and fees are paid. See our guide on checking a plumber's license.
If you get a notice
Read the deadline
Note whether it's 3 business days, 30 days or an emergency.
Call a licensed master plumber now
Street permits take time, so short deadlines leave little room.
Ask about the sewer line too
If the street is open, it can be efficient to inspect the sewer connection you also own.
Further reading: How to tell what your pipes are made of.
What New York City homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Who owns the water service line in New York City?
The property owner owns it from the City's water main in the street to the building.
Who is responsible for the sewer connection in NYC?
The property owner owns and is responsible for the sewer service line to the City sewer.
What is a DEP 3-day notice?
A notice served when a leak is found during road construction or inspection, giving 3 business days to complete the repair.
How long do I have to fix a leak on a DEP 30-day notice?
30 days to hire a licensed master plumber and fix the damage.
What happens if I ignore a DEP repair notice?
Water service is shut off, with a $1,000 shutoff fee plus repair costs.
Can any plumber repair an NYC service line?
It must be a licensed master plumber, who obtains DEP and DOT permits.
When will DEP turn my water back on?
After a licensed master plumber completes the repair and all DEP fees are paid.
Does NYC DEP offer service line protection?
DEP has partnered with American Water Resources on optional service line protection programs for homeowners.
Why does an NYC service line repair need a DOT permit?
The work usually opens the street or sidewalk, which DOT permits.
Should I inspect my sewer line during a water line repair?
If the street is already open, checking the sewer connection you also own can save a second excavation.
More plumbing help in New York City
- Sewer Line Repair in New York CityIn New York City, owners maintain the sewer line from the building up to and including the connection to the city sewer. DEP repair orders, costs and options.
- Water Line Repair: the full guideSigns the water service line from the meter to your house is leaking, who owns it, repair vs. replacement, lead lines, and trenchless options.
- Plumbing in New York CityLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls New York City homes need most.
How other cities handle it
- Lead service line replacement in ChicagoHow lead water service line replacement works in Chicago: free and fee-waived city programs, who qualifies, what state law requires, and what the job involves.
- Lead service line replacement in DetroitHow Detroit and Michigan law handle lead water service line replacement: who pays, full-line requirements, timelines, and what homeowners should do meanwhile.
- Lead service line replacement in DenverHow Denver Water replaces customer-owned lead service lines with copper at no direct cost, which homes are most likely affected, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in MilwaukeeHow Milwaukee's lead service line rules work: when full replacement is required, what homeowners pay, how to look up your address, and what to do while you wait.
- Lead service line replacement in CincinnatiHow Greater Cincinnati Water Works replaces private lead service lines: who pays, who gets priority, how long the program runs, and how to get started.
- Lead service line replacement in PittsburghPittsburgh Water lead line programs: neighborhood replacements, free income-qualified replacement, plumber reimbursement, and how to apply.
- Lead service line replacement in BostonHow Boston Water and Sewer Commission's free lead service replacement works: free inspection, free replacement, how to check your address, and what to expect.
- Lead service line replacement in ClevelandWhen Cleveland Water replaces your side of a lead line for free, how galvanized pipe is handled, yearly targets, and what to do next.
- Lead service line replacement in St. LouisSt. Louis lead service lines: the city's inventory, why rates can't pay for the private side, grant and loan help, and what owners can do now.
- Lead service line replacement in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia lead service lines: owner responsibility, free replacement during main work, the free ZIP-code pilot, and 0% HELP loans.
- Water and sewer line repair in New OrleansWho pays for water and sewer service connections in New Orleans: Sewerage and Water Board rules, owner responsibility on post-1954 lots, and Board-caused damage.
- Water service line repair in Kansas CityKC Water service line rules: the City maintains mains to the curb box, owners repair from the curb stop to the house under Ordinance 78-22, and warranty options.
- Lead water service line replacement in Washington, DCLead service lines in Washington, DC: who pays for each side, Block-by-Block replacement of the private side at no cost, and what to do before your block comes up.
- Lead service line replacement in ProvidenceLead service lines in Providence: Providence Water's free private-side replacement for eligible customers, 10-year 0% loans, and the free public-side match.
- Lead service line replacement in Des MoinesLead service lines in Des Moines: Des Moines Water Works' free replacement funded by a $52.6M state loan, the Drake first phase, and how to check your line.
- Water line leaks in Phoenix: the meter decides who paysWater line leaks in Phoenix: the city repairs the street side of the meter, the owner the rest, and city code makes customers pay for water lost past the meter.
- Water and sewer service lines in CharlotteCharlotte water and sewer service lines: Charlotte Water handles mains to the curb, owners handle the laterals from curb to home, and what that means for leaks.
- Water line leaks in AustinWater line leaks in Austin: Austin Water owns the line to the meter box near the sidewalk, owners own everything past it.
- Water service line leaks in BuffaloBuffalo water service lines: the line from the city main to the house is private, the owner keeps up the curb box and valve, and what Buffalo Water will do for free.
- Lead service lines in Newark after the replacement programNewark replaced its 18,720-plus lead service lines at no cost to residents, funded by city and Essex County bonds. What's left to check in an older Newark home.
- Lead service line replacement in Jersey CityJersey City's Lead Free JC: about 16,000 lead lines to replace by June 2031 at no direct cost, JCMUA contractors or your own with a credit, and the inventory lookup.
- Water service line repair in SeattleSeattle water lines: owners install and maintain the private line from the city union to the house, and how SPU's leak adjustments treat city-side and.
- Water service lines in Fort WorthFort Worth service lines: the city owns the line to and including the meter, owners own the rest, the lead inventory shows no lead lines.
- Houston water service lines: the inventory and 'unknown material' lettersHouston's service line inventory: no lead lines found so far, most lines still listed as unknown, the notices sent to customers, and how to check yours.
- Dallas water service lines and the service line inventoryDallas Water Utilities' service line inventory: how materials were identified, letters to 225,000 unknown lines, and the GIS lookup.
- Water service lines in Los Angeles: no lead foundLADWP's service line inventory found no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement lines, including customer-owned ones. What that means for LA water line repairs.
- Water service lines in San Antonio: SAWS inventory and free inspectionsSAWS's service line inventory: over half of 600,000 lines unidentified, yearly letters to unknown, lead or galvanized lines, and free inspections for pre-1989 homes.
Sources (1)
- NYC DEP, Water Shut Off Notices · checked 2026-10-03