Fort Worth, TX
Water service lines in Fort Worth
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
Fort Worth Water owns the service line from the main to the meter, and the meter itself; the property owner owns the line from the meter to the house. Fort Worth's federal service line inventory classifies no lines as lead or unknown, and all known city-side lead lines have been replaced, so most Fort Worth service line work is about leaks and age, not lead.
What's different in Fort Worth
The utility owns the service line from the main to the meter and the meter; the property owner is responsible from the meter to the building inlet. [1]
In the inventory submitted to TCEQ, none of Fort Worth's service lines are classified as lead or unknown. [1]
All known city-side lead service lines have been replaced; nine known lead service lines remain on the customer side. [1]
If you think the recorded material is wrong, file the Dispute Service Line Material Form or call 817-392-4477; staff investigate within 60 days. [1]
Fort Worth service line leaks
North Texas clay shrinks in drought and swells after rain, stressing buried lines between the meter and the house. A wet spot that won't dry, a meter that moves with everything off, or a sudden bill jump points to the private section. Leak detection finds it without trenching the whole yard.
Whose leak is it?
| Leak location | Responsible |
|---|---|
| Main or line up to the meter | Fort Worth Water |
| The meter itself | Fort Worth Water |
| Meter to house | Owner |
| Under the slab or inside | Owner |
Check your record
Look up your address on the service line inventory map. Galvanized lines aren't lead but corrode over time; see types of plumbing pipes.
What Fort Worth homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSigns of a hidden leak
- SymptomWater bill suddenly high
- SymptomNo water in the house
Common questions
Who owns the water meter at a Fort Worth house?
Fort Worth Water owns the meter and the line from the main to it.
Who repairs a leak between my Fort Worth meter and house?
You do; that section belongs to the property owner, not Fort Worth Water.
Does Fort Worth have lead service lines?
The inventory classifies none as lead or unknown; nine known customer-side lead lines remain.
Has Fort Worth replaced city-side lead lines?
Yes, all known city-side lead lines have been replaced.
How do I check my Fort Worth service line material?
Search your address on Fort Worth Water's service line inventory map.
What if Fort Worth's record of my line is wrong?
File the dispute form or call 817-392-4477; staff investigate within 60 days.
Why do Fort Worth water lines crack?
Clay soil shrinks and swells with drought and rain, stressing buried pipe.
Does Fort Worth fix leaks at the meter?
Yes, the meter and the line up to it are the utility's.
Should an old galvanized Fort Worth line be replaced?
If it leaks repeatedly or restricts flow, replacement is usually the better value.
How do I find a hidden Fort Worth service line leak?
Watch the meter with all water off, then call for leak detection.
More plumbing help in Fort Worth
- Backflow Testing in Fort WorthFort Worth backflow rules: annual tests for commercial and health-hazard assemblies, a three-year cycle for low-hazard irrigation, and registered testers.
- 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 Fort WorthLocal water, housing and climate conditions, and the calls Fort Worth 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 service line repair in New York CityNYC owners own their water and sewer service lines: DEP 3-day and 30-day notices, the licensed master plumber rule, permits and the $1,000 shutoff fee.
- 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.
- 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)
- Fort Worth Water, Service line inventory · checked 2026-10-03