https://utilityexplained.com/tags/service-line/Recent content in Service Line on Utility ExplainedHugoen-usSun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://utilityexplained.com/blog/who-responsible-water-leak-before-after-meter/Sun, 27 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://utilityexplained.com/blog/who-responsible-water-leak-before-after-meter/<div class="affiliate-disclosure" style="background:#f8fafc;border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:0.5rem;padding:1rem 1.25rem;margin:1.5rem 0;font-size:0.85rem;color:#64748b;"> <strong style="color:#475569;">Disclosure:</strong> Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This never affects our recommendations — see our <a href="https://utilityexplained.com/affiliate-disclosure/">affiliate disclosure</a>. </div> <h2 id="quick-answer">Quick Answer</h2> <p><strong>The standard rule across most US utilities: the utility owns and repairs the pipe from the water main up to (and usually including) your meter; you own everything from the meter&rsquo;s outlet to and inside your house.</strong> A leak before the meter is the utility&rsquo;s problem and cost; a leak after it is yours — including the stretch of underground service line that runs under your own yard, which surprises most homeowners. If water is still moving through your meter with everything in the house shut off, the leak is almost certainly on your side. <a href="https://utilityexplained.com/blog/water-meter-running-when-no-water-used/">How to run that test</a>.</p>