Our water meter is 2000 feet from property line and there is a leak (Howe: renter)

[Rokgodes]

We have rent house in Blue Mound, TX, next to our house. We have to drive through the neighborhood to get to our water meters. Both water meters are 2000 feet away, through a neighbors pasture, in an island in middle of road at city park. The city installed a locked fence around their building & the water line is underground, as well as, under driveway! There was leak at meter and I paid plumber $675 to repair, but meter still running. I found: “TX Administrative Code rule 24.163 2) installation & service connection B) if the meter is not on the property, the customer is responsibility will begin at the property line.” So the city is responsible from the meter to the property line, correct? I need city to repair this asap, because renter is without water. They should also pay $675 plumber bill, since it falls under TAC mentioned above. I need advice on letter I’m emailing them tomorrow. Plumber quoted me $4,800 to replace line. They have ran over our meter 2 times over the last 20+ years & we always repaired, not being aware of TAC rules. Long ago they said they would move meters to our property, but new employees say they don’t have to. Thank you for your help.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by Rokgodes

We have rent house in Blue Mound, TX, next to our house. We have to drive through the neighborhood to get to our water meters. Both water meters are 2000 feet away, through a neighbors pasture, in an island in middle of road at city park. The city installed a locked fence around their building & the water line is underground, as well as, under driveway! There was leak at meter and I paid plumber $675 to repair, but meter still running. I found: “TX Administrative Code rule 24.163 2) installation & service connection B) if the meter is not on the property, the customer is responsibility will begin at the property line.” So the city is responsible from the meter to the property line, correct? I need city to repair this asap, because renter is without water. They should also pay $675 plumber bill, since it falls under TAC mentioned above. I need advice on letter I’m emailing them tomorrow. Plumber quoted me $4,800 to replace line. They have ran over our meter 2 times over the last 20+ years & we always repaired, not being aware of TAC rules. Long ago they said they would move meters to our property, but new employees say they don’t have to. Thank you for your help.

The full text of this rule can be found here for those wondering TAC LOCATION .


The answer can be yes and possibly no. It would depend on any special agreement that was made for the original water service installation. If an agreement was made otherwise then it might be your responsibility from the meter to the home. However I would still approach the water provider as if they were responsible from your property line to the meter in that distant location. Make the provider prove that there was a different agreement in place that would have made the property owner (you) responsible to the meter.


Just as an FYI the water provider can charge you for relocating the meter to your property.