Water Service Responsibility

This policy establishes the repair and maintenance limits of water service lines, private mains, and appurtenances, that are the responsibility of Chester Metropolitan District (District). Water service line is defined as the connection between the public distribution system and the Customer or end user (residential or commercial/government) . Types of water service lines are domestic/potable service, irrigation service, process, agricultural, or fire service. All services shall be metered in accordance with the District’s policies.

Private mains are privately owned and maintained water lines used to provide service to multiple service line connections on a single qualifying property. Private water mains may provide fire service, potable service, process, irrigation, agricultural, or any combination of services to properties such as apartment complexes, industrial/manufacturing complexes, schools, shopping centers, and town homes.

Residential Potable or Irrigation Service (3/4″ or 1″)
  • The District shall be responsible for the portion of the service line from the water main to the Customer cut-off valve, including the water meter and Customer cut-off valve.
  • The Customer shall be responsible for the service line from the Customer cut-off valve to the building or end connection.
Commercial Potable, Irrigation, or Fire Service
  • The District shall be responsible for the portion of the service line from the water main to the public right-of-way or water easement line.
  • The Customer shall be responsible for the service line from the public right-of-way or water easement line to the building or end connection.

All meters shall be the responsibility of Chester Metropolitan District.

Materials and Construction Methods

All repairs, maintenance, or replacement shall be in-accordance with the requirements of Chester Metropolitan District’s Standard Specifications, latest edition. If the District replaces the Customer cut-off valve and the Customer’s service pipe material is not per the District’s specifications, the Customer may be responsible for reconnecting their service line to the new cut-off valve.

Customer Repair Time Limits

Leaks on a Customer’s water service line or private main must be repaired within ten days of the date the District notifies the Customer. If the District determines that the leak is causing substantial property damage or wasting a significant amount of water, the District will provide 72 hours written notice to the Customer that the leak must be repaired or the District will shut off the leaking water service line or private main and bill the property owner for costs incurred by the District. In cases where the leak is a safety risk or is causing extreme danger to public or private property, the District may elect to shut the water off immediately and, after providing written notice to the Customer, may repair the leak. The Customer will pay the District for all costs incurred to shut off the leaking water service line or private main as well as all costs of repair including, but not limited to traffic control, excavation, water service line repair, private main repair, landscape repair, street repair, and sidewalk repair. Notice pursuant to this section may be mailed to the service address or other such address the District has on-file. The notice shall be conclusively presumed to have been received by property owner forty-eight (48) hours after mailing. Notice pursuant to this section may also be personally delivered to the property owner and shall be effective upon delivery.

Temporary Service Shut-Off

When a new residential service is installed, the District installs a gate valve (Customer cut-off valve) immediately downstream of the water meter for the Customer’s convenience to shut off the water supply to their property. The District is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the gate valve when necessary. If a Customer requests the District to temporarily shut-off service to a property, the Customer shall notify the District at least one business in advance unless it is an emergency. A trip charge (as listed in the fee schedule) will be charged to turn the water off. When the water service is ready to be turned back on, the Customer shall notify the District at least one business
day in advance. A trip charge will be charged to turn the water on. The trip charges will be billed following the turn-on and appear on the next bill. No adjustment will be made to the charges for water as a result of temporary shut-off.

A licensed plumber may turn-off/turn-on the water service at the District’s water meter, for repairs to a Customer’s water system. Anyone opening the District’s meter box other than District personnel or licensed plumbers will be charged with tampering and the applicable fee will be charged to the Customer. The District will not be responsible for damage due to defective materials on the Customer’s service. Only District personnel shall operate valves in the District’s distribution system. Valves downstream (Owner’s side) of the meter may be operated by the Owner or their representatives.