The watermain to one of my properties is broken and apparently it is on my side of the curb valve, thus becomes my headache. The line is lead so it cannot be fixed, it must be replaced. Everything was fine before the gas line contractor started work, and after they saw cut the street there was a leak. DPW came and determined it was not their problem and passed it on the engineers office. When I discovered it on my own I went to talk to the crew that is doing the work. They assured me that the leak was there before they started and that once they 'discovered' it they notified the city AND they have video from the locator tech to prove it. Well they have video after the sawcut that shows the leak. When I asked for the video from before any work occured, wouldn't you know it was raining that day. In any case they say well this never happens, we only cut 8 inches deep, yada, yada, yada.. Their 'fair' compromise it that they want to have an observer present when my plumber digs the curb valve out. IF the plumber can point to 'evidence' in the hole that shows they casued the leak their company will pay. I don't think I can prove the vibrations from their work caused the leak so having somone observe the excavation is a mute point. Has anyone prevailed in a situation like this? There is an outside chance the city will cover it because they have been replacing lead lines with grant funds, but to my knowledge the funds ran out. I was quoted 5,200 to dig it up, replace the valve and aprox 40' of line plus the concrete work to finish the sidewalk slab. --67.240.xx.xx

You are a good guy in the city, leverage that, does the mayor or council men know you?I would push it and do as they want you to do,keep telling them one of them is paying it and see who breaks first.I bet you can get the city to cover it being it is lead.be glad you caught it now,wont be much longer that they can did or drill new taps for the year --208.115.xxx.xx

The best way to get the mouth going is with food. --69.130.xxx.xxx

Years ago the city "sold" the home owner the water meters. Then forced an upgrade so the meters could be read from outside the house. As one of my SF was getting a city mandated upgrade by the city water dept (at my cost) ... one the laborers pulled me aside and gave me his cell phone ... "I do these swaps as a side job" he said. Problem solved for the remaining doors in the hood. --198.168.xx.xxx

I'd just have your attorney send a letter asking for payment, and follow through with a suit if they don't. My guess is that they will settle for some number after the suit is filed to avoid a legal battle...ask them to pay for 75% after the suit is filed and they probably will settle. --64.38.xxx.xxx

Hoosier, I don't have a lawyer on speed dial and I'm reluctant to go that route. --67.240.xx.xx

Do you just pay a specific amount each month? --107.147.xx.xx

We just pay for water as part of the city taxes under gas, sewer n water. Commercial buildings are metered. --77.111.xxx.x

zero- in a few cities around here it is a part of the tax bill --208.115.xxx.xx

This will tell you if the break is before or after the water meter - which is typically at the curve box --24.101.xxx.xxx

So if it is part of the tax bill do you get one set cost or do they wait and charge you at tax time for usage? --107.147.xx.xx

zero- water,sewer and garbage pickup is about $900 per unit, starts really adding up when you are talking about a 4 unit,that is in addition to city,county and school --74.77.xx.xx

Yet another reason I must work on getting the water/sewage out of my name. --107.147.xx.xx