If the repair is yours to pay
Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.
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See what a home warranty covers (Choice)Read the coverage and exclusions before you buy; not every repair qualifies.
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Default rule and exceptions
Split at the curb stop. The city-owned portion runs from the water main to the curb stop; the customer-owned portion runs from the curb stop to the meter inside the home.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | City of Columbus: "The customer-owned portion extends from the curb stop to the water meter inside the home." The service line is "divided into two sections; a city-owned part and a customer-owned part." |
| City / public agency | The utility-owned portion extends from the water main to the curb stop. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 10, 2026.
Your water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to the public water main. The water service line is divided into two sections; a city-owned part and a customer-owned part. The utility-owned portion extends from the water main to the curb stop. The customer-owned portion extends from the curb stop to the water meter inside the home.
City rules rest on state law. Read Ohio's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for water service line in Columbus, OH?
Responsibility is shared. City of Columbus: "The customer-owned portion extends from the curb stop to the water meter inside the home." The service line is "divided into two sections; a city-owned part and a customer-owned part."
What is this based on for Columbus, OH?
This verdict is sourced to Lead Service Line Program information and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Lead Service Line Program informationofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-10
- Water Facts: Water Healthofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-10
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