# Detroit: Who Pays for the Water Service Line? | Who Pays the Repair?

> DWSD maintains main-to-curbstop; owners are responsible from the curbstop to inside the house. Source and quote inside.

**Who pays:** shared

DWSD maintains the water main and service line up to the curbstop; the Detroit property owner is responsible from the curbstop to inside the house.

**Boundary:** DWSD maintains the water main and service line up to the curbstop; the property owner is responsible for the water service line from the curbstop to inside the house, per detroitmi.gov.

**Exceptions:** Lead service lines: DWSD replaces the full line, including the owner portion, at no cost under its lead service line replacement program.

## Sources
- [Water and Sewer Maintenance/Emergencies](https://detroitmi.gov/departments/water-and-sewerage-department/dwsd-customer-service/water-and-sewer-maintenanceemergencies) — "DWSD is responsible for maintenance on the water distribution system, including the water mains and service lines up to the curbstop (turn-on/off valve near or at the sidewalk). The property owner is responsible for the water service line from the curbstop to inside the home or business and the internal plumbing inside the house/structure." (accessed 2026-10-25)
- [$100M headed to Detroit to replace lead service lines over next three years; more funding on the way](https://detroitmi.gov/news/100m-headed-detroit-replace-lead-service-lines-over-next-three-years-more-funding-way) — "DWSD warranties the work for one year before the property owner resumes ownership of their portion." (accessed 2026-10-25)
- [$100M headed to Detroit to replace lead service lines over next three years; more funding on the way](https://detroitmi.gov/news/100m-headed-detroit-replace-lead-service-lines-over-next-three-years-more-funding-way) — "Under this program, there is no cost to the property owner to have the pipe replaced." (accessed 2026-10-25)

_Last verified 2026-10-25. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/detroit-mi-water-service-line/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._