# Water Service Line Repair in Memphis, TN: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> MLGW calls the Memphis water service line a shared responsibility between the utility and the homeowner.

**Who pays:** shared

Memphis calls the water service line a shared responsibility between the utility (MLGW) and the homeowner.

**Boundary:** MLGW states the water service line is a shared responsibility between MLGW and the homeowner; MLGW is piloting full-line replacement covering both the customer and MLGW side, indicating a split between a utility-side and a customer-side portion of the line.

**Property owner:** Responsible for the homeowner (customer-side) portion of the water service line.

**City / agency:** MLGW is responsible for the MLGW-side portion of the water service line and is piloting full-line (customer + MLGW side) replacement.

## Sources
- [Water Service Lines: shared responsibility (note: source spells it “responsiblity”)](https://www.mlgw.com/residential/waterservicelines) — "The water service line is a shared responsiblity between MLGW and the homeowner." (accessed 2026-09-11)
- [Water Service Lines: full-line replacement pilot (customer + MLGW side)](https://www.mlgw.com/residential/waterservicelines) — "In 2024 and 2025 we will pilot our program for “full line replacement,” including customer and MLGW side service lines, and develop a program for customers to apply for replacement assistance in the future." (accessed 2026-09-11)

_Last verified 2026-09-12. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/memphis-tn-water-service-line/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._