Where the water line begins and ends
The service line starts at the water meter and runs underground to the house. The City of El Reno owns the meter and the main in the street. In general, the property owner is responsible for the pipe on the house side of the meter. Call the City of El Reno at 405-262-4070 to confirm where the boundary is on your lot.
This matters when a line fails, because a leak before the meter is a city repair and a leak after it is yours.
Water service pipe must meet the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and be marked to a recognized standard, and 811 locates are required before excavation under the Oklahoma One-Call system.
Symptoms of a failing service line
Call if you see any of these
One symptom alone is a reason to check. Two together are a reason to call tonight if the yard is flooding.
- A wet or sunken patch in the yard when nothing is irrigating.
- Water pressure that dropped across the whole house.
- A meter that moves with every tap off.
- A sudden jump in your water bill.
- Muddy or discolored water at the taps.
Ways to repair or replace a service line
| Method | How it works | Fits when |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | Dig to the leak and replace a short section | A single break in an otherwise sound line |
| Trench replacement | Dig the full run and lay new pipe | Old, corroded or repeatedly leaking pipe |
| Trenchless | New pipe is pulled in with minimal digging | Lines under driveways, trees or landscaping |
| Pressure reducing valve | A valve at the entry controls pressure | High pressure stressing the line |
Yard flooding?
Close the house main and call the 24/7 line. A plumber can be scheduled the same day when available.
Call 811 before anyone digs
Oklahoma requires a call before digging so buried utilities are marked. The Oklahoma One-Call system, reached by dialing 811, is the free way to do that. A plumber handles this as part of an excavation, but if you plan to dig for a fence or a tree, do it yourself first.
The risk is real. A shovel through a gas or electric line is far worse than a water leak, and marking the lines also shows you where the water line lies.
Low pressure is not always a leak
A clogged screen, a partly closed valve, a failing pressure regulator or a mineral-choked pipe can all lower pressure. Compare hot and cold water at several fixtures, because if only hot water is weak the water heater is more likely the cause, and if the whole house is weak the service line or the regulator is.
A plumber can test pressure with a gauge at an outdoor spigot, which separates a supply problem from a problem inside the house.
What affects the cost of water line repair
Water line repair questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. Close the house main valve first. A licensed plumber is scheduled the same day when one is available.
Generally the owner is responsible on the house side of the meter, and the city on its side. Call the City of El Reno at 405-262-4070 to confirm for your lot.
It runs from the meter box to where the water enters the house, usually in a fairly straight line. A plumber can locate it, and 811 will mark other utilities.
Sometimes. Trenchless methods use small access holes. The plumber will check the pipe path and soil before recommending it.
Yes for part of the job. The plumber will give you an estimate of how long, and tell you when it is safe to turn the main back on.
Related work
Find the break
Leak detection pinpoints a leak without digging up the yard.
Inside the house
Burst pipe repair covers lines in walls and ceilings.
Treat the water
Hard water wears pipes. See softeners.