Many Philly homeowners wonder: Is the City responsible for repairing water or sewer pipes, or do I have to fix them myself? The answer depends on where the problem is or what needs to be fixed.

The City is responsible for repairing and maintaining water mains, stormwater inlets, and stormwater or sewer pipes that send wastewater to treatment plants. Keep reading to find out what pipes you’re responsible for as a homeowner.

Homeowner responsibility

Property owners aren’t just responsible for pipe repairs inside their homes. You’re also responsible for the pipes and fixtures that carry water from the City’s water mains into your home. This includes pipes located under or outside your building, such as those beneath the sidewalk or roadway.

If a pipe on your property is damaged, leaking, or needs replacement, you’re responsible for fixing it. This may include the cost of hiring a licensed plumber and covering materials and labor.

Notice of Plumbing Defect

You’ll get a Notice of Plumbing Defect if a plumbing connection serving your property threatens water quality, public health or safety. Defect notices usually tell you:

  • Where the problem was spotted,
  • What steps to take, and
  • Who to contact if you have questions.

Leaking exterior pipes are dangerous for you and your neighbors, and they usually need to be fixed right away. Your water supply may be shut off until you make the repairs. Call (215) 685-9651 if your water has been shut off because of a plumbing defect notice.

Save money on repairs

Your regular homeowner’s insurance may not cover plumbing defects, so look at your coverage carefully. There is specialized insurance for home plumbing. The Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), a municipal government entity, works with American Water Resources to provide this kind of protection. The PEA negotiated an affordable monthly fee specifically for Philadelphians.

American Water Resources is a private, for-profit company. It is not a Department of Revenue or Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) program. Nevertheless, we support any service line protection program that provides affordable solutions for Philadelphia property owners. You can call American Water Resources at (844) 765-7260 to learn about their program for Philadelphians.

HELP Loans can help, too!

If you get a defect notice, you only have a short time to fix the issue. A water supply or sewer defect can quickly lead to dangerous, even more expensive problems for you and your neighbors. But there’s good news: PWD’s Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP) can help you with costly repairs.

A HELP Loan is only available to property owners. If you rent, you won’t qualify for this loan, but you can still use the PEA service (see above).

You have to receive a defect notice from PWD or want to replace a lead water service line to qualify for a HELP Loan.

When you enroll, a PWD contractor repairs your exterior residential plumbing. You pay PWD back over five years, interest-free. Low-income water customers may qualify for longer installments.

To apply for a HELP loan or get more information about the program:

Would you rather fix the pipe yourself?

If you decide to fix the defect on your own, you’ll need a licensed plumber. You must hire a licensed plumber without assistance from the City. You can find a list of licensed plumbers on phila.gov/li. Select “Find a licensed contractor and contractor information.”

Before hiring someone, consider getting recommendations from people you trust and obtaining a few estimates.

Taking care of plumbing issues right away can save you from costly repairs, like sewer backups.

Learn more about Philadelphia’s HELP Loan program.