Your Line or Veolia's? Who Fixes a Leak Near the Meter in Boise

When water shows up in the front yard, the first question is whose problem it is. In Boise, Veolia Water Idaho's tariff, the rulebook on file with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, draws the line clearly.

What Veolia covers

The tariff says the company furnishes, installs and maintains service lines "from the main to and including the meter box." Veolia also owns the meter. So a leak in the street, at the main, between the main and the meter box, or in the box and meter itself is Veolia's to handle. Call them.

What you cover

From the meter box to the building, the tariff says the line is installed and kept in good repair by the customer, at the customer's expense, and that its size, pipe and installation must be approved by the company. Another rule says the customer must promptly repair leaks on the premises, including sprinkling systems and the customer's service line, and that failing to do so can lead to service being shut off.

Backflow devices that are required are installed and maintained at the customer's expense as well.

The curb stop

The shutoff valve in the meter box is called the curb stop. The tariff says that except in an emergency, only company personnel may operate it. If you need the water off to stop a leak in the house, use your own shutoff where the line enters the house. If your house shutoff doesn't work, that's worth fixing too.

How to tell which side the leak is on

• Water bubbling up on the street side of the meter box, or out of the street: likely Veolia's side. Call Veolia.
• Meter moving with the house shutoff closed: the leak is downstream of the meter, which puts it on your side. The check.
• Water in the meter box itself: could be either. Veolia can tell you whether it's their fitting.

If it's on your side

The usual sequence is: locate, then repair or replace. Older Boise lines may be galvanized; later ones copper or plastic. A single failure on an otherwise good line is often a spot repair. A brittle or corroded line that has failed before is often replaced. Replacement may require a City of Boise permit; the company doing the work should know. Water line leaks.

Renters and landlords

The tariff speaks of "the customer," which is whoever holds the account. In rentals, the lease usually decides who arranges and pays for repairs. Put the leak in writing either way.