Quick answer: A wet patch in the yard, water bubbling near the meter or a sudden pressure drop can mean the water service line is leaking. Leaks on the house side of the meter are the homeowner’s to fix; leaks at the meter or in the street belong to the utility. Call our 24/7 line to get a licensed plumber for a leak on your side.
Do this right now
- Shut off the main valve at the house. If the leak is between the meter and the house, that may not stop it: the plumber or utility can shut it at the meter.
- Keep people and cars off soft, soggy ground over the line.
- Note where the water appears and whether the meter is spinning.
Not sure whose side the leak is on? See who fixes water and sewer line leaks.
Water line leak: call now or can it wait?
Where the water shows up decides who to call. Use this check before you pick up the phone.
- Call the utility
Water bubbling up in the street or at the meter
That side usually belongs to the utility. Call their emergency line first. - Call now
No water and a soaked yard
Your service line has likely broken. Shut off the main valve and call now. - Same day
A wet patch in the yard that never dries
A slow leak on your line. Book a same-day check before it grows. - Can wait
A higher water bill only
Do the meter test and book a regular visit if the meter moves.
Signs of a water service line leak
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| A wet or unusually green patch in the yard that does not dry out | Water from a leaking service line is soaking the soil above it |
| Water pooling or bubbling near the meter box or along the line to the house | A leak at the meter connection or on the line close to it |
| Low water pressure throughout the house | Water is escaping before it reaches the house |
| A water bill much higher than usual | Water is being lost on your side of the meter |
| The sound of running water outside or a hissing meter | Water is flowing through the meter even with nothing turned on |
Is a water main leak an emergency?
Yes, when water is flowing to the surface, the yard is flooding toward the house, or you have lost most of your water pressure. A large service line leak can wash out soil under walkways and driveways and run up a large water bill quickly. A small damp spot with normal pressure is still urgent, but can usually be scheduled.
Meter side or house side: who fixes it?
| Where the leak is | Who usually fixes it | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| In the street or at the meter box | The water utility | Your utility's emergency line |
| Between the meter and your house | The homeowner | A licensed plumber |
| Inside the house or under the slab | The homeowner | A licensed plumber |
| Where you live | Water utility emergency line |
|---|---|
| Augusta (Augusta Utilities) | 706-842-3060 after hours |
| Evans, Martinez and much of Columbia County (Columbia County Water Utility) | 706-860-2587 after hours |
| City of Grovetown, Harlem or Hephzibah city systems | The number on your water bill |
Do not dig near the meter or open the meter box yourself; the meter and its valve belong to the utility.
What the plumber does
- Confirms the leak is on the house side of the meter.
- Locates the leak, using the wet area, sound or a pressure test.
- Calls Georgia 811 to mark buried utility lines before digging, as required.
- Excavates and repairs or replaces the line, then pressure-tests it.
- Backfills the trench and restores water to the house.
Repair or replace the service line?
| Situation | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| One leak in a line that is otherwise in good shape | Dig at the leak and repair that section |
| Old galvanized or polybutylene line, or repeated leaks | Replace the line from the meter to the house |
| Line under a driveway, patio or mature trees | Replacement with trenchless methods may be an option, depending on the plumber and the soil |
Open trench or trenchless?
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Open trench | A trench is dug along the line to repair or lay new pipe | Short runs and open yards |
| Trenchless (pulling or boring a new line) | A new line is pulled or bored underground between two small pits | Lines under driveways, walkways or mature landscaping |
Not every plumber offers trenchless replacement, and soil and pipe type decide whether it is possible. Ask which method is planned and why.
What changes the cost?
- Repair of one section or replacement of the whole line
- How deep and how long the line is
- Digging under driveways, walkways or landscaping
- Pipe material and any required permit
- The time of the call (see how after-hours pricing works)
You get the price before work starts.
Sources: Augusta Utilities Department contact page. Columbia County Water Utility Services page. Georgia 811.
