Who Is Responsible for Water Lines in Castle Rock?

According to the Town of Castle Rock water FAQ, the Town owns and maintains water service lines up to your property line. The curb stop or meter pit valve and the water meter belong to the Town, even when they sit on your property. From the valve into your home, the lines are your responsibility, and all of the lines in the home, including the sewer, are the homeowner's property and responsibility.

Almost every water damage call in Castle Rock starts on the owner's side of the line: a split pipe in a wall, a water heater, a washing machine hose or a toilet supply line. The cleanup, the drying and the repair are the owner's to arrange, usually with a plumber for the pipe and a restoration company for the water. If the leak is on the Town's side, such as at the meter pit, the Town handles the repair.

The Town asks residents to shut water off at their home's own shut-off valve, usually near the meter, and not at the street. That valve is often in the basement, a utility room, a crawlspace or the garage. Find it now, when nothing is wrong, and make sure it turns. A valve that has not moved in years can be stiff or stuck.

If the valve in the house will not close, or the leak is at the meter, call the Town's water line at 720-733-6000 for an emergency shut-off at the curb stop or meter pit. After hours, pressing 1 connects you through Castle Rock Police to on-call staff. Do not try to operate the curb stop yourself; the meter and valve are Town property and tampering is prohibited.

Because the meter is yours to read, it is a simple way to find hidden leaks. Turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water, then look at the meter's dial or leak indicator. If it moves, water is flowing somewhere, often a running toilet, a dripping irrigation valve or a leak inside a wall.

The same split applies to sewer. The lines in your home, and the service line that carries wastewater out, are the owner's. A backup in a floor drain is usually a private line problem. See sewage backup cleanup if it happens.

Sprinkler systems, outdoor spigots and lines to detached buildings are on the owner's side too. A leak in an irrigation line can run for days unnoticed, raising the bill and soaking soil next to the foundation. Watch for green or soggy patches that do not match the watering schedule.

If you just bought a home in Castle Rock, take a few minutes to find the meter, the main shut-off valve, the water heater shut-off and the sump pump. Label the main valve with a tag so anyone in the house can find it in an emergency.

Renters are not responsible for the pipes, but they are often the first to see a leak. Know where the main valve is, report leaks quickly and take photos. Quick action protects your belongings and the building.

Some townhome and duplex buildings share service lines or have one meter for several units. Check your HOA or building documents to see who maintains what, and keep the HOA's emergency contact handy.

Town: the line up to your property line, the curb stop and the meter. Owner: everything from the valve into the home, including sewer. Emergency curb stop shut-off: the Town's water line. Cleanup of water inside the home: a private restoration company.

A sudden jump in your water bill is often the first sign of a leak on your side of the meter. Check toilets first by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if color shows in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking. If toilets are fine, look at irrigation and use the meter test.

Know where your valve is, know the Town's number for the curb stop, and know that inside the house it is up to you. When water is on the floor, close the valve and call for help. For the cleanup, start with emergency water extraction.

Questions about who is responsible for water lines in castle rock? Call (720) 731-0398 to reach a local Castle Rock provider, 24 hours a day.