When a service line fails, the symptoms are hard to miss: no water at all, a pressure that falls off, a wet patch in the yard or a meter that spins with everything off. Lodi Pro Plumbing repairs water service lines 24/7 in Lodi, NJ, and a line that has stopped delivering water is treated as a same-day emergency.
If water is flooding a yard or basement, close the main shutoff inside the house first.
The service line is the underground pipe that brings water from the municipal main in the street to your building. It crosses the property line, so ownership is split. Knowing who owns which part decides who you call, and it can save a lot of money.
No water, or a wet yard near the meter? Call (973) 488-5410 and we will sort out whose pipe it is.
Call (973) 488-5410Who owns what in Lodi
The Passaic Valley Water Commission supplies Lodi under public water system ID NJ0231001. Its 2026 report says PVWC maintains records of both utility-owned and customer-owned service lines, and it has submitted an inventory of service line materials to the state, updated annually. The inventory is online at pvwcleadserviceline.com, and records can be requested from PVWC customer service at 973-340-4300.
In general, the utility handles the main and the connection to it, and the customer handles the pipe from the curb or meter onward. The dividing point varies, so confirm it with PVWC before any dig. If the leak is before the meter, call the utility's 24/7 line. If it is after the meter, call us.
Signs of a service line problem
| Symptom | What it suggests | First check |
|---|---|---|
| No water at all | Break, closed valve or utility outage | Ask neighbors, check the meter and the main valve |
| Low pressure throughout | Corrosion, partial blockage or a leak | Test pressure at an outdoor spigot |
| Wet, sunken or green patch in the yard | Underground leak | Run the meter test with everything off |
| Meter moves with all fixtures off | Leak between meter and house, or inside | Isolate with the main valve |
| Water in the meter box | Leak at the meter or connection | Call PVWC if it is before the meter |
The meter test is on our leak detection page. If the meter stops when you close the main valve inside the house, the leak is in the service line. If it keeps running, the leak is inside.
Repair, replacement or lining
The plumber locates the line, digs a small access pit and looks at the pipe before recommending a fix:
- Spot repair for a single break in an otherwise sound line.
- Replacement when the pipe is lead, galvanized, heavily corroded or has failed repeatedly.
- Trenchless methods such as pipe pulling, where the old line is used to draw a new one, when the route runs under a driveway or garden you want to protect.
Replacement of a lead or galvanized service line is the long-term fix, because those materials corrode. PVWC's inventory is the place to learn what material your line is made of.
Lead service lines and what the report says
PVWC's 2026 report for Lodi lists a lead 90th percentile of 0.85 ppb from 2024 sampling, with none of 35 samples above the 15 ppb action level, and the next lead sampling is due in 2027. Those results describe the utility's tested sample, not your particular pipe.
The inventory and a pipe inspection are the way to know what you have. If you have a lead line, replacing it is a decision worth making with PVWC's guidance.
Permits and utility coordination
Digging in a street or sidewalk needs approval, and connecting to the municipal main is the utility's work. The plumber coordinates the utility call and the borough permit where required. Lodi's website lists a Building Department page and Public Works contacts, and before any dig, New Jersey requires a call to 811 so buried utilities are marked.
What decides the cost of service line work
- Length
- A short run from the meter is cheaper than a long run from the street.
- Depth and surface
- Digging through a lawn costs less than a driveway, sidewalk or patio.
- Material
- New copper or plastic pipe, and the fittings, are priced into the quote.
- Method
- Trenchless work costs more than a simple dig in an open yard, but protects landscaping.
The plumber gives a clear price before work starts, and states what the utility will do and what you will pay for.
Water service line questions
Do you handle water service line emergencies at night or on weekends in Lodi?
Yes. The line is open 24/7. A failed service line is a same-day emergency, and the plumber gives a clear price before work starts.
How do I know if the leak is mine or the utility's?
If the leak is before the meter, it belongs to the utility. If it is after, it belongs to the property. We can help you check, and the utility confirms ownership for your address.
How long does a replacement take?
A simple replacement often takes a day. Longer runs, street crossings and utility coordination can add time.
Can I find out if I have a lead service line?
PVWC publishes an inventory of service line materials and can answer questions at 973-340-4300. A plumber can also look at the pipe where it enters the house.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken service line?
Some policies include optional service line coverage. Check yours before the work, and keep the invoice.
Code basis. Plumbing work in New Jersey follows the state plumbing subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.15, which adopts the 2021 National Standard Plumbing Code. Ask which permits apply to your job and confirm with the Lodi Building Department.