In Wilson, the City owns the service line from the water main to the property line or meter pit, and the customer owns the portion on private property. If the leak is on your side, a plumber can dig to it and repair the section or replace the line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Wilson.
Wilson's water lines at a glance
City of Wilson Water Resources treats water from its own reservoirs, including Buckhorn Lake, Wiggins Mill and Lake Wilson, and sells water to Wilson County water districts too, so many homes outside the city drink Wilson water through a county district. The City's rule is clear: it owns the line from the main to the property line or meter pit, and the customer owns the part on private property. About 46% of Wilson homes were built before 1980, with the median dating to 1983, and the City's lead service line inventory covers homes built in 1986 or earlier, nearly 10,000 of them.
What to do right now
- Stop the water if it's flowing hard. Close the main valve where the line enters the house.
- Check the meter. With every fixture off, see whether the dial still moves. If it does with the house valve closed, the leak is likely on the buried line.
- Decide whose side it's on. Water in the street or at the meter pit goes to Wilson Water Resources. Water in your yard is most likely your line.
- Note your pipe material if you can see it. The City asks owners of older homes to report service line material, and may offer a utility credit for doing so.
- Call for a plumber to trace the private line, since 811 marks only public utilities.
Symptoms and likely causes
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Wet strip of yard toward the house | Leak on the private service line |
| Pressure faded over years | Corrosion inside older galvanized pipe |
| Rusty water at first draw | Aging metal pipe on the private side |
| Water pooling at the meter pit | Meter connection or City side; call the City |
| Bill up with no change in use | Hidden leak running constantly |
What affects the cost
- Repair versus replacement. Old galvanized lines in pre-1986 homes often need a new run.
- Distance from the meter pit to the house.
- Surfaces over the line, such as driveways and brick walks in the historic districts.
- Permit. Inside the city, permits come from Wilson Development Services' Permit Desk at City Hall; outside city jurisdiction, Wilson County Inspections issues them.
Calling this number connects you with an independent local plumber who serves Wilson. Let them know whether the wet spot is near the meter pit or closer to the house.
Water Line Repair questions in Wilson
Which part of the pipe between the street and my house is mine to fix?
How can I find out what my service line is made of?
Is a permit needed to repair or replace a water service line?
Water is bubbling out of the yard. Is that my line or the utility's?
More plumbing services in Wilson
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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