Water Service Line Replacement Permission Form
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is working to replace water service lines containing lead or galvanized metal throughout the City of Philadelphia.
PWD will be using contracted plumbers for replacement of service lines.
Because residential service lines are owned by the property owner, PWD must get property owners to sign this form to give PWD permission to replace their service line. Completing this permission form is the first step in the service line replacement process. See more below the form for information about what to expect during service line replacement.
What to expect
Before replacement
- PWD and/or its approved contractor(s) will contact you to schedule an appointment to discuss the areas of the property that may be disturbed by construction and post-construction restoration protocol.
- Post-construction restoration requirements will also be discussed. Significant restoration not covered by PWD will be the responsibility of the property owner. This may include items such as steps, patios, retaining walls, specialty or tinted concrete, stone or brick walls or paving, structures of any type, trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers.
- After the assessment, PWD or the property owner can elect to not complete the service line replacement.
- The property owner must provide reasonable, safe, lighted, and unblocked access to the water meter and to the water service piping inside the property. This includes access to the wall or floor area where the water line enters the building and moving any items blocking access such as boxes, furniture, washers, dryers, etc. If the water meter and/or service line is located behind a finished wall or under a finished floor, the property owner is responsible for removing the obstruction and establishing the necessary access to perform the work. The property owner is responsible for repairs of the disturbed area after service line replacement.
- PWD will provide the resident with instructions for the required post-replacement flushing of the property’s plumbing system and a pitcher filter with instructions for use.
- PWD and/or its approved contractor(s) will take interior and exterior photos before the work begins.
- PWD and/or its approved contractor(s) will contact you to schedule the water service line replacement.
During replacement
- The property owner or representative who is at least 18 years old must be at the property on the date and time scheduled for PWD to perform the work.
- A PWD approved contractor(s) will turn off the water service to the building for about 4 hours while completing replacement.
- A PWD approved contractor(s) will replace all portions of the service line identified as either lead or galvanized requiring replacement at no cost to the property owner.
- PWD will employ all reasonable methods and precautions in performing the service line replacement to avoid or minimize disturbance to the interior and exterior of the property.
After replacement
- PWD and/or its approved contractor(s) will restore disturbed areas by backfilling with the appropriate material and restoring disturbed areas.
- The property owner may be responsible for the restoration of exterior landscaping, hardscaping, or structures on the property that impede the replacement of the water service or are disturbed as part of the service line replacement.
- PWD will take interior and exterior photos after work is complete.
- The property owner or resident representative is responsible for performing the required flushing of the property’s plumbing system, as described in PWD’s instructions. The property owner or resident representative is also responsible for using the pitcher filter and cartridges, as described in PWD’s instructions.
- After installation, maintenance of the water service line from the water main to the water meter remains the responsibility of the property owner. All work associated with the service line replacement will be guaranteed for a one-year period following completion of the work.