Water Service Infrastructure – Ownership and Responsibility
The Sudbury Water District (“District”) shall be responsible for the ownership, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrading of the curb stop and the street-side water service line (pipe) located upstream of the curb stop (the curb stop is generally located at or near the property line within the public right-of-way). The District shall further own and retain exclusive responsibility for the first shutoff valve located immediately upstream of the water meter and the water meter assembly, for services up to and including one (1) inch in size. No person or entity other than the District, or parties duly authorized by the District, shall perform any maintenance, repair, replacement, or upgrade of the District-owned first shutoff valve or meter assembly.

The owner of record shall be solely responsible for the ownership, maintenance, repair, and replacement costs associated with the water service line (pipe) located downstream of the curb stop, including all piping extending into the dwelling or building (the owner-side water service line). Except for the District-owned first shutoff valve and water meter assembly, the owner of record shall be solely responsible for the maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrading of all internal plumbing appurtenances, including, but not limited to, the second shutoff valve located downstream of the meter and the pressure reducing valve (PRV). The owner of record shall further be responsible for protecting and safeguarding the District-owned first shutoff valve and meter assembly from damage, including but not limited to damage caused by neglect, freezing, vandalism, theft, or other causes. Any frozen, damaged, stolen, or destroyed first shutoff valve or meter assembly up to and including one (1) inch in size attributable to the owner’s failure to provide adequate protection shall be repaired or replaced at the owner’s expense, and such costs shall be billed directly to the owner of record.

Commercial, industrial, and municipal entities served by a water meter classified or rated for commercial or industrial service, exceeding one (1) inch in nominal size, shall bear full and exclusive responsibility for the ownership, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of such meter assembly, subject to and in accordance with the technical standards, schedules of rates, fees, and policies of the Sudbury Water District.

No maintenance, repair, or replacement of any commercial or industrial-rated water meter shall be undertaken unless and until prior written authorization has been issued by the District. Such authorization shall be evidenced by a fully executed General Water Permit Application, bearing the signature of the District Foreman or a duly authorized District representative.

All maintenance, repair, or replacement work involving a commercial or industrial-sized water meter shall be performed exclusively by a Massachusetts-licensed plumber and shall be subject to inspection, approval, and acceptance by the Sudbury Water District prior to being placed into service.

Right to Enter Property
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 165, Section 11D, and the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations, the District may enter any premises connected to the public water system to install, examine, calibrate, repair, test, or remove the first shutoff valve and meter assembly.

Unobstructed Work Space
A minimum unobstructed working space of two (2) feet by two (2) feet (2′ × 2′) shall be maintained at all times around the first shutoff valve located upstream of the meter, the meter assembly, and all associated appurtenances, so as to provide safe, direct, and continuous access for the purpose of conducting inspections, testing, maintenance, repairs, replacements, and system upgrades.

Failure to maintain the required working space shall constitute a violation of the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations and may result in enforcement action, including but not limited to the issuance of corrective orders, recovery of costs incurred by the District, or interruption of water service, as permitted by law.

Regulatory Requirements Governing Owner-Side Water Service Line Repair/Replacement

Compliance
All persons, firms, corporations, or other legal entities performing work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system shall strictly comply with all applicable requirements, including but not limited to, the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.), the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.00), the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, bylaws, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, technical standards, specifications, rates, and fees.

Authorization, Licensing and Permitting
No person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity shall commence any work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system unless and until written authorization has been issued by the District in the form of a fully executed General Water Permit Application, bearing the signature of the District Foreman or a duly authorized agent.

Work performed without such authorization constitutes a violation and may be subject to enforcement action, including but not limited to actions authorized under 310 CMR 22.00 and the Sudbury Water District System Rules and Regulations.

All persons, firms, corporations, or other legal entities seeking to perform work in connection with, or affecting, the Sudbury Water District public drinking water system must hold an active Water Contractor License issued by the Sudbury Water District or obtain such license prior to performing any work in connection with or affecting the District’s public drinking water system.

15-Calendar Day Deadline
The treatment and delivery of potable water is resource-intensive; timely repair is necessary and required to minimize water loss and to comply with the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR 22.00), therefore repairs, or replacement of a leaking owner-side service line (pipe) is required to be completed within fifteen (15) calendar days from the initial notice issued.

Inspection
All repair work must be inspected and approved by District personnel prior to backfilling of any trench.

Enforcement
Pursuant to Article IX of the Sudbury Water District Rules and Regulations, failure to complete the required repairs within the specified timeframe may result in termination of water service.

Download Water Service Infrastructor – Ownership and Responsibility