Guide
Salt Lake City water and sewer lines: who fixes what
When water is coming from a pipe, the first question is whose pipe it is. Salt Lake City Public Utilities draws the line at the meter for water and at the main for sewer.
Who to call
Numbers published by the city
| Situation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Sewage backup or sewer odor | Public Utilities 24-hour dispatch, 801-483-6700 (source) |
| Water main break, flooding, water quality | Same 24-hour dispatch line, 801-483-6700 |
| Meter turn-on or turn-off, billing | Public Utilities customer service, 801-483-6900 (source) |
| Water and sewer repair permits | Public Utilities Development Services, 801-483-6727 (source) |
| Building, plumbing and electrical permits | Building Services, 801-535-6000, 451 S State St (source) |
| Cleanup inside the home | A private restoration contractor, or call the number on this site |
Water line
The meter is the dividing line
For a typical home service line (under 1.5 inches), the city's homeowner responsibilities graphic shows Salt Lake City Water responsible from the water main to the water meter. The homeowner is responsible for anything after the meter to the home.
Larger service lines and private water mains have their own graphics on the Public Utilities GIS and mapping page. A leak on the house side of the meter is a job for a plumber.
Sewer line
The lateral belongs to the house
The same graphic places the sewer main with the city. The homeowner is responsible for the sewer wye or connection and for the sewer lateral running from the main to the home.
So a root-blocked or broken lateral is the owner's repair, even under the street. The city's GIS page describes a Sewer Lateral Map showing sewer lines, laterals and manholes, with permit notes by address (GIS page).
Permits
Repairs that need a permit
Salt Lake City Building Services says most construction projects require a permit, including installing or altering plumbing, electrical or HVAC systems. Painting, laying flooring and other cosmetic work are exceptions (permit FAQ).
Emergency work that couldn't wait can start without a permit, but the permit must be obtained as soon as practical, generally the next day. Owner-occupants may pull permits for their primary residence; for rentals and commercial property a contractor must obtain them.
Salt Lake Valley
Talk the damage through with a local restoration contractor
A single call reaches an independent contractor that handles water, smoke and mold jobs in Salt Lake City and the surrounding cities. You decide whether to book anything.
Water where it shouldn't be?
The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that takes jobs in the Salt Lake Valley. Describe the source, the rooms involved and when it started.
Call (801) 823-6866Calls may be recorded for quality and billing. How the line is paid: referral disclosure. What is recorded: privacy.