Allentown, PA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner's pipe duty
- Curb stop to building is owner's responsibility (§ 633-3)
- Investigating agency
- Bureau of Water Resources, under Public Works Director
- Repair trigger
- Notice given, then owner must repair forthwith
- Non-repair consequence
- Inspector of leaks shuts off water supply
- Restoration condition
- No reconnection until repairs made, cost paid
- General penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine or 90 days jail (§ 633-15)
Summary
Allentown property owners are responsible for their own water service pipe from the curb stop to the building, and must repair leaks once notified. Under Section 633-6, the Bureau of Water Resources investigates reports of wasted water, and if the owner refuses or neglects to make needed repairs after notice, the inspector of leaks shuts off the supply.
The executive head of the Bureau of Water Resources, or any other person acting under an order from him, is authorized and empowered to inquire at any dwelling or place where any unnecessary waste of water occurs into the cause of the same. If the waste occurs from need of repair in the pipe or other fixtures, and if the owner or occupier thereof shall neglect or refuse, upon notice given, to have the necessary repairs made forthwith, the inspector of leaks, acting under the order of the executive head, will shut off the water leading to such place. No one will turn on the water before the necessary repairs are made. The cost to the City of turning off the water shall be fully paid.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4995055; v49 updated 2026-06-26; through 06-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 633 of the Allentown Code puts leak repair squarely on the property owner. " If an inspection traces the waste to a pipe or fixture needing repair and the owner or occupier "shall neglect or refuse, upon notice given, to have the necessary repairs made forthwith," the Bureau's inspector of leaks will shut off the water supply to the property. The code is explicit that no one may turn the water back on until the repairs are actually completed, and the owner bears "the cost to the City of turning off the water," which "shall be fully paid" before service is restored.
The Bureau of Water Resources operates under the Director of Public Works (Section 633-1), who is charged with enforcing all water-related ordinances. Separately, Section 633-13 lets the Bureau's head or an authorized agent enter a building at reasonable times to inspect service pipes and fixtures for proper order and repair, and anyone who obstructs that inspection is subject to the penalties set out for the article.
Violations & Fines
Article I of Chapter 633, which includes the leak and waste-repair duty, carries a general penalty at Section 633-15: anyone violating the article "shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both." Beyond that fine, an owner who ignores a repair notice loses water service outright until the Bureau confirms the repair is done and the shutoff cost is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a water leak in Allentown?
What happens if I don't fix a leak after the City notifies me?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allentown
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