Burleson, TX Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Section 82-13 of the Burleson Code of Ordinances puts the repair burden for water and sewer service lines on the property side. Subsection (a) makes it the duty of any person owning, leasing, claiming, occupying, maintaining, or having supervision or control of any real property within the corporate limits of the city to construct, repair, replace and maintain in operating condition any utility service line that provides utility service to such property. A tenant, agent or owner each fall within that list.

Section 82-12 sets the boundary. A utility service line is pipe that extends from private property to the potable water system or sanitary sewer system, and the potable water system terminates where the private service line connects to the water meter, or where the detector check assembly connects to the public line. A leak on the property side of the meter is the property's repair job.

Subsection (b) adds a sewer rule: the same persons must clean utility service lines that connect to the sanitary sewer system, including removal of roots and other obstructions. The City of Burleson repairs and replaces broken or damaged sewer service lines located within public rights-of-way, and has the right to recover that cost from any third party whose negligence or willful misconduct broke or damaged them.

The billing side is in § 82-11. Under § 82-11(a), a consumer is held responsible for loss of water, including breakage in pipe or plumbing on the discharge side of the meter, and service is discontinued until charges are paid. Under § 82-11(b), a customer can request a one-time-every-twenty-four-months leak adjustment credit, initiated by submitting documentation within ninety days of the water loss incident. Acceptable proof includes a licensed plumber's receipt, proof of leak with a parts receipt, or proof of leak with city records showing the date and time the shutoff was called in. The credit is fifty percent of usage above the prior twelve-month average, up to $500.00, and a denial can be appealed to the city manager or designee.