Burlington, WI Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Section 304-7 of the Water chapter governs residential and commercial water service, and Subsection I specifically assigns leak-repair responsibility. The service pipe running from the water main through the curb stop is maintained, kept in repair and, when worn out, replaced at the Utility's own expense. From the curb stop onward to the point of use inside the property, however, the property owner bears the maintenance duty, and the Utility Manager can bill the owner for any water that never passed through the meter because it was wasted through leakage or defective pipes and fixtures, based on the Manager's estimate.

If an owner fails to repair a leaking or broken service pipe between the curb and the point of metering or use within a time the Utility Manager considers reasonable after serving notice, the Utility will shut off the water and will not restore service until the repairs are finished. Related provisions reinforce the same leak-prevention framework. Subsection K requires every service to have an accessible stop box positioned below the frost line so the Utility can shut the water off completely, and it makes clear the Utility bears no responsibility if it cannot locate that stop box during a leak on the customer's premises, underscoring why keeping the box clear of dirt and obstructions, a duty Subsection K also places on the customer, matters.

Subsection J's frozen-service rule works the same direction: the Utility thaws frozen services at its own expense unless the freezing traces to the customer's own fault or negligence, such as failing to maintain proper pipe depth or backfill, in which case the customer can be billed for the resulting water use.