Dearborn, MI Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair duty
- Owner's own cost and expense
- Shutoff notice
- 2 days' prior written notice
- Enforcing office
- Division of Water Supply
- Leak billing credit
- Up to 50% of leakage, once/year
Summary
Dearborn property owners must keep service pipes in repair at their own expense and stop water waste from leaks, or the water division can shut off service after two days' written notice.
Every person having service from the water supply system shall, at his own cost and expense, keep in repair all service pipes, including private pipes leading from the shutoff stop to the building or premises, and prevent all waste of water from such pipes. If any such pipes be permitted to remain out of repair, the division of water supply may, after two days' prior notice in writing, shut off the water from such premises, and whenever the water is so shut off, it shall not be permitted to be turned on again until such pipe have been placed in proper repair. The notice herein provided for may be served by personal service or by mailing to the owner or occupant or person in possession, charge or control of the premises. (Ord. No. 85-326, § 12, 6-4-85)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Dearborn Code of Ordinances § 19-13 puts the repair burden squarely on the customer: every person served by the water system must keep all service pipes -- including private lines from the shutoff stop to the building -- in repair at their own cost, and prevent any resulting water waste. If pipes stay unrepaired, the Division of Water Supply can shut off service after two days' prior written notice, and won't turn the water back on until the pipe is placed in proper repair. Under the related § 19-27, once a leak is confirmed repaired the utility manager may also credit up to 50 percent of the leakage on one quarterly bill per calendar year.
Violations & Fines
Unrepaired leaking service pipes can trigger a water shutoff after two days' prior written notice; service isn't restored until the pipe is placed in proper repair, per § 19-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to fix a leaking water pipe in Dearborn?
What happens if I don't repair a leaking pipe?
Can I get a credit for a leak on my water bill?
Sources & Official References
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Leak Reporting Duty in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle leak reporting duty.