Everett, MA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Section 20-13 of the Everett Revised Ordinances puts the repair burden on the water customer in the City of Everett, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. The person to whom water service is furnished must keep the service pipes within his premises in good order and repair, and protected from frost, and must not allow the water to leak away or run to waste. Section 20-13 prints no repair deadline and no reporting step. On the city side, Section 20-1(b) directs the city services commission to keep and maintain the pipes and other waterworks under its charge in good condition and repair.

Section 20-12 makes sections 20-13 to 20-19 part of the water contract with every person to whom water is furnished. Whenever such a regulation is violated, the water can be shut off, and service is not restored except as the chapter provides. Section 20-14(b) requires the customer to allow the city services commission and its authorized agents to enter the premises to examine the fixtures, ascertain the quantity of water used and the manner of use, and check whether there is any unnecessary waste. Section 20-14(a) bars any change in the pipes prior to the meter unless the commission approves it, and Section 20-16 allows only a duly authorized agent of the commission to turn on or shut off the water service.

Meters connect to leak response. Section 20-15(i) says that upon notification that a meter is broken or missing, the Commission installs a new meter, provided the premises are meter-ready, while replacement of a frozen meter or one lost in service is at the owner's expense. Before shutting off water in any section of the city, Section 20-9 requires the commission to notify the affected users except in an emergency. Section 20-18 provides that service is discontinued for a customer who neglects or refuses to comply with the chapter, and that the customer is also liable to a fine under Section 1-8.