Quincy, MA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair deadline
- 30 days after notice
- Enforcing office
- Commissioner of Public Works
- If not repaired
- city repairs, bills owner
- Leak location covered
- between main and meter
- Fee schedule item
- Water service line leak repair
Summary
Quincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) requires customers to repair leaks found in their own private water pipes once the Commissioner of Public Works gives notice, and lets the Department make the repair itself and bill the owner if it is not fixed within 30 days.
In the event that water leaks from private water pipes/service lines are found between the City main and the water meter, the Commissioner shall provide notice to the customer requiring repairs to be made to the private water pipes/service lines. If such repairs are not completed within 30 days of the notice, the Department shall have the right to enter the premises/property to make repairs. The customer shall be required to reimburse the Department for the full cost of repairs.
§ 270-19. Charges established.
A. Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Public Works and with the approval of His Honor, the Mayor, the value of charges shall be set at the following:
(1) Water service turn on/turn off: $75.
(2) Manual meter read: $100 per billing interval.
(3) Water meter test, meter one inch or smaller: $100.
(4) Water meter test, meter larger than one inch: if commercial customer fails to comply with City's request to test the meter, then the City is authorized to engage a private vendor to disassemble and test the meter and charge the cost of same to commercial customer.
(5) Meter freeze up: $100 plus cost of meter.
(6) Damaged, tampered, or missing meter: $150 plus cost of meter.
(7) Damaged, tampered, or missing meter reading device: $175 which includes replacement of meter reading device.
(8) Valve replacement: $150 which includes labor, parts and valves.
(9) Lawn service application: $75.
(10)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 270-18C of the Quincy Municipal Code covers leaks in private water pipes or service lines found between the city water main and the customer's meter. Once the Commissioner of Public Works notifies the customer that a leak needs repair, the customer has 30 days to fix it. If the repair is not completed in that window, the Department of Public Works may enter the property to make the repair itself and charge the customer the full cost of labor, materials, and any required police detail.
Violations & Fines
Missing the 30-day repair deadline lets the Department of Public Works enter the property and fix the leak itself, then bill the customer for the full cost of labor, materials, and police detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for a leak in my private water line in Quincy?
What happens if I don't fix a reported water leak?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
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