Wilmington, DE Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 45-96
- Fine for water waste/leak
- $100 misdemeanor
- Shared pipe leaks
- every connected owner liable
- Street/alley pipe repairs
- permit required first
- Small service line replacement
- DPW program, § 45-124
Summary
Wilmington property owners must stop wasted water from private pipes and repair leaks promptly, or face a misdemeanor fine.
Any person who permits water to flow unnecessarily from any private pipe or fixtures thereof on his premises, or the premises occupied by him, either within or without a building or enclosure, or any street or alley, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of $100.00. In all cases where several persons receive a supply of water by branches uniting with a private common pipe every person who may so receive the water shall be bound to keep such common pipe in repair, and in case of waste by leak therefrom shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of $100.00. If at any time it shall be necessary to repair a private pipe within the limits of any public street or alley, a permit shall be first obtained for so doing, and the expense of such repairing shall be paid by the person interested. Persons failing to obtain such a permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of $100.00.
(Code 1968, § 47-82; Ord. No. 95-011(sub 1), § 2, 3-2-95)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code Sec. 45-96, letting water flow unnecessarily from a private pipe or fixture, on your property or into a street or alley, is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100 fine. Where several properties share a common private pipe, every connected owner is responsible for keeping it in repair, and waste from a leak in that shared line draws the same $100 fine. Repairs to a private pipe located within a public street or alley require a permit first; skipping the permit is its own $100 misdemeanor. Separately, the Department of Public Works may replace failing residential water service lines 1.5 inches or smaller under Sec. 45-124, but ongoing maintenance of any repaired or replaced private line stays the property owner's responsibility.
Violations & Fines
Unnecessary water waste from a private pipe: $100 fine. Waste from an unrepaired shared common pipe: $100 fine per responsible owner. Repairing a private pipe in a public street/alley without a permit: $100 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays to fix a leaking private water pipe in Wilmington?
Do I need a permit to fix a leak under a Wilmington street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
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