As the county seat and the biggest city next to Colton, San Bernardino covers a lot of ground, from the downtown grid to neighborhoods up toward the foothills and Cal State San Bernardino. Homes here range widely in age and layout, so water line replacement in San Bernardino starts with one simple step: finding out exactly what's in the ground at your address.
Who's responsible for what
Most of the city gets its water from the San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, which runs a large system: roughly 551 miles of water mains and over 40,000 active meters, fed mainly by wells in the Bunker Hill groundwater basin. Some properties near the city's edges are served by neighboring agencies, so check the name on your bill.
Whichever agency it is, the split usually works like this:
| Part of the system | Usually handled by |
|---|---|
| Water main in the street | Your water provider |
| Water meter | Your water provider |
| Line from the meter to your house | The homeowner |
| Shutoff valve and pipes at the house | The homeowner |
If water is coming up in the street or the meter box, report it to your provider. If it's in your yard, under your walkway or along the side of the house, that's your line.
When it's an emergency
A main line break can push out a lot of water fast. If you can safely reach your home's main shutoff valve, close it to stop the flow, then call. Phones are answered 24/7, and emergency water line repair is available with same-day service. Once the water is under control, the next step is working out whether a repair will hold or the line needs replacing.
Repair or replace?
A buried break in otherwise sound pipe can often be located and fixed in one spot with underground water line repair. When a line has leaked repeatedly, is badly corroded, or has failed in more than one place, a full water service line replacement from the meter to the house is usually the better long-term choice. The free quote can lay out both so you can compare.
Before digging on any San Bernardino property, buried gas, power and cable lines are marked through 811, and the route of your water line is traced so the opening is in the right place the first time.
San Bernardino water line questions
Does the San Bernardino water department repair the line to my house?
Water providers generally maintain their mains and meters. The pipe from the meter to your house is usually the homeowner's responsibility. If you're unsure where a leak is, contact your provider or ask us for leak detection.
Do you cover the whole city?
San Bernardino borders Colton to the north, and service is available across the city. If you're near the edge of the city or in an unincorporated pocket, call and we'll confirm.
How do I find my main shutoff valve?
It's often near where the water line enters the house, sometimes in a small box in the ground or on an exposed pipe near the front hose bib. Turn it clockwise to close. If it's stuck, don't force it. Call for help instead.