Water Service Pipe vs. Water Main – Defined Per NYC Plumbing Code

Most people and many plumbers are quick to throw around the term “broken water main” or “my water distribution pipe is broken” without understand the true definition behind each term.

Under the NYC DEP plumbing code water service pipes are defined as “The pipe from the water main or other source is at the public right of way, to the water distribution system of the building served”.  The problem arises when someone is not familiar with the true definition per the plumbing code and may call the city or their plumber to notify them that there is a problem with a pipe inside the house. As a general term they notify that the water service pipe is leaking, and the city now has to dispatch a crew or a private company may dispatch the wrong type of crew.

tap hole

New water service pipe installed

Another common term that is misused in the plumbing industry is when speaking of a water main, which is an understandable mistake. Most people throughout NYC assume that the water main is any pipe running form their house, out to the street, including the city water pipe main. The NYC plumbing code states that the water main is “A water supply pipe or system of pipes, installed and maintained by a city, township, county, public utility company or other public entity, on public property, in the street or in a an approved dedicated easement of public or community use”.

Broken water main

To keep it simple for New Yorker’s, a water main is the city water pipe which runs up and down the street in most cases, which is parallel to the property.

The final term that falls into the same category is when referring to the water distribution pipe. The NYC plumbing code definition reads “A pipe within the structure or on the premises that conveys water from the water service pipe, or from the meter when the meter is at the structure, to the points of utilization.

Water distribution pipe leaking

In most houses or buildings this is referring to the “internal plumbing” and most commonly covers all pipes from the inside foundation wall of the house.

If you are in need of any type of emergency water pipe repair it is important to understand the difference and details of each term defined above. Understanding these details and providing a detailed explanation to the city or plumber may end up saving thousands of dollars in water damages as well as assisting in a speedy repair.