The Story Behind Hooking Your Rural Home Up to City Water

When you buy land in a rural area and decide to build on the property, one of the most important things you must have in order to construct a home is the water supply your family will use. There are two ways you can get water to your home. The first is a well and the second is a municipal water supply. Either way, you have to have the lines installed to get the water from the source to your home. Here is a look at how hooking your home to a water source from a municipality works.

The Beginning

To get water from the city or county to your home, you must call the water department and obtain a list of regulations and requirements you will need for your home to qualify to hook up to the existing water lines. You will be notified of permits, zoning regulations, and any other paperwork you need to fill out. There will also be a fee for the administration and filing fees on the city’s or county’s end, which could cost around $5,000 per line. If you are unable to pay in a lump sum, the municipality often offers financing programs.

The Middle

The water company will give you the specifications of what they require for all pipes from the water main at the edge of your property into your home. You will need to have a water line company come in and lay the specified pipes from your home to the city lines. If you live in a cold climate, the lines will need to be buried deeply to ensure they don’t freeze – at least 12 inches below the frost line in most states.

The End

The next step is to contact the water company and request an installation date. The company will attach the lines, turn on the water, and begin to send you water bills.

Working with a municipal water company isn’t difficult, but it can be time consuming. A water line installation company can help you fulfill all the necessary requirements and get the job done quickly, so there is no problem with the water company and the water line connection.