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What is a Communication Pipe?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A communication pipe is a pipe running from the water main to the boundary of a property to allow a structure to connect with a municipal water supply. Legally, maintenance of this pipe is the responsibility of the water and sewer company, although residents should report any problems they notice rather than waiting for the company to identify them. The communication pipe connects to a valve or stopcock, with a supply pipe to the house running from the other side of the valve. The supply pipe is usually the responsibility of the property owner.

Utilities are careful when they lay communication pipe. They usually want to keep the length short to make it easy to find and fix leaks, and they must also consider other buried utilities in the area, including sewer, electricity, and phone. The pipe is usually easy to identify, as there will be an access hatch to get to the stopcock. Utility employees can isolate a home from the municipal water supply when people do not pay their bill, there are concerns about contamination, or repairs need to be made to the line.

Most utilities have a hot-line people can call before engaging in digging operations.
Most utilities have a hot-line people can call before engaging in digging operations.

When people identify a leak in their water system, the first step is usually to examine indoor plumbing to see if any fixtures inside a structure are leaking. If the plumbing appears sound, the supply or communication pipes can search for signs of a problem. Warning signs can include soft, marshy ground or puddles of water. Since communication pipes often run under pavement and sidewalks, it is sometimes hard to find a leak until it becomes severe.

Periodically, a utility may need to perform work on a communication pipe or main, and they will temporarily turn the water off. This work can include cleaning pipes, removing blockages, and replacing broken or worn pipes. Many municipalities wait to replace old piping until it breaks or someone identifies a safety issue like lead leaching. Curious homeowners may want to take a look, as they may have a chance to see antique ceramic or wood piping while the utility workers perform the replacement.

If people are not sure about the location of a communication pipe and they have concerns about damaging it or other buried utilities while digging, they can request a utility map for their area. Many utilities also have a hot-line people can call before sinking trenches or engaging in other digging operations. A utility employee will come out by request to flag buried lines so people know to avoid them.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AboutMechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon1003778

Laurence, I've got a similar situation with Welsh Water, to which I, too would like an answer. We've had our supply pipe at the property up to the stopcock replaced. The water main is on the other side of the road. I understand that the pipe between the main and the stopcock is, by definition, a communication pipe, for which the water company is responsible. The communication pipe may also need to be replaced before they connect us up. Can Welsh Water charge us for its replacement? Is this legal?

laurence23

Is the communication pipe article only for America? The references to municipal water supply and water and sewage companies contrast with my Service from Welsh Water. I want to know if the fact they have put in a stop cock at my gate in the last year or so changes their claim that my stopcock is 175 yards up the public street, attached to a very short communication pipe linking it to the main.They claim the service pipe to my gate is a supply pipe for that 175 yards in the public street and that repairs are my responsibility.This is a legal question.

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    • Most utilities have a hot-line people can call before engaging in digging operations.
      By: Alliance
      Most utilities have a hot-line people can call before engaging in digging operations.