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Water Main Break or My Own Pipe? How to Tell in Richardson
If water is coming up in the street and neighbors lost pressure too, it’s probably a city main: report it to the City of Richardson. If the leak is inside your house or on your side of the meter, it’s yours: shut off your main and call a plumber.
Quick check
City main or your pipe?
| What you see | Likely | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Water bubbling up in the street or curb | City water main | City of Richardson |
| Several homes lost pressure at once | City main or district line | City of Richardson |
| Water near your meter box only | Could be either; the meter is the dividing line | City of Richardson first |
| Wet spot in your yard between meter and house | Your service line | Plumber |
| Leak inside the house, neighbors fine | Your plumbing | Shut off main; plumber |
| Warm spot in your floor, meter spinning | Your line under the slab | Plumber; see slab leaks |
Who owns what
The meter is the dividing line
- City of Richardson: water mains in the street and the meter.
- North Texas Municipal Water District: large transmission pipelines that bring water to Richardson and nearby cities.
- You: the service line from the meter to the house and all plumbing inside.
In late August 2018, a 72-inch water district pipeline broke on Crystal Mountain Drive in Richardson. The district asked customers to curtail outdoor watering until it was back in service on September 3. During Winter Storm Uri, city crews answered 26 water main breaks in ten days.
Either way
If water got into your house
The drying is the same whoever’s pipe broke. Shut off your main if water is coming in, photograph everything, report it, and call (972) 947-2040. See burst pipe repair and slab leak water damage.
FAQ
Main break FAQs
How do I know if it’s a water main break?
Signs of a city main break include water bubbling up through the street, curb or a neighbor’s yard, low or no water pressure for several homes at once, or discolored water across the neighborhood. A leak only in your house or yard, with neighbors unaffected, is more likely your line.
Who do I call for a water main break in Richardson?
Report it to the City of Richardson. The city lists its water and sewer customer service line and its 24-hour response line on its official website and city communications. The large 72-inch transmission lines belong to the North Texas Municipal Water District, but the city is the place to report.
Who pays if a city main break floods my house?
That depends on the cause and the city’s liability rules. Your own homeowner policy may cover sudden water damage, but rising surface water can be treated as flood. Document everything, report it to the city, and contact your insurer promptly.
Sources for this page
Last updated October 2026.
Water inside your house?
Whoever’s pipe it was, the drying can’t wait. Call now.