Leak Up To Owner

Under the LUTO Program, eligible residential property owners can contract BWSC to have a water service pipe leak on their property repaired at a reasonable cost. BWSC recommends property owners obtain price quotes from private contractors before hiring BWSC or another contractor. BWSC will allow property owners to pay the cost of the work in one payment or 24 equal installments incorporated into their water and sewer bill if BWSC is contracted to perform the repair. A typical LUTO repair involves minor excavation and is generally completed in one day.

Eligible residential property owners who participate in the LUTO Program will have their water service pipe replaced by BWSC at a reasonable cost and enjoy the option of spreading the payments out over 24 installments.

Boston property owners are eligible to participate in the LUTO Program if all of the following conditions are met:

• The property is a one- to three-family residential building
• The property is served by a two-inch or smaller water service pipe
• The water and sewer account for the property is active and not delinquent
• The homeowner agrees to have the work done by BWSC
• The work presents no extraordinary physical or other obstacles. For example, BWSC will not make a repair that requires removal of a porch, stairs, wall, fence, or shrubs

BWSC reserves the right to determine eligibility of a property under the LUTO Program.

To apply for the Leak Up To Owner (LUTO) Program, or if you would like more information, contact BWSC Operations at 617-989-7900.

BWSC’s Billing Termination and Appeal regulations state that a customer who has a leak on his or her water service pipe, or LUTO, has 15 days in which to repair it or the water service will be terminated. In the case of customer plumbing emergencies such as severe icing, immediate damage to property, or extreme loss of water, BWSC reserves the right to terminate service immediately.

Participation in the LUTO Program allows property owners to have repairs completed quickly and efficiently by BWSC, thereby reducing the amount of time a home may be out of water service.

Whether the property owner participates in the LUTO Program or not, BWSC will inspect the completed repair, take a meter reading, tag and seal the meter, and install a remote meter reading device at no cost to the property owner.

Any private contractors working on a service pipe must always obtain GSA permits from BWSC before construction or repair begins.

For other information regarding services provided by BWSC, please contact the Community Services Department at 617-989-7995.

Leak Up To Owner Brochure