Key Takeaways
- Your utility is either the City of Rockville or WSSC Water. Check your bill.
- Utilities generally own the water and sewer mains in the street.
- Homeowners usually own the water service line and sewer lateral on their property.
- Call the utility first for problems in the street, and a plumber for problems at the house.
Two Utilities Serve Rockville, MD
Most homes inside Rockville city limits are served by the City of Rockville for water and sewer. Some neighborhoods, and the areas just outside the city, are served by WSSC Water. Your bill tells you which one you have. It matters, because the utility is who you call about a main break, a meter problem or a backup in the public sewer.
Who Usually Owns What
| Part of the system | Usually responsible | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Water main in the street | Utility | City of Rockville or WSSC Water |
| Water meter | Utility | Your utility |
| Service line from meter to house | Homeowner | A licensed plumber |
| Pipes inside the house | Homeowner | A licensed plumber |
| Public sewer main | Utility | Your utility |
| Sewer lateral from house to main | Homeowner (usually) | A licensed plumber |
Responsibility lines can differ by utility and property. Confirm with your utility, especially for the section of sewer lateral under the street or sidewalk.
The Sewer Lateral: The Part Homeowners Forget
The sewer lateral is the pipe that carries everything from your house to the public sewer. In older Rockville neighborhoods like Twinbrook, Hungerford and the West End, laterals are often clay or cast iron, and mature trees send roots into the joints. Backups, slow drains and soggy patches in the yard are the usual signs. Repairs are typically the homeowner's responsibility. See sewer line repair and our guide to tree roots in Rockville sewer lines.
The Water Service Line
The pipe from the meter to your house is usually yours too. Signs of a leak include a wet spot in the yard that never dries, a meter that moves with every fixture off, and dropping water pressure. Our leak detection finds the leak, and we repair or replace the line.
What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
- Water in the street or at the meter: call your utility first.
- Several neighbors with sewer backups: likely the public main. Call the utility.
- Only your house backing up: likely your lateral. Call a plumber.
- Wet spot between the meter and the house: likely your service line. Call a plumber.
- Not sure: call us. We'll help figure out which side it's on.
We repair service lines and sewer laterals across Rockville and neighboring North Bethesda, Derwood and Gaithersburg.
