Water Service

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the water service from your house to your property line.  The curbside connection valve is District of Squamish property and is located on the property line and attaches your connection to the watermain.

Tip: If you notice that the watermain, sewer, or storm drain is being replaced on your street, this is a great time have a qualified plumber to inspect your connections to see that they are in good condition and working properly.

Water Service Leaks

Water leaks affect everyone; they can damage property, put public health at risk, add an increased collective cost to all tax payers, and it is a waste of a precious natural resource upon which we all rely.

Owner Responsibility

Property owners are responsible for all water pipes and appliances that extend from the Service Valve to the private property.

In most cases, the Service Valve is at the property line which is a few metres from the curb or sidewalk. The Service Valve is the property and responsibility of the District of Squamish and it is unlawful to tamper with it. If there are any concerns with District property leaks or damages, please contact the District Operations Office right away.

Diagram showing where homeowner responsibility ends and the District's begins at the property line.

A water leak can cause the following issues:

  • Drinking water contamination*
    • It could affect the safety of the municipality’s water supply.
  • Damage to the foundation of your home
    • Water pooling around the foundation of your home can cause costly damage and may leak inside the basement of the house.
  • Waste of natural resources
    • Fresh water is a finite resource on our planet and one we all depend on. We all need to do our part to reduce needless waste.
  • Increased cost for water treatment and distribution
    • All drinking water in the distribution system is treated and pumped to be delivered to the end user which can add up to a cost when water is constantly leaking out of the service line. This increased demand will also expedite the need for costly upgrades to our water system.
  • Reduced water pressure
    • Depending on the size of your water leak, you may experience reduced water pressure inside your house.
  • Home fire suppression systems may be affected
    • If water flow is significantly reduced, it may decrease the effectiveness of in home fire suppression systems.
  • Water pipes freezing
  • Natural wear and tear (aging pipes)
  • Ground movement
  • Corrosion
  • Improper installation
  • Water flowing or pooling on the ground surface
  • Sounds like water is running (rushing water, rumbling or hissing) when all taps and appliances are turned off
  • Reduced water pressure
  1. Call a certified contractor to confirm the source of the leak and make the repair.
  2. Call the District of Squamish at 604.815.6868 to shut off the water service so the repair can be made. A Water On/Off Fee ($100) will apply. Only District staff are allowed to turn the water on or off at the Service Valve.
  3. Keep taps closed and turn off water tanks to prevent damage while the water service is off. (This is a good time to wash all aerators, screens and water filters. Be sure to follow all manufacturer recommendations.)
  4. When the repair is complete, call the District of Squamish to turn the water service back on.

There are a few methods used to repair a water service:

  • Service pull - Trenchless procedure that pulls a replacement water service from the house to the service valve with minimal digging. 
  • Excavating - Trench excavation from The District’s service valve to the house. 
  • Spot repair - Using the hydrovac procedure (pressurized water and vacuum system to expose underground pipes) allows for repairs to a water service at the immediate leak location. 

The cost of the water service repair will vary greatly depending on the contractor, type of repair or replacement, the extent of the damage and access to the issue. These repairs aren’t typically covered by a basic homeowner’s insurance policy however it may be worth following up. In order to reduce the financial impact of unplanned repairs, you may wish to explore additional insurance options. Talk to your current home insurance provider.

When turning your water service on or off at the curbside connection, accidents and breakage of components can occur.  During a water on/off callout, municipal operations staff conduct an inspection of several features connected to the residential water service in preparation for any breakage situation.  This inspection includes the operation and cleaning of adjacent valves to prepare for a situation where a leak needs to be contained. The sooner a break can be turned off the less potential there is for damage to people and property.

Liability.  If a break occurs to the curbside connection when the water service is turned off/on by a municipal operator, it is up to municipal staff to repair with no charge to the homeowner.

Costs associated with breaks in water services that occur due to homeowner tampering with the municipal portion of the water service are 100% borne by the homeowner. This includes repairs to any property, private and public, that the damage may cover. 

Water OFF/ON form

See our Fees and Charges Bylaw for more information: View our bylaw library.

Cross Connection Control

The cross connection control protects drinking water from contamination. 

  • A cross connection is the physical connection between the potable (drinking) water system and an end use where a potential contamination hazard exists.
  • Contamination can happen from backflow through cross connections with private plumbing systems or appurtenances. 
  • Backflow is the reverse flow of contaminants into the potable water distribution system.
  • A reverse flow is possible when there is a negative pressure in the system, which can be a result of fire hydrants being opened in an emergency event.
  • A backflow prevention assembly is a “one-way” valve or assembly that only allows water to flow in the desired direction and physically prevents reverse flow.

Cross Connection Control at home

Residential cross connections include items such as pools and hot tubs. Pools and hot tubs that are permanently connected to the home plumbing system are direct cross connections and must be protected with a backflow device. An unprotected cross connection could draw pool water and chemicals back into your household plumbing system and public water supply.

Types of cross connections at home

Pools and hot tubs that are permanently connected to the home plumbing system are direct cross connections and must be protected with a backflow device.

An unprotected cross connection could draw pool water and chemicals back into your household plumbing system and public water supply.

A submerged hose is another cross connection.

When filling a pool or hot tub with a hose:

  • Never submerge the end of the hose.
  • Always leave an air gap when filling pools, tubs, sinks or containers. Or use a backflow prevention device known as a hose connections vacuum breaker. This can be purchased for under $25 at a hardware or plumbing supply store.

Water leaks that allow water to pool around the broken pipe are also a contamination concern because the pooling water could be drawn back into the drinking water distribution system.

If you have a concern about a water leak in your home, please visit our Water Service Leaks information above.