What is the difference between a water main and a service line?

A water main brings water in a large diameter pipe from the water filtration plants and wells to the street in front of your home or business. Your service line is connected to the City main in the street. The valve is seven feet underground and can only be accessed (and turned on or off) with a special wrench used by the Utility Department. We turn your water off at this “curb stop” when you request your water be shut off for a plumber to make repairs and also to determine if a water leak is on the City (main) side or the homeowner’s (service) line.

Show All Answers

1. What is the quality of Edina’s water?
2. What is the hardness of Edina water and what is the recommended setting for my water softener?
3. Does the City of Edina have watering restrictions?
4. Sometimes my water smells like bleach. Why? Is that harmful? What can I do to rid the water of that smell?
5. When does the City flush the fire hydrants?
6. How long does it take after flushing hydrants for my water to run clear?
7. My family from out of state says my water tastes different. Can that be true?
8. I want my water tested. Where do I take it?
9. I have orange spots on my white laundry. Are the clothes ruined?
10. Is “biodegradable” material “flushable” material?
11. Why do you flush all the hydrants on my street? Wouldn’t one or two suffice?
12. I had water shooting up out of my lower-level toilets and a sewer gas smell. What happened? Who's going to clean it up?
13. What should I do if there is water bubbling out of the street or from my yard?
14. What is the difference between a water main and a service line?
15. What happens when a sewer backs-up?