Apex owns and maintains the public side of each water service line, and the property owner owns and maintains the private side. When a leak shows up between the meter and the house, a plumber can repair the damaged section or replace the line, and Apex requires a permit even for same-size water line replacement. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Apex.
Apex service lines: newer pipe, clear rules
Apex runs its own distribution system with water from Jordan Lake, treated at the Cary/Apex plant the two towns share. The Town owns and maintains the public side of the service line, and the property owner owns and maintains the private side. A leak in the street or at the meter is a call to Apex Water Resources; one in your yard is yours to fix.
Most Apex homes are recent. The median house was built in 2008 and under 4% predate 1980. The Town says its inventory found no lead or galvanized service lines needing replacement, and owners of homes built before 1988 can request a free service line inspection. Failures here usually come from damage rather than age: a fitting that loosened as fill soil settled, a line cut during landscaping or a fence install, or stress where the pipe meets the foundation. Many Apex lawns also have an irrigation backflow assembly between the meter and the first sprinkler head, which the plumber needs to work around.
Ways to fix the line
| Approach | When it fits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One leak on a newer line | Least digging; other weak fittings stay in place |
| Open-trench replacement | Line damaged in several places or poorly installed | Opens a strip of yard from meter to house |
| Pull or bore a new line | Soil allows it and the route is clear | Small pits at each end; depends on what's in the way |
Signs of trouble
- A wet patch that appears between the meter and the house
- Pressure loss at every fixture at once
- The meter's leak indicator spinning with all water off
- Higher bills with no new use
Timing notes
Apex requires a permit for plumbing fixture work and same-size water line replacement, issued by Building Inspections and Permitting, so the schedule includes an inspection before backfill. Irrigation season is when many leaks get found, either because a sprinkler crew hits the line or because a new wet spot shows up once the system starts running. A leak found in a dry month is easier to trace, because the wet ground stands out.
Water Line Repair questions in Apex
Which part of the pipe between the street and my house is mine to fix?
Is a permit needed to repair or replace a water service line?
How can I find out what my service line is made of?
Is there a way to replace the line without digging a long trench?
More plumbing services in Apex
Water Line Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
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