Erwin's water and sewer are run by Harnett Regional Water, and the town's housing is old, with about two-thirds of homes built before 1980. When the line from the meter to your house leaks, a plumber can repair it or replace the run. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Erwin.
Erwin's water and its old housing
Erwin has no town water department. Harnett County bought the town's water and sewer systems in 2006, so service calls and billing go to Harnett Regional Water, which treats Cape Fear River water at its plant in Lillington. Erwin's housing reflects its cotton-mill past: the median home was built in 1966, about two-thirds predate 1980, and about 24% were built in 1939 or earlier. Lines in houses that old may be original galvanized steel or may have been patched more than once.
What to do now
- Close the main valve at the house if water is running freely.
- Call Harnett Regional Water if water is surfacing in the street or at the meter, and ask where its responsibility ends.
- Do a meter check. With everything off, movement after the house valve closes points to your buried line.
- Look for rust. Discolored water only at your house suggests old pipe on your side.
- Have a plumber trace the private line, since 811 marks only public utilities.
Symptom table
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Pressure has dropped slowly for years | Rust closing off old galvanized pipe |
| Wet ground between meter and house | Leak on the private service line |
| Rusty water at first use | Corroding metal pipe |
| Water in the street or meter box | Utility side; contact Harnett Regional Water |
| Repeated leaks a few feet apart | Line at the end of its life |
What affects the cost
- Patch or full replacement. Very old lines usually call for a new run.
- Distance and depth from the meter.
- Old lots with mature trees, steps or brick walks along the route.
- Permits. Erwin requires its own zoning permit first, then Harnett County Inspections handles plumbing inspections under an interlocal agreement.
When you call, you're connected with an independent local plumber who works in Erwin; this number is a referral service, not a plumbing company. Tell the plumber the age of the house if you know it, whether earlier repairs were made on the line and whether the water looks rusty. In homes this old, it's also worth asking whether the plumbing inside the house is due for attention while the line is being replaced.
Water Line Repair questions in Erwin
Which part of the pipe between the street and my house is mine to fix?
When is replacing the whole line smarter than fixing one leak?
Is a permit needed to repair or replace a water service line?
How can I find out what my service line is made of?
More plumbing services in Erwin
Water Line Repair nearby
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