$11,000 Water Bill

[Rustyiron]

A few points to your (possible) up coming arguments.
What's the frequency of water meter reading/billing? Could the water Co. have alerted you any earlier?
Are you still in the builders warranty period? (assuming you bought it new from the builder)
Research the water Co. policy for a "no fault" leakage, you can't be the first one to have this happen to.
Is this PVC pipe normally used in your area for water service? I haven't seen rigid PVC used ever.

Wish I could be more help, especially while your half a world away serving - the rest of us :thumbsup:
That is a very strange hole for sure! Worn through 2 layers.

 

[justinramani]

I feel **** near helpless being in Iraq and unable to face the builder or water dept. In person. I really feel bad for my wife too. It's just been a horrible week for us. Trying to stay positive, but I'm terrified of another leak.

 

[TheMan419]

If you are on active duty can SCRA help you out at all? Check w JAG to see if they can give you any advice.

 

[RobertBrown]

What is the static pressure?
Is it possible something chewed through the pipe before it was pressurized?
Typically a line like that would require a permit and subsequent inspection. The pipe is usually pressure tested and this is documented. Was the line hydrostatically tested?

 

[justinramani]

Nope - through some research this week it looks like the builder dropped in the line before the inspector ever came out. Also pretty sure that it wasn't installed by a licensed plumber. The same guy that did the grading/road install ditched the line and put in the pipe....

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

First off thanks for your service!

http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineeri...ments/PlumbingCode-2012NCAmendments100517.pdf

Looks like frost line in NC is 12 inches, around here it's 3ft.

I would look to see where the meter is located, where your responsibility starts ext. mine stops after it leaves my house, the water I'm hooked to covers from the main line to the house.

I would also see who is responsible for the site, do you own the property? Does the builders tech own the house until it's finished?

I would say the builders are at fault, if there actively on site building the house and you have a contract of sorts that you are not to move in or take over the house until after the house is finished I would think the bill would fall on the persons responsible. Also how far along is the house? Should the water have been turned on yet at this stage of the build? I would think the water would only NEED to be turned on closer to Finnish if you or your wife are not in the house, so turning the water on early would fall on the fault of the builder or utility company?

Doesn't a new water line need to be pressure tested and inspected? There should be some kind of paper trail of a inspection on that water line, someone I think would have to have signed off on a pressure test or something.

I know nothing about building a house but that's what I would think, to say it's your fault when the house isn't finished is just silly.

 

[justinramani]

Thank you. The house was finished about 11 months ago.

 

[Snobdds]

That failure is right on the joint, that's two layers of plastic. The wrong glue was used I bet. I would stick to your guns about new pipe. Sorry you have to deal with it, while overseas for us.

 

[RobertBrown]

So the line is connected to the municipal water system......and it wasn't inspected. How about a back flow preventer? Is there any cross connection control?

 

[justinramani]

So the line is connected to the municipal water system......and it wasn't inspected. How about a back flow preventer? Is there any cross connection control?

I am not sure if it has a backflow preventer. I know that the builder had to put on a pressure reducing valve right after the meter to control the pressure. I'm not sure what cross connection control is.