Who Is Responsible for the Water Service Line in Gardena?
Before you call anyone, it helps to know whether a leak is likely the utility's responsibility or yours.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.
The short answer
In Gardena, drinking water is supplied by Golden State Water Company. Under its tariff rules, the utility furnishes and owns the service pipe, curb stop, meter and meter box, and the customer is responsible for the piping from the service connection to the place of use, which generally means the buried pipe on your side of the meter.
Who supplies water in Gardena
Golden State Water Company states that its Southwest service area serves "all of Gardena and Lawndale" (Golden State Water – Southwest). The City of Gardena also lists Golden State Water as its domestic water company (City of Gardena – Utility Providers).
What Rule No. 16 says
Golden State Water's Rule No. 16, "Service Connections, Meters, and Customer's Facilities", includes these points:
- The utility will "furnish and install the service pipe, curb stop, meter and meter box" in typical urban situations, and those items are the property of the utility.
- The customer must furnish and lay the piping from the service connection to the place of consumption and "keep such piping in good repair."
- The customer must provide a main valve on their piping as close as practical to the meter box.
- The connection from the meter to the customer's piping is made by the utility, with some exceptions described in the rule.
- The customer can be held responsible for damage to the utility's service pipe, curb stop, meter or meter box.
Quotes are from the version of Rule No. 16 we reviewed on the Golden State Water website. Tariff rules change; always check the current version or ask the utility.
What this means in practice
| Where the problem appears | Who to contact first |
|---|---|
| In the street, sidewalk area or water main | Golden State Water Company |
| At or inside the meter box, or at the meter itself | Golden State Water Company |
| Between the meter and the house, on your property | Typically a private provider hired by the property owner |
| Not sure | Ask the utility to check its side, and describe the signs to a provider |
Reach the utility through its contact page. Responsibility can depend on a property's specific layout and history, so the utility has the final word on its side of the connection.
Renters and multi-unit properties
If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager. The property owner usually decides how customer-side piping is repaired.
Next steps
If the leak looks to be on your side of the meter, read about leak detection, water service line repair and replacement.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. An on-site assessment by a qualified provider is the only way to know what's happening with a specific line. Gardena Water Line Pros is a referral service, not a plumbing contractor.
Related guides
Leak on your side of the meter?
Call to be connected with an independent provider, when available.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.