Who Owns the Water and Sewer Line? A Greenville County Guide

By the GVL Plumbers editorial team · Updated Oct 30, 2026 · 6 min read

Where your responsibility starts

The water line

Greenville Water's own wording: it "maintains the water line to the outlet side of the meter", and "the water line leaving the meter is the customer's service line". Meters are outside, usually in the right of way near the street.

Check for a hidden leak on your side: turn off every tap and water-using appliance, then watch the meter's dial or leak indicator for 15 minutes. If it moves, water is escaping somewhere past the meter. Our shut-off diagram shows where the house valve usually is.

The sewer line (MetroConnects areas)

MetroConnects handles sewer collection for most of unincorporated Greenville County, including Taylors, Wade Hampton, Berea and Five Forks, as well as Travelers Rest and Piedmont. Its Lateral Maintenance Policy, adopted July 17, 2023, splits each lateral in two:

• MetroConnects service lateral: from its main to the boundary of its easement or the public road right of way, or to the lateral connection, whichever comes first. MetroConnects owns and maintains it.
• Private lateral: from the house to the MetroConnects service lateral. The owner owns and maintains it. Any part within 5 feet of the house is always private, whatever else applies.
• Lateral connection: the fitting joining the two, usually installed by the plumber when the house was hooked up. The owner owns it.
• Backflow devices are never MetroConnects' responsibility, wherever they sit.

The policy is direct about cost: problems that start in the private lateral or the connection are the owner's financial responsibility. If something built in MetroConnects' right of way blocks access to its lateral, maintenance of that lateral can shift to the owner too.

Sewage backing up: the order to call

1. Stop using water in the house: no flushing, laundry or dishwasher.
2. Call MetroConnects first at (864) 277-4442. Its policy says owners should contact it first so it can check its side, and that plumbers shouldn't repair its section without its approval.
3. If MetroConnects finds its side clear, or can't tell, it may tell you to call a licensed plumber or sewer contractor. That's when you call one.
4. If the plumber finds the problem in MetroConnects' section, keep the invoice, proof of payment and photos for a reimbursement request.

MetroConnects reimbursement: what to send

If a licensed plumber or sewer contractor finds the cause in MetroConnects' service lateral, you can submit a Reimbursement Request Form, postmarked or sent online within 30 days of the repair. The policy asks for:

• Your name, phone number and mailing address, and the property address if different.
• The property owner's name if you're not the owner.
• The amount requested and the name to put on the check.
• A description of the backup.
• Copies of all invoices, with descriptions and pictures of the work.
• Proof of payment to the licensed plumber or sewer contractor.

Requests go to MetroConnects at 120 Augusta Arbor Way, Greenville, or online at metroconnects.org. MetroConnects says it aims to review them within 30 days, decides case by case, and may limit payment to a reasonable cost. Ask your plumber for camera footage that shows the location of the problem; it's the clearest evidence of whose section failed.

Other sewer providers

Marking lines before you dig

Greenville Water asks people to call 811 before digging in street right of way, public spaces or utility easements, so public lines can be marked. 811 marks the utilities' lines, not your private water service line or sewer lateral. A plumber can locate those, often with a camera and a locating transmitter for the sewer.

Buying a house? Ask these

• Who provides water and sewer at this address?
• Is there a yard cleanout, and is it capped?
• What is the sewer lateral made of, and has it been camera-inspected?
• Any history of backups, and were any reimbursed by the sewer provider?

Water and sewer line questions