How Much Does It Cost to Hook Up City Water?

How much does it cost to hook up city water, and is the switch worth it if you currently have a well? Well. The conversion process isn't cheap. You'll need to have water lines professionally installed and connected to the main water line. The job also requires permits that can add up.

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The benefits of switching from well water to city water are that you don't have to worry about handling all the maintenance yourself and you get a clean source of water that's tested regularly. If you're building a new home, connecting the lot to city water is a necessary part of the construction process. Learn about the process and costs of water line installation to connect your home to city water.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Water Line to a House?

According to HomeGuide, the average cost of water line installation can vary significantly from $25 to $200 (CAD 35 to CAD 282) per linear foot, which includes the labor and materials. Your total cost depends largely on how far your home is from the main public line, which usually runs along the road or sidewalk. If your home is close to the road, you'll need a shorter water line, so your costs will be lower. You can save money on the installation by planning the hookups strategically to create a shorter distance between the main line and your home's hookup location.

What Is the Process of Connecting to City Water?

The first step to connecting to city water is determining if your home qualifies for the connection. Your local zoning and planning department can check your eligibility to connect to city water. If you live in a rural area, city water mains might not be available to your home. Some smaller towns don't have municipal water. However, they might eventually add those lines, giving you the opportunity to connect your home to them.

Next, you need to get the proper permits for the work. Your contractor should take care of the permit application process on your behalf. It requires an application, which may require you to submit the plans for the project. You'll also have to pay the associated permit fees, which vary by your location.

Getting your permit approved means you can start the process. Your contractor will dig a trench for the water line that will connect your house to the water main. They'll lay the pipes in that trench and handle the connections at both ends. The process also involves installing a water meter so the city can bill you for the amount of water you use. Once everything is connected, the trench gets backfilled.

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How Much Does It Cost to Hook Up City Water?

You can expect the cost of hooking up to city water to range between $1,000 and $6,000 (CAD 1,409 and CAD 8,455) or more. However, the specific cost may vary based on where you live. Some municipalities include a water meter with the installation costs and fees. Others charge for the meter separately, which could cost between $300 and $800 (CAD 423 and CAD 1,127) for the meter. You might also have additional connection fees.

If you're building a new home on a lot that doesn't have utility connections, you may be able to save some money by using one trench for multiple utilities. A joint trench allows any combination of water, sewer, communications, electric and gas lines to share the space, which could reduce the labor costs by cutting down on how much trenching needs to be done. You'll need to check on local building codes to determine if this is an option and what needs to be done to ensure it complies with the codes.

Is It Worth the Cost to Connect to City Water?

There are pros and cons of connecting to city water. If you're building a new home on an empty lot in a city, you may be required to connect to city water. In rural areas, a well is often an option. Going with a well means you don't get a monthly water bill.

For an established home that currently has well water, switching to city water offers a more predictable source of water that meets local regulations. You'll have less maintenance to do, but you'll pay for the service with your monthly water bill. There's also the possibility of contamination or issues like water main breaks that are outside your control.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.