A popular lodging destination close to Niagara Falls, the city of Williamsville, New York, is concerned about the cost of fixing plumbing leaks during a busy tourist season. Faced with a possibly large financial hardship, the city could use the benefits of accurate leak detection. The city has already taken great steps to encourage water conservation to limit costs as well, according to a local study.
According to The Buffalo News, residents will bear the brunt of these repair costs. The city's provisions indicate that if the leaky pipes are located "at any point between the water main and the water meter," the homeowners themselves are responsible for the repairs. This is especially troubling for those worried about a high water bill. Because some of these water mains are located near the end of a street, some citizens have had to dig up the majority of their yards along the roadways to repair the leaking pipes, sometimes costing thousands of dollars.
A proposed new law set for vote next month would limit costs by keeping the residents responsible for repairs from their meter to the valve shutoff, usually located within a few feet of a curb or sidewalk. The proposed law in conjunction with the Erie County Water Authority would ease tensions on homeowners already struggling with rising costs during a recession.
