Charlotte Water Cares Program

Charlotte Water has partnered with HomeServe USA to offer an optional solution to eliminate the high cost and stress of unexpected repairs to water and sewer lines.

Most customers do not know they are responsible for the water and sewer lines running to their homes. If these lines break, you could face large, unexpected home repair bills and waste time looking for a qualified plumber when you least expect it.

FAQs

Who is HomeServe?

HomeServe is an independent company separate from Charlotte Water based in Norwalk, CT. They partner with many cities, municipalities, and utility companies to protect over 4 million households across the United States and Canada from the financial impact, and inconvenience of covered home emergencies.

Why did Charlotte Water partner with HomeServe?

We often receive calls from customers about water leaks that turn out to be on a private exterior water service line. This partnership not only helps raise awareness about service line responsibility, but it also provides an affordable option from a reputable company.

Do I need a protection plan for my home's water or sewer service line?

It is up to you. Some people choose to pay for unplanned expenses out-of-pocket, while others prefer protection plans and extended warranties to avoid large unplanned expenses. We encourage homeowners to consider their individual situation and decide if the service line protection plan is a good fit for them. 

If I sign up for HomeServe, who should I contact for questions or to make a claim?

Contact HomeServe at 1-833-830-4973.

Charlotte Water strongly encourages any customers experiencing financial hardships to seek assistance with one of the two assistance programs listed below.

Our Customer Care Team can help you select the best option for your situation. To speak with the Care Team, please call 311.

Crisis Assistance

• Crisis Assistance provides assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency. Assistance is available to all Mecklenburg County residents.

• • Applications are taken only curbside at 500-A Spratt St on Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Adjustments are made on residential, commercial, multi-family, and irrigation accounts for city and private leaks. Leaks are classified as one of the following:

• Public Side Leak – The city is responsible for repair and water usage due to leaks on the yoke, tailpiece, or outlet washers.
• • Public Side Leaks will be adjusted to remove 100% excess water and 100% excess sewer usage above their average usage for all impacted bills
  • There is no limit to the number of Public Side leak adjustments a customer can receive

• Private Side Leak – Customers are responsible for repair and water usage due to leaks beyond the meter outlet
• • Private side leaks will be adjusted to remove 50% excess water,  with excess capped at Tier 2 rate, and 50% excess sewer when water is returned to the sewer system for treatment or 100% excess sewer when water is not returned to the sewer system for treatment
  • Private side leak adjustments will be made for the excess for the two highest consecutive months
  • Only one private leak adjustment is permitted per 12 month rolling period
  • The customer must provide a plumber statement and/or receipt that the leak has been repaired before an adjustment can be applied

Please note that the following causes of leaks/high usage do not qualify for a private side leak adjustment:

1. Filling pools
2. Irrigation heads
3. Sewer charges resulting from irrigation or pool fill from domestic service
4. Capping off leaking services in lieu of a repair stopping the leak