Does anyone know of any Texas Rule/regulation that prohibits the water company (MUD) from installing a water line that runs directly through my property.
I have a property that has our neighbor’s water line that runs directly through our land.
I believe that there is some rule out there that should have them run water lines through the property easement, but unable to find the specific rule.
The MUD company states that we are responsible for any damage to the line. They refuse to install a new line that will run through our neighbor’s property instead.
Please, someone help.
You should probably check with your municipality on this one. May vary from area to area.
I thought you would only be responsible if there was an issue on your side of the line? But if you want to move the line or do damage it from digging you would be responsible. Lots of utility companies have underground lines and I don’t see how this one is any different. When I wanted to have my water meter moved from the middle of my driveway, where it was originally installed before I bought the property, I had to pay to have the line and meter moved.
MUDs can really different as they are usually small and tend to have alot of leeway in how they act regardless of any rules/regulations. In a recent rehab we had the new owner switch the water over the her name and the MUD instead of switching came out and removed the water meter! When she called to complain they realized the mistake and came out the next day to put it back. BUT the guy who took it out cut the line too short and could not get the meter back in so he wanted HER to pay for the repair! Fortunately she saw him both take out and then try to reinstall the meter and pointed out they never should have removed it in the first place! It took him hours to get the line fixed and meter installed correctly. Keep an eye on them and don’t be afraid to move things up to the next level if you can. Squeaky wheel.
This is just a generalized answer and applies to most states that I’ve lived in, and that number is now 13 states.
Utilities (includes water & communications) must be run through easements and rights of way. Typically in subdivisions water easements run through the front yards and can extend into your property as far as 15 feet. I’m sure some cities have grabbed more.
As long as they are within that easement you can’t stop them. But, they must return your property back to the original condition. You’ll have to stay on them to repair your property.
I had my neighbors cable company barry his cable through the middle of my back yard on the way to the cable terminal box on the other side of my yard. While they were doing it they cut my phone line. So I had to bring the phone company out and they had to lay and barry my phone line from the house to the terminal phone box on the other side of my yard. So the phone company cut my neighbors cable line that was not suppose to be running through the middle of my property. Then the cable company came back because my neighbor lost his cable signal and did the same thing again. This went on for several months until I caught the cable company laying the cable back across the middle of my property again. I had to let him have it because one more cut and the phone company was going to charge me several hundred dollars to relay the phone line again.
So watch them like a hawk.
One burr that makes me mad is that cities see easements and right of ways as city property and it is not. I’ve had to face down my city code inspector and my electric company a couple of times. They finally realized I was right. I’m sure it was after they talked to their lawyers.
I think they allows it. They only need you to show on how will it be installed on your property and what is the purposes of it.
Thanks a lot friends for sharing these useful information i really appreciate it…