BALTIMORE, MD — In three months, 11,820 Baltimore City residents have signed contracts for private water and sewer line service contracts offered by HomeServe, with 122 repairs already having been made. Though the program has been available for purchase since the end of August, repairs have been available only since late September because of a 30-day exclusionary period.

The response is well ahead of that anticipated by HomeServe USA, a Connecticut-based company selected this spring following a nationwide request for proposals by the City of Baltimore for a company that could offer private service line protection programs.

“The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is repairing and replacing miles and miles of water and sewer mains each year because these critical systems simply break down after many decades of use,” said DPW Director Rudy S. Chow, P.E. “The lines that carry water into each house, and sewage away from the house, are subject to the same failures. The importance of this optional, affordable service protection program has been proven to more than 100 of our residents who have already had repairs covered by it.”

HomeServe reports that the repairs have a value of about $140,000, meaning the average repair cost $1,150.

“The rate of repairs performed for Baltimore homeowners has been high and we’re pleased to have saved them more than $100,000 already,” said Tom Rusin, CEO of HomeServe USA. “As the winter weather approaches, we encourage area residents to investigate whether these protection plans may make sense for them.”

A committee representing several Baltimore City offices and agencies, including the Department of Public Works, began two years ago exploring ways to allow owners of private residences to protect themselves against costly repairs of broken or damaged water and sewer service lines on private property. By Code, the City does not have responsibility for the lines on private property, and most homeowners’ insurance plans do not cover repairs to these exterior, underground lines. Homeowners are encouraged to check with their insurance companies and explore their options when deciding whether they should buy a private service line protection plan.

HomeServe is making coverage of water and sewer service lines available for an introductory price of $5.99 per month for the first year of the program. After that the cost will revert to the regular price, currently $8.49 per month. The company has a two-year contract with Baltimore, and three one-year renewal options after that.

Homeowners may visit www.BaltimoreServiceRepairs.com for more information.
Low-income homeowners who meet certain income and household size standards may be able to get an emergency repair paid for by HomeServe, even if they cannot afford the coverage plan. Any resident with a broken water line or blocked sewer line should call 311 so DPW crews can investigate.