Leak Detection in Warrington, PA

The 2019 handover: what changed when North Wales Water took over

Warrington Township used to run its own water system. On October 1, 2019, North Wales Water Authority took it over, and sewer moved to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority in November 2019. If your leak questions involve a bill from before then, the township still handles those old accounts.

The township’s water and sewer contacts notice lists North Wales Water Authority at 267-482-6940 for water and BCWSA at 215-343-3946 for sewer. It says to call the township at 215-343-1800 about water bills before October 1, 2019 or sewer bills before November 14, 2019.

North Wales Water’s Warrington page says rates had reached $7.16 per thousand gallons before the takeover, partly because of township surcharges. It says it dropped the surcharges and cut the rate about in half, to $3.60 per thousand gallons, and credited $364.90 to each of 7,571 accounts that were active before the change.

About 97 percent of North Wales Water’s supply comes from the Forest Park Water Treatment Plant in Chalfont, with wells for backup, according to the same page. Several old township wells are being fitted with filtration so they can serve as emergency supplies.

PFAS and the old township wells

North Wales says several township wells were contaminated with PFAS before it took over, allegedly from firefighting foam at a former military facility near Route 611 and County Line Road. Those wells were shut down and stay closed until filtration is installed and testing confirms compliance. Its PFAS FAQ says it has tested the Warrington wells since June 2020.

PFAS is a drinking water quality issue. It does not cause leaks or damage household pipes. If you have questions about your water, call North Wales Water; if water is escaping somewhere, that is a leak detection job.

Leak detection services that fit Warrington homes

Given Warrington’s newer housing, these services fit best: hidden wall and ceiling leaks, shower and tub leaks, service lines, irrigation and high bill investigations.

• Hidden wall and ceiling leak detection for finished basements and second floor bathrooms.
• Shower pan, tub and toilet leak detection with flood and dye testing.
• Water service line leak detection for the customer-owned line from the curb.
• Irrigation and outdoor line leak detection zone by zone.
• High water bill leak investigation with a report for your leak adjustment request.

Who owns the service line, and how North Wales Water handles a high bill

North Wales Water says the service line from the curb to your house is on your property and owned by you. It also has a leak adjustment policy: if a qualifying leak is found and repaired, you may be eligible for a bill adjustment.

The Water Service Maintenance Program page says the pipe from the curb to the house is yours, and without the program you pay to repair leaks or breaks in it. The program covers damage from the curb stop to within three feet of the outside wall for $10 a year for homes. It does not cover frozen lines, and homes with meter pits are not eligible.

Its leak detection and adjustment page says customers may be eligible for an adjustment after a qualifying leak is repaired, with the details in a separate policy document. It also says that if you still hear running water after closing the main shutoff, the outside line may be leaking and you should call 215-699-4836.

Steps after a high North Wales Water bill

1. Check for the common causes: toilets, spigots, softener, pool fill, irrigation.
2. Read the meter overnight with nothing running.
3. If it moved, book leak detection and get a written report.
4. Have the leak repaired and keep the plumber’s invoice.
5. Ask North Wales Water about its leak adjustment policy and send your documents.
6. Check your bill for a Water Service Maintenance Program line if the leak was in the service line.

See our guides to high water bills and leak credits in Pennsylvania and who owns the service line.

Is the $10 service line program worth it?

For most single family homes without a meter pit, the North Wales program is cheap protection against a costly repair. It costs $10 a year and covers service line damage from the curb stop to within three feet of the house. Read the exclusions first: frozen lines are not covered.

The figures below all come from the program page. Residential customers pay $10 a year, billed as $2.50 a quarter or $0.83 a month. Small commercial connections pay $18 a year and larger ones pay $30.

The last three feet next to the foundation, and the line inside the house, stay your responsibility either way. Leak detection still matters with the program, because someone has to show where the leak is and whether it falls inside the covered stretch.

Warrington communities, ZIP codes and local notes

Warrington Township uses ZIP codes 18976 and 18914 and grew from four early villages. Route 611 and Street Road are the main reference points.

The township history says Warrington was founded in October 1734. Its early villages were Warrington, Neshaminy (once Warrington Square), Tradesville (once Stuckert’s Corner) and Pleasantville (also called Eureka). Frog Hollow and Palomino Farms are other named areas.

Little Neshaminy Creek, Mill Creek and Park Creek run through the township, and Central Bucks High School South is one of its best known landmarks.

Gas leak safety in Warrington

If you smell gas, leave the house, then call 911 or PECO at 800-841-4141 from outside. Do not use switches or phones inside.

Customer-side leaks and failed pressure tests during remodels are covered by gas line leak detection after the utility has made the home safe.

Leak Detection Services in Warrington, PA

Every leak detection service below is available in Warrington, 24 hours a day. Each link explains the testing method, what goes in the written report and the repair options; the sections above cover what is different about Warrington. See the full services list for a side by side overview.

Frequently Asked Questions