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Leak Detection in Elizabethtown, PA
Elizabethtown water is billed once a quarter, which means a hidden leak can run for up to three months before the bill tells you. At the Authority’s first-tier rate of $9.756 per 1,000 gallons, that adds up quickly. A local technician finds the leak, marks it, and gives you a report for your plumber.
- Service line, slab and hidden leaks on Elizabethtown Area Water Authority service
- Meter testing that catches leaks between quarterly bills
- Written findings for your plumber, insurer or EAWA
Calls answered day and night. Emergency? Shut off your main valve first, then call.
Quick answer
Who is responsible for a leaking water line at my Elizabethtown home?
The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority owns the water mains in the street. The homeowner owns and is responsible for the service line that runs from the main to the house, and repairs may need coordination with EAWA. A leak detection technician pinpoints the leak first so your plumber opens only one spot.
17022ZIP code for Elizabethtown Borough
$9.756per 1,000 gallons, EAWA first-tier quarterly rate in 2026
1964median year Elizabethtown homes were built (ACS 2019 to 2023)
7deep wells supply about 75% of EAWA’s water
The quarterly bill problem: why Elizabethtown leaks hide so long
EAWA bills water quarterly, so a leak that starts the week after a meter read can run about three months before you see it. At $9.756 per 1,000 gallons for the first 75,000 gallons a quarter, even a running toilet can add well over $100 to one bill. Checking your meter yourself is the fastest early warning.
The Authority’s rate page sets 2026 charges under Resolution 2026-4: a quarterly base charge of $27.00 for a 5/8 or 3/4 inch meter, then $9.756 per 1,000 gallons for the first 75,000 gallons, $6.050 for the next 75,000, and $4.740 above that. The base charge includes no water, and usage is billed in 1,000-gallon steps.
A monthly bill shows a problem within weeks. A quarterly bill bundles three months of loss into one statement. That is why so many Elizabethtown calls start with a homeowner holding a bill several times the usual amount.
| Leak rate | Gallons per quarter (90 days) | Added water charge at EAWA rates |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 gal/min, dripping fixture | 12,960 | about $127 |
| 0.25 gal/min, running toilet | 32,400 | about $312 |
| 1.5 gal/min, cracked service line | 194,400 | about $1,394 |
Arithmetic: 0.1 gal/min x 1,440 x 90 = 12,960 gal, billed as 13,000 x $9.756 = $126.83. 0.25 gal/min = 32,400 gal, billed as 32,000 x $9.756 = $312.19. 1.5 gal/min = 194,400 gal, billed as 194,000: 75 x $9.756 + 75 x $6.050 + 44 x $4.740 = $731.70 + $453.75 + $208.56 = $1,394.01. Water only, on top of the $27 base charge.
Help is coming: smart meters with leak alerts
EAWA is replacing its positive displacement meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure. Its meter upgrade page says the new system will let the Authority alert customers to sudden jumps in use that may signal a leak, before big water and sewer bills build up. Kentrel Inc. schedules the installs, which take about 20 to 30 minutes.
Until your new meter is in and the alerts are working, read the meter yourself once a month. It takes two minutes and turns a three-month surprise into a one-month one.
Why homes in Elizabethtown leak
Elizabethtown’s housing has a median build year of 1964, with about a quarter of homes from before 1940 and a big 1950s wave. That mix means galvanized pipe in the older core, original copper and cast iron in postwar homes, and plastic fittings in the newest builds.
Census figures compiled by Point2Homes from the 2019 to 2023 American Community Survey count about 4,700 housing units. Detached houses make up 42.5 percent and attached homes 21 percent, with a sizable share of apartment buildings. The 24 percent built before 1940 is close to the Pennsylvania average.
| When the house was built | Share of Elizabethtown units | What usually leaks |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 or earlier | 24% | Galvanized supply, older service lines, cast iron drains in the borough’s older blocks |
| 1940 to 1959 | 23% | Galvanized and early copper, threaded fittings, basement drain lines |
| 1960 to 1979 | 22.5% | Soldered copper, slab and basement plumbing, original fixtures |
| 1980 to 1999 | 20.4% | Copper pinholes, shower pans, toilet supplies |
| 2000 and later | 10% | PEX fittings, appliance and ice maker lines |
Water source plays a part in what you see at the tap but not usually in why pipes fail. According to the EAWA FAQ, about 75 percent of the water comes from seven deep wells treated at the well sites, and about 25 percent is surface water from Back Run, supplemented by Conewago Creek and the Cornwall Quarry, treated at the plant on West Hummelstown Street.
Signs of a hidden leak in an Elizabethtown home
A quarterly bill far above the last one is the most common sign. Others include a meter that moves with every tap closed, a damp line on the basement wall where the service line enters, a warm patch on a slab floor, and a strip of yard that stays green or soft.
Bill and meter
- Quarterly bill well above the same quarter last year
- Meter moves with all fixtures off
- A call or email from EAWA about high usage
Basement and inside
- Damp wall where the service line enters
- Warm spot on a slab or tile floor
- Ceiling stain under a bathroom
Yard and curb
- Soft or green strip over the service line
- Damp sidewalk on a dry day
- Water in the curb box
Outdoor and pool
- Pool losing more than evaporation
- Wet ground near a spigot or irrigation head
- Hose bib that drips after a freeze
EAWA’s home page notes it may contact customers when high usage suggests a meter problem or possible leak, so keep your phone and email current with the office. The EPA’s WaterSense program adds that a toilet with color in the bowl within 10 minutes of a dye test is leaking.
Leak detection services for Elizabethtown homes and buildings
Common Elizabethtown jobs are service line tracing, high bill investigations, slab and basement floor leaks in postwar homes, and leaks inside apartment and senior living buildings. Each starts with non-invasive testing so the only opening is the one needed for the fix.
High water bill leak investigation. The most useful first call after a big quarterly bill: meter tests, fixture checks, pressure testing and a written report.
Water service line leak detection. Because the homeowner owns the line from the main to the house, a leak anywhere on that run is your repair. Tracing and acoustic or tracer gas pinpointing keep the dig small.
Slab leak detection. Homes from the 1950s through the 1980s often have supply lines under a basement slab. Branch pressure tests and acoustic listening find the leak through the concrete.
Commercial and multifamily leak detection. About 12.6 percent of units are in 5 to 9 unit buildings and 7.5 percent in buildings of 50 or more. Shared risers and tenant units need careful tracing.
Frozen and burst pipe leak detection. After a cold snap, a survey finds every split, including ones not leaking yet.
How a leak detection visit works in Elizabethtown
A technician confirms the leak at your meter, uses your house valve to separate service line from interior plumbing, narrows the search with pressure and thermal tests, then pinpoints and marks it. You get a written report your plumber and EAWA can both read.
1
Call
Tell us about the bill, sound, stain or wet spot. We connect you with an independent local technician.
2
Meter test
Readings with fixtures off, then with the house valve closed, show outside versus inside.
3
Narrow
Branch pressure tests, thermal imaging and moisture readings shrink the area.
4
Pinpoint
Acoustic listening, line tracing or tracer gas find the leak, which is marked on the surface.
What the written report covers
- Meter readings, times and isolation results
- Location of the leak: service line, slab, wall or fixture
- Photos and thermal images
- Pipe material seen where the line enters the house
- A repair recommendation for plumber quotes
Price is quoted on the phone. Pennsylvania Leak Detection is a referral service, and the technician is an independent local professional.
Who owns the service line on EAWA water, and what to do about a high bill
EAWA owns the water mains in the street. You own the service line that connects your home to the main, and you are responsible for it. Repairs or replacement may require coordinating with the Authority, so call EAWA at 717-367-7448 before digging near the street.
That split comes from EAWA’s water service line information page. EAWA serves Elizabethtown, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township from its office at 211 W. Hummelstown Street.
| Item | Who is responsible | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Water main in the street | EAWA | 717-367-7448; 717-286-6475 after hours for main breaks |
| Service line from main to house | Homeowner | Leak detection, then your plumber; coordinate with EAWA |
| Plumbing inside the house | Homeowner | Your plumber |
| Sewer main in the street | Borough Wastewater Department | 717-367-1700; police 717-367-1835 after hours |
| Sewer bill | Borough of Elizabethtown | Quarterly, flat per residential unit |
Good news on sewer: a water leak does not raise it
The Borough bills residential sewer at a flat $132.00 per unit per quarter in 2026, according to its sewer and trash billing page. Commercial accounts pay by the gallon. So for most homeowners, a leak shows up on the EAWA water bill only. The Borough also states that it does not give credits for services not used.
Steps after a high quarterly bill
- Compare it with the same quarter last year to rule out seasonal watering or a filled pool.
- Read the meter, use no water for two hours, and read it again.
- If it moved, close the house valve. Still moving means the service line.
- Dye-test every toilet.
- Call EAWA at 717-367-7448 about the bill, then book leak detection and keep the repair receipts.
We did not find a published EAWA leak adjustment policy. For how other utilities handle credits, see high water bills in Pennsylvania, and for line ownership statewide, who owns the water service line.
Lead and galvanized lines: the EAWA service line inventory
EAWA is asking every customer to confirm the material of their service line through an online survey, as required by EPA and PA DEP rules. You can check by looking at the pipe where it enters the house before the meter, usually in the basement or crawl space.
The Authority’s inventory page gives a quick guide. Lead is soft, silvery gray, scratches easily and a magnet will not stick. Galvanized steel is gray, hard to scratch and magnetic. Copper scratches to a shiny orange. Plastic does not ring when tapped. EAWA says a lead line should be replaced and asks you to contact the Authority first to verify.
EAWA reports its most recent lead sampling result as 0 parts per billion. The page does not say who pays for replacing a customer-owned line, so ask the office before you hire anyone.
During a leak detection visit, the technician notes the pipe material at the entry point, which you can use when you fill out the survey.
Boil water advisories and main work in Elizabethtown
EAWA says boil water advisories usually happen in fall and winter, when crews must fully shut off a section to fix a leak and pressure drops to zero. After any advisory or shutoff, check your own plumbing for new drips, because pressure changes can expose weak fittings.
The Authority’s boil water advisory page explains that a loss of positive pressure triggers an advisory for the affected area. You can sign up for its emergency notification system online.
Main replacement is ongoing. EAWA closed a $20,000,000 low-interest PENNVEST loan in March 2025 to fund water main replacement, according to its meter project page. Report a main break to 717-286-6475 after hours and on weekends.
Pennsylvania frost runs about 24 to 42 inches deep, per Penn State’s soil freeze depth guide. Shallow service lines, pipes along outside walls and lines in crawl spaces freeze first. See our guide on preventing frozen pipes.
Elizabethtown neighborhoods, roads and local notes
Elizabethtown Borough uses ZIP code 17022. PA 230 runs through the center of town, PA 283 forms the northeast edge, and PA 743 and PA 241 cross the borough. Conoy Creek is the main stream draining the borough toward the Susquehanna at Bainbridge.
Facts in this section come from the borough overview on Wikipedia, which dates the town’s layout to 1753 and borough status to 1827.
| Area or landmark | What a technician checks first |
|---|---|
| Downtown along PA 230 | Older homes and storefront apartments; galvanized supply and cast iron drains |
| Around Elizabethtown College (founded 1899) | Rentals and older houses; fixture leaks and service lines under walks |
| Near Masonic Village (est. 1910) | Larger campus buildings; shared lines and risers |
| Along Conoy Creek | Basements with damp walls; separate groundwater from a supply leak |
| Newer streets toward PA 283 | Postwar and later homes; slab lines, shower pans, PEX |
| Near the Amtrak station | Mixed older housing; check service line age |
Mount Joy and West Donegal townships are also on EAWA water. For towns around Elizabethtown, see our Lancaster, Harrisburg and York region page.
Ground and sinkhole notes for the Elizabethtown area
Lancaster County has areas of limestone where water can dissolve rock and open voids, and PA DEP lists leaking water and sewer pipes as a human cause of sinkholes. If you see a sunken spot over your service line, have the line tested before filling it.
DCNR says karst is common where limestone and dolostone underlie the ground, including southcentral Pennsylvania, and recommends checking whether your property is in a limestone area. The PA DEP sinkhole page explains that a leaking pipe concentrates water in one spot and can wash soil into openings in the rock.
We have not found a record of a major leak-caused sinkhole in Elizabethtown itself, so treat this as a precaution, not a warning. Our guide to sinkholes and water leaks explains what to look for.
Gas leak safety in Elizabethtown
If you smell or hear gas, leave the building right away, get well clear, and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Do not use switches, phones or a car near the smell. Your gas company’s emergency number is printed on your bill.
If your gas utility is UGI, its safety page lists 800-276-2722 and advises getting at least a football field’s length away before calling. Once the utility makes the area safe, customer-side lines can be tested through our gas line leak detection service.
Before digging to reach a service line, notify PA One Call by dialing 811 at least three business days ahead.
Quick checks before you call
Read your meter, wait two hours with no water use, and read it again. Dye-test the toilets. Look where the service line enters the house. These ten minutes tell the technician where to start.
- Turn everything off and note the meter reading.
- Wait two hours and read it again.
- Put food coloring in each toilet tank and check the bowl after 10 minutes.
- Check under sinks, behind the washer and around the water heater.
Then call (833) 768-3032, any hour, or visit the Pennsylvania Leak Detection homepage. National figures from This Old House put leak detection at about $150 to $600; your technician quotes on the phone.
Leak Detection Services in Elizabethtown, PA
Every leak detection service below is available in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown. See the full services list for a side by side overview.
Slab Leak Detection
Leaks under basement floors and slab additions, pinpointed through the concrete.
Water Service Line Leak Detection
The line from the curb stop or main to your house, traced and pinpointed.
Hidden Wall and Ceiling Leak Detection
Leaks behind plaster, drywall and finished basements, found without demolition.
Frozen and Burst Pipe Leak Detection
Every freeze crack found after a cold snap, including the ones not dripping yet.
Pool and Hot Tub Leak Detection
Lines, skimmers, returns, lights and shells tested so every leak point is found.
Gas Line Leak Detection
Customer-side gas leaks and failed pressure tests located for repair.
Sewer Lateral and Drain Leak Detection
Camera, sonde, smoke and flood testing for cracked laterals and drains.
Shower Pan, Tub and Toilet Leak Detection
Flood and dye testing so the right fixture gets fixed.
Irrigation and Outdoor Line Leak Detection
Zone by zone testing of sprinklers, yard hydrants and outdoor lines.
High Water Bill Leak Investigation
Meter, pressure and fixture testing plus a report for your utility.
Commercial and Multifamily Leak Detection
Risers, shared lines and tenant units traced to the source.
24/7 Emergency Leak Detection
Water through a ceiling or a meter spinning hard, answered any hour.
Other Areas We Cover Near Elizabethtown
See every town we cover in the Lancaster, Harrisburg and York Region, or browse all Pennsylvania service areas.
Guides worth reading before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the water service line in Elizabethtown?
The homeowner. EAWA owns the mains in the street, and customers own and are responsible for the service line connecting the home to the main.
How often does EAWA bill for water?
Quarterly. Every customer is billed for all water used each quarter, which is why a leak can run for months before it shows up.
What are EAWA’s 2026 water rates?
A $27.00 quarterly base charge for a 5/8 or 3/4 inch meter, then $9.756 per 1,000 gallons for the first 75,000 gallons, $6.050 for the next 75,000 and $4.740 above that.
Does a water leak raise my Elizabethtown sewer bill?
Not for most homes. Borough residential sewer is a flat $132.00 per unit per quarter in 2026. Commercial sewer is charged by the gallon.
Does EAWA offer a leak credit?
We did not find a published leak adjustment policy. Call EAWA at 717-367-7448 after the repair and keep the leak detection report and plumber’s receipt.
Who do I call for a water main break in Elizabethtown?
EAWA at 717-367-7448 during office hours, or 717-286-6475 after hours and on weekends.
Where does Elizabethtown’s water come from?
About 75 percent from seven deep wells and about 25 percent from surface water at Back Run, supplemented by Conewago Creek and the Cornwall Quarry, per EAWA.
Will my new EAWA meter warn me about leaks?
That is the plan. EAWA says the AMI meters will let it alert customers to sudden spikes in use that may indicate a leak.
How do I tell if my service line is lead?
Look where it enters the house. Lead is soft, silvery gray and not magnetic. Report it through EAWA’s survey and contact the Authority to verify.
Who handles a sewer backup in Elizabethtown?
Call the Borough wastewater plant at 717-367-1700 during business hours, or the police at 717-367-1835 after hours. Problems in the main are fixed by the Borough.
What does leak detection cost in Elizabethtown?
Nationally, about $150 to $600 for detection alone. Your local technician quotes on the phone.
Hearing Water You Cannot See? Call Now.
A rising water bill, a wet basement wall or a soggy strip of lawn will not fix itself. Call any hour and we will help you find the leak, prove it and keep the repair as small as possible.
Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sources
- Elizabethtown Area Water Authority: Home
- EAWA: Rates
- EAWA: FAQs
- EAWA: Water service line information and survey
- EAWA: Meter upgrade project
- EAWA: Boil water advisory
- Borough of Elizabethtown: Sewer and trash billing
- Borough of Elizabethtown: Sewer backups
- Borough of Elizabethtown: Departments
- Point2Homes: Elizabethtown, PA demographics (ACS 2019 to 2023)
- Wikipedia: Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
- EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week
- This Old House: Slab leak repair cost
- Penn State PHRC: Soil freeze depth guide
- PA DEP: What causes a sinkhole
- PA DCNR: Sinkholes
- UGI: Natural gas safety
- PA PUC: PA One Call
- Pennsylvania Realtors: Housing stock aging
Pennsylvania Leak Detection is a leak detection referral service. Calls connect you with an independent local leak detection professional. Figures and utility policies were checked in October 2026 and can change; confirm with your utility.