Frozen water line in Bismarck, ND: who pays to thaw it?

North Dakota · Last checked November 2026

Key facts

Covered

Restoring water from the main to the meter after extensive frost.

How

Hire a contractor; the city reviews the bill and reimburses necessary work.

Who

Properties paying the monthly Service Line Repair Fund fee.

Not covered

Damage from the frozen line, or owner or third-party negligence.

How it works

When frost goes deep, the buried water line between the street main and the house can freeze. Most cities split the line at the curb stop: the city handles the street side and the owner pays for the private side. Some thaw the whole line for a flat fee or the first time free, and some credit customers they ask to keep water running.

1. Check other taps and ask neighbors. If the whole street is out, it is a main break, not your line.
2. Call the water utility first. Many will find where the freeze is before you hire anyone.
3. Ask whether the city thaws lines, what it charges, and whether the first thaw is free.
4. If you hire a plumber, tell the city first. Some only share costs when they were notified.
5. Once thawed, run a pencil-thin stream of cold water if the utility asks, and ask about a bill credit.

What it costs

City thaw fees run from free to about $150 during business hours, with after-hours work billed at labor rates. A private plumber or thawing contractor often charges several hundred dollars, and digging up a line costs far more.

Full guide: who pays to thaw a frozen water line.

Compare other cities

• Mount Vernon City thaws or credits
• Rutland City thaws or credits
• Jackson City side vs. owner side
• Lake Park Owner responsible for the whole line
• Hopkins Owner responsible for the whole line
• Grand Rapids City side vs. owner side