What is an easement?

An easement is a legal right to use a portion of your property for a specific purpose. For water service, it allows the utility to install, operate, and maintain water infrastructure on your property.

What does an easement allow?

An easement gives the utility the right to:

• Install water mains and service connections
• Operate the facilities
• Maintain and repair infrastructure
• Access the easement area for inspections

When are easements required?

As a condition of providing water service, the utility may require you to provide an easement on your property for the construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities the utility determines are necessary.

Utility’s easement requirements

• The utility’s title to the easement must be superior to all other recorded interests in the parcel
• The utility will not construct new facilities except within public street rights-of-way, permitted corridors, or easements the utility can obtain by grant, purchase, or condemnation
• The utility determines whether the easement terms are economically feasible

What happens to easements when property is sold?

Easements remain with the property and transfer to new owners.

Tariff Reference: Section W-022-D