PWD Notice of Defect & the HELP loan: a homeowner’s guide

1. You own more pipe than you think

In Philadelphia the property owner, not the City, is responsible for the drain pipes from the house all the way to the public sewer. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) lists these as the owner’s wastewater plumbing:

• House main drain, which collects waste inside the house and empties into the lateral
• Curb trap, the J-shaped pipe that connects the house drain to the lateral
• Vent pipe and vent box, also called the fresh air inlet (FAI)
• Lateral, the pipe connecting the house drain to the public sewer, usually under the sidewalk and street
• Slant, also called the tap: the connection between the lateral and the sewer main
• House storm drain (in separate-sewer areas only)

PWD maintains the sewer main itself. PWD also says plainly: “A licensed plumber must do the work. PWD is not responsible for your plumbing.”

On the water side, the owner is also responsible for the water service pipe from the ferrule at the main, the curb stop, the supply pipe and valves. PWD owns the water meter, but the owner must keep it and its valves in good condition and accessible.

2. What a Notice of Defect (NOD) means

PWD says customers “who do not have fully operational lines will be served a notice of defect and are required to repair defects and come into compliance within the period stated on the defect.” In practice:

• Read the deadline on your notice. The compliance period is printed on it.
• The repair must be done by a licensed plumber with the right permits (see below).
• The NOD is what qualifies you for the HELP loan (except for lead service line replacement, which doesn’t need one).
• If you have questions about your notice, call the number on it, or PWD’s HELP line at (215) 685-4901.

3. The HELP loan: zero-interest financing from PWD

The Homeowner’s Emergency Loan Program (HELP) is an interest-free installment loan administered by PWD. It covers repair or replacement of the water service line, water supply line, curb trap, main drain and/or sewer lateral, and lead service line replacement.

Key terms

• 0% interest, as long as you pay on time
• Repaid in 60 equal monthly installments on your water bill. Under PWD regulations, owners enrolled in the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) or the Senior Citizen discount can choose 60, 120 or 180 months instead, and that choice is irrevocable. There is no penalty for paying early.
• A lien is placed on the property for the total cost of the work
• Default: if you miss two consecutive payments, the whole balance becomes due. Penalties plus a fee of 5% of the total loan amount are added to the balance and the lien.
• If another defect is found and verified during the repair, PWD can increase the loan without a new NOD
• Eligibility depends on available program funds

Who qualifies

You must meet all of these, per the City and PWD:

• You own the property (it may be tenant-occupied)
• It is residential, or primarily residential if mixed-use
• It has four or fewer units
• You have a Notice of Defect requiring repairs; or a private sewer connection needing repairs that require reversing the drainage direction to connect to a public sewer; or a confirmed lead service line you want to replace
• Any payment agreements for the property are current
• The property has an operable water meter
• You are not more than two billing cycles behind on water bills for this property or other properties you own in Philadelphia, unless covered by a current payment agreement, TAP or the senior discount
• You consent to the lien

4. How to apply

1. Submit a pre-application. Use the online form, download the paper form, or call (215) 685-4901 and leave a message for a call back, usually by the next business day. You can also email [email protected].
2. PWD contacts you within two business days to schedule an inspection.
3. PWD gives you a cost estimate and the HELP loan agreement to review.
4. If you accept, sign and schedule the repairs. PWD’s regulations require you to give “the City and/or its contractors” access to inspect and make the repairs.
5. Repay on your water bill, which shows the loan details and payments.

5. Permits for sewer lateral work

From PWD’s Sewer Connection Manual and the City’s permit pages:

• PWD Sewer Connection Permit for the lateral and the connection to the sewer, up to the curb trap. Repairing an existing lateral doesn’t need pre-permit review unless the lateral size changes, which makes it a new connection.
• L&I Plumbing Permit for on-site work up to and including the curb trap
• Streets Department footway permit for sidewalk work, issued automatically with the Plumbing Permit
• Lane-closure permits for work in the street. The plumber must also confirm the street opening and backfill with the Streets Department Highway District.
• Before digging, the contractor must call PA One Call (811)

A licensed plumber handles all of this. If a contractor offers to skip permits, find another contractor.

6. Basement backups in heavy rain: free backwater valves

This is a separate program. If water from City sewers backs up into your basement during rain, PWD’s Basement Backup Protection Program may install a backwater valve and make downspout changes at no cost. Your lateral must be in good condition first, and a HELP loan repair can include the backflow device. More on sewer backups.

7. HELP loan or your own plumber?

You have two broad paths after a Notice of Defect:

Whichever you choose, meet the deadline on your notice. If you want a private quote to compare, we can connect you with an independent licensed plumber. Request a quote