Reserves for Water Main

Started by RhondaO • 2 replies • 1239 views

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RhondaO (Colorado)
Posts: 1

Posted:

While reviewing our reserve I noticed a large amount of money being set aside for 'water main repairs' and found out that our HOA never deeded the Water Main back to the city and we are responsible for it's upkeep/repairs etc.

To complicate matters further, over 10 years ago our HOA sold the land that the water main crosses to another HOA who build additional units on the land and share the water main with us. Supposedly we have an unformal agreement that they share responsibility for it should something happen.

My thinking is that we need to meet with the other HOA and get a format agreement - anyone else have any expertise on water main liability or working with other HOA's on shared responsibility of water main's etc.?

Also, how would you determine an amount to set aside in reserves for potential water main leaks?

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

We have 12 mains in our sub. We never touched them for over 50 years, then began a one-per-year- program, allowing for up to $20,000 per main. But we increased the pipe diameter in some of them.

That's one of those things that you can't plan for, it works or is broken. Your additional users have no impact on it's hardware, but the water pressure could be affected by the additional draw.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Rhonda,

Definitely get a written agreement with the other HOA. I would suggest consulting an attorney to draft up the agreement and provide any other pertinent advice on this issue.

Perhaps the city wouldn't agree to maintaining the water main. Afterall, why should they if there is an HOA in place that can do so?

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