Guides

Underground incoming pipe leak in a landed house: signs, responsibility and repair options

Updated October 2026 · PipeFixMalaysia

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In short

If your meter keeps moving with every tap closed and the tank full, water is escaping somewhere, often on the buried pipe between the meter and the house. Air Selangor is responsible up to the meter; pipes after it are the owner's. A plumber can locate the leak with detection equipment or reroute a new pipe above ground.

Signs of an underground leak

The water meter keeps turning when every tap, the WC and the water heater are off and the roof tank has stopped filling. Our meter test guide shows how to check.
A wet patch, soft ground, moss or a spot that never dries along the path from the meter to the house, or water seeping from cracks in the porch.
A water bill that jumps with no change in how your household uses water. The Air Selangor app lets you compare monthly usage.
Lower pressure than usual, or the tank taking longer to fill.

Before the meter or after the meter?

Air Selangor supplies water up to the meter. A leak on the supply side, or at the meter itself, should be reported to Air Selangor through its app or customer service. Pipes after the meter, including the buried line into the house, are the owner's responsibility, so the repair is arranged with a plumber. If you are unsure where the leak is, report it and ask for an inspection first.

Find the leak or reroute the pipe

Leak detection: a pressure test isolates sections of pipe to confirm which one is losing water. Acoustic listening equipment picks up the sound of escaping water through soil and concrete, and thermal imaging can show cool, damp areas. Results depend on pipe material, depth and background noise. See our concealed leak detection service.
Rerouting: instead of digging, the old buried line is cut off and a new pipe is run from the meter to the house along a wall or fence, usually clipped in place. It is often quicker and avoids hacking, but the pipe stays visible and should be protected from sun and knocks.

When the leak is under a porch or driveway

Expect a small, targeted opening once the spot is located, not a full dig. The plumber should agree the size of the opening with you first.
Concrete, tiles or interlocking pavers will need to be reinstated. Matching old tiles is not always possible, so ask how this is handled.
If the leak point cannot be confirmed, rerouting may be cheaper than opening several areas.

Costs vary with access, pipe length and finishes, so ask for a written quote that lists detection, repair and reinstatement separately.

Questions people ask us

Who pays for an underground leak in my compound?

Air Selangor is responsible for supply up to the meter. A leak on the pipe after the meter, including the buried line inside your compound, is the owner's responsibility to repair.

Is rerouting the pipe better than finding the leak?

Not always. Rerouting avoids digging and is useful when the leak is hard to pinpoint or under a finished driveway, but the new pipe is visible. Detection and a local repair keep the original layout.

Can I get a rebate for the water lost?

Contact Air Selangor with your account details and repair records and ask whether any adjustment applies to your case. Keep the plumber's invoice and photos of the repair.