Out in the desert, water on the ground can usually be attributed to an August chubasco, and it’s typically accompanied by that distinct rain smell. But if you see water and you don’t smell creosote, there might be something going on underground. Your buried water service line can be damaged by a variety of offenders — from huge temperature swings to digging a little too deep while doing yard work. And while no one likes to have to call in a technician, Arizonans generally pay less than the average American for those service calls and any resulting repair or replacement work.

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Your exterior water service line carries water from the public water main into your home. But make no mistake: Once the pipes run under your property, they’re your responsibility — so you’re likely on the hook for any repair or replacement costs.

How deep your pipes are buried deeply impacts the price you pay for these services. Water service lines are buried as deep as local building codes require — but usually, the depth is determined by the frost line in your area. And the deeper the technician must dig to get to your broken or otherwise compromised line, the higher the cost.

The nationwide average water service line depth is 4.58 feet. In Arizona, these lines aren’t buried nearly as deep, at only 2.82 feet on average. For context, in f-f-f-freezing Minnesota, pipe depth is more than 8 feet.

Repair and replacement costs also vary depending on where you live. The national average for diagnosis is $222, for repair is $1,039 and for replacement is $3,581.

Below, you’ll find average service prices based on aggregated HomeServe data reported by our network of contractors across the state, which should give you an approximation of how much you’ll pay to fix your out-of-commission water service line.

Water Service Line Diagnosis: $190

Before any work can begin, the technician will need to come out and run some tests to see what’s wrong with your system. In Arizona, the fee for this is 14% less than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $742

A whole host of things can cause trouble with your exterior water service line — from invading tree roots to clogs to general wear and tear. Whatever’s up with your system, the repair process will likely start with excavation to expose the pipe. Depending on your situation, the technician may need to clear a blockage, find a leak or fix the pipe — and, of course, fill the hole back in.

Arizona’s average repair price is about 29% lower than the nation’s.

Water Service Line Replace: $2,654

Small sections of leaky or broken pipe can be repaired, but massive clogs or fully compromised pipes might necessitate a full replacement. Water service line replacements cost Arizonians about 26% less than the average American.

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• Prevent Frozen-Pipe Problems by Knowing These Things Down Cold

Video produced and directed by Eric Rossi: