Residential property owners are responsible for the maintenance of buried water lines and buried sewer lines from the town’s main connection to their home. Often, when a problem occurs residents are not aware of that responsibility, Ashley Shirwarski of Utility Service Partners, Inc. (USPI) told the Taylor Town Council April 7.

Shirwarski explained that the program is a free public awareness campaign, and if the homeowner chooses to enroll in the program for a few dollars a month, USPI would be responsible for any problem the homeowner has beyond the town hookups for sewer and water lines.

The warranty program is offered to homeowners through the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, which has partnered with USPI.

There is no cost to the town for residents to sign up for the warranty program, according to Shirwarski, but she was seeking approval of a mail campaign three times a year that would promote the program to homeowners.

There are three programs offered, including plumbing lines, sewer lines and in-home plumbing.

If the homeowner has a problem, he or she would contact USPI, anytime, day or night. The firm would then contact a local plumber who has gone through an approval process. The homeowner would receive up to $4,000 per repair, and there is no deductible, nor annual or lifetime limits.

Councilman Jason Brubaker said he discussed this program with local contractors, who expressed concern that they would be hired to do a job for less money than they would normally make.

“We don’t tell a contractor their fees,” said Shirwarski. “We just have to make sure they have all the licenses and agree to customer satisfaction terms, but we don’t tell them what to charge.” If an estimate seems too high, though, USPI would ask another contractor for a second bid.

“I think this is an opportunity to offer something to residents that they currently don’t have,” said Town Manager Gus Lundberg.

Councilman Dave Smith asked what is expected of the town.

“We enter into a marketing agreement with the town, but it really just sets up our marketing campaign,” responded Shiwarski. “The only thing the town is really involved in is the introductory letter.” She added that the council would review and approve the marketing campaign.

A motion to accept the program passed 5-1, with Mayor Fay Hatch, Vice Mayor Shawn Palmer, and Councilmen Carl Cosper, Jason Brubaker and David Smith voting in favor of it, and Councilman Gary Solomon opposing it.