NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public Utilities is partnering with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) to offer protection to city homeowners for the water and sewer service lines that connect their homes to the city’s systems. The coverage is voluntary and available at affordable monthly prices.

Founded in 2003, SLWA has partnered with nearly 700 leading cities and municipalities in the U.S. to provide repair service plans.

Many homeowners do not know that damage to the service lines on their property is their responsibility to repair. In the event of a service line repair emergency, the homeowner is responsible for scheduling the repair and covering the associated cost. As homes age along with the infrastructure serving them, SLWA repair plans provide homeowners with an optional solution so they can be prepared for this type of unexpected repair.

The SLWA Service Line Warranty Program protects against repairs needed to service lines on homeowners’ property. Repairs to these pipes are not covered by basic homeowner’s insurance (please contact your insurance carrier to verify coverage) or by the New Ulm Public Utilities. If a customer’s service line needs repair, a call to the SLWA 24-hour hotline will dispatch a local, licensed contractor familiar with local code. There are no service fees or deductibles.

This program is voluntary for homeowners, provided at no cost to the City of New Ulm and no public funds are used to promote or administer the program.