A Powerful Local Story
At the turn of the 20th century, municipal leaders in Pennsylvania were laying the foundations—literally—for the systems that would fuel public health, safety, and economic growth. Water mains, sewer lines, streetlights, and paved roads transformed daily life and formed the physical backbone of our boroughs and towns. These essential services, many still in use today, were visionary for their time.
Now, 125 years later, we find ourselves stewards of both that legacy and the future it made possible. While the challenges have changed, the fundamental duty remains the same: to protect our communities by maintaining the critical infrastructure that supports them.
The Unseen Infrastructure Beneath Our Feet
Much of the infrastructure that keeps our communities running is invisible to the eye — and often, until it fails, unnoticed. Service lines that connect homes to public water and sewer systems, for example, are small components of a vast system, but they play a massive role in daily life. For decades, these lines were installed without the expectation that they would need to last a century — and yet here we are, in 2025, still relying on many of them.
Municipal officials today are grappling with increasingly complex issues such as aging water and sewer systems that stretch beyond their intended lifespans, the rising costs of emergency repairs and deferred maintenance, extreme weather events that strain local systems and public expectations for transparency, equity, and service continuity.
When a water or sewer line fails on the homeowner’s side of the property line — a situation many residents don’t realize is their responsibility — the result can be financial hardship, distress, and a call to the borough office for help.
Modern Solutions Rooted in Tradition
Pennsylvania has a long tradition of local government innovation — finding practical, community-first solutions to evolving needs. However, when private-side infrastructure issues go unaddressed, they quickly become public-side problems that put municipalities in a challenging position. This is why many municipalities are turning to public-private partnerships to extend their capacity and protect residents in new ways.
One such example is the National League of Cities (NLC) Service Line Warranty Program, administered by HomeServe. Designed specifically for municipalities, the program offers homeowners affordable protection against the high cost of unexpected water and sewer line repairs — often saving them thousands of dollars and reducing calls to local public works departments.
What makes the program work for municipal leaders is its alignment with core values:
- No cost to the municipality to participate
- Educational outreach that increases resident awareness and preparedness
- Optional enrollment, giving homeowners choice and autonomy
- 24/7 emergency support, easing the burden on city staff
- Local contractor engagement, supporting borough economies
To date, over 1,300 municipalities across the country — including 52 municipalities in Pennsylvania — have partnered with the program. In doing so, they are proactively addressing aging infrastructure, empowering residents, and extending the legacy of community care that has defined local governance for more than a century.
Through a partnership with HomeServe, Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority residents have saved 2.2 million dollars in water related repairs since 2021.
A Partnership for the Next Chapter
The NLC Service Line Warranty Program is not a replacement for investment in infrastructure. Instead, it’s a complement: one that helps municipal officials do more with limited resources, while putting residents in a stronger position to manage unexpected costs.
Infrastructure may evolve, but the mission remains: support the backbone of our communities, protect the people who live there, and prepare for what comes next.
We are proud to stand with Pennsylvania municipalities as you build on 125 years of progress — and forge the infrastructure of the future.
Municipal officials interested in learning more about how the program supports Pennsylvania communities can visit https://partnerships.homeserve.com/water-solutions/contact-us/.
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