Vienna, VA · Serving the Potomac, MD service area
Emergency Plumber for Vienna Homes: Town Water, County Sewer and County Permits Explained
Vienna runs its own water and most sewer mains, while Fairfax County handles plumbing permits. This page helps you work out which office to call first.
Town line or owner's line? In Vienna the answer starts with the meter
The Town of Vienna provides water to nearly 5,600 customers, about one-third of them outside Town limits, and its Public Works department maintains about 84 miles of sanitary sewer mains. That is more than most towns do, and it changes who you call.
The Town's policy page says property owners are responsible for repairing leaks that occur between the water meter and their property. So a leak on the house side is yours to repair, and the Town is the first call for the main in the street.
| Problem | First call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Water main break or sewer backup on Town service | Town urgent line | 703-255-6366 |
| Public Works question on weekdays | Town Public Works | 703-255-6380 |
| Water bill, account or leak question | Town Customer Care | 703-255-6385 |
| Backup at a county-sewer address | Fairfax County | 703-323-1211 |
| Fixture, pipe or heater inside the house | A plumber | Call us |
The 703-255-6366 number is the Town's police non-emergency line. The Town lists it as the urgent water and sewer number and refers after-hours callers to it. For a true emergency, call 911.
Some Vienna addresses are on county sewer
The Town's billing page says cycle 6 users fall under Fairfax County's sewer jurisdiction and that rates are set by the county. The first digit of the account number gives the cycle.
If your sewer is the county's, follow the county's rule: call it before a plumber when a backup may be in the main. If a single toilet, tub or sink backs up, a plumber is the better first call.
- Check the cycle on your bill before you call.
- Cycle 6: use the county line, 703-323-1211.
- Other cycles: use the Town line, 703-255-6366.
- Keep any report either office gives you.
The Town pages checked for this site do not say who owns the sewer lateral. Ask Public Works before paying for replacing a failed sewer lateral.
Sewage or water inside a Vienna house?
Stay clear of the water, close the main if you can and call. Give us your address.
A leak after the meter: the bill adjustment worth knowing about
The Town may grant an adjustment for an inside or outside leak once every five years. It asks for a copy of the paid repair receipt, sent to [email protected] with your name, address and a description of the leak.
That makes the plumber's invoice more than a receipt. Ask for one that names the location of the leak, the repair and the date. A vague invoice can slow an adjustment.
- Where was the leak: inside, outside or at the service line?
- What was replaced, and on what date?
- Is the invoice paid, with a total shown?
- Did you email the Town with the invoice attached?
A leak you cannot see may need pinpointing a hidden leak before anyone repairs it. A high bill is often the first sign.
Vienna on the map: Maple Avenue, Nutley Street and ZIP 22180
Vienna is about 8.6 miles from Potomac. Census land shares put 99 percent of the Town in ZIP 22180. Tell us your address and we confirm what we can send.
County permits for a Town project
Vienna's Planning and Zoning page says Fairfax County serves as the building official for the Town and reviews plumbing requirements before permits are issued. Questions about plumbing inspections go to the county. The Town reviews zoning on work the county permits.
When a county permit is required, the Town asks that materials go to the county first, with the county application number supplied to the Town. The page does not mention water heaters, so ask both offices what applies. Fairfax County says a gas water heater swap needs a permit even when it is like-for-like.
Land Development Services is at 703-222-0801, and Town Planning and Zoning is at 703-255-6341. Ask whoever you hire who pulls the permit. See picking a replacement heater for what the job involves, or answers about permits and licensing for more.
Vienna housing age: detached houses mostly built before 1980
The survey counts 5,674 housing units in Vienna, and 78.1 percent are detached houses. About 63 percent were built before 1980, with the 1960s at 25.3 percent and the 1950s at 19.6 percent. The sum is the owner's arithmetic on survey figures.
The Town reports that it found no lead or galvanized service lines, with most lines copper and a small share polyethylene on owner property. Piping inside a house is separate, and a plumber should name the material before suggesting a larger job.
- What are the supply pipes made of inside the house?
- How many leaks has the house had?
- Is the problem one run or several?
- When was the water heater last flushed?
Several leaks close together can point to whole-house pipe replacement. One leak is just one leak. The Town reports hardness of 5 to 10 grains per gallon, so scale in aerators is normal.
Storm water, flood risk and what your insurer covers
The Town says it is in a minimal flood hazard area, and it points out that many homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood damage. It suggests checking coverage for sewer or water damage. Stormwater problems go to Public Works at 703-255-6380.
The Town also says Virginia localities are only financially responsible for private property damage if they are also legally liable. So document a backup with photos and dates, and keep the plumber's report.
Gas heats 76.5 percent of Vienna homes and electricity 21.0 percent. For a gas smell, leave and call 844-927-4427 for Washington Gas.
Town, county and leak-bill questions in Vienna
Who do I call for a sewer backup in Vienna?
The Town says to call 703-255-6366 for urgent water or sewer issues such as sewer backups, and Public Works is 703-255-6380 on weekdays. If your bill is cycle 6, your sewer falls under Fairfax County, so call the county line at 703-323-1211 first.
Who owns the sewer lateral at my Vienna house?
The Town pages checked for this site do not say. Call Public Works at 703-255-6380 to confirm before you pay for a repair, and ask the plumber to record where the failure sits.
Does a water heater swap in Vienna need a Town permit?
Fairfax County is the building official for the Town and handles plumbing review and inspections. The Town page does not mention water heaters, so ask the county, and ask Planning and Zoning at 703-255-6341 whether the Town needs to review it.
Can I get a leak adjustment on my water bill?
The Town may grant an adjustment for an inside or outside leak once every five years. It asks for a copy of the paid repair receipt, sent to [email protected] with your name and address.
Leak or backup at your Vienna home?
Close the nearest shutoff and call. Give us your street address.