The water line connecting our house to the city supply has to be
replaced - it's galvanized and we have a leak 12' down - somewhere
under the garage.

In Detroit, the plumbing company says the new line (100 feet) is to be
installed more than 48" deep - new copper. Crack through the basement
floor (which is less than 48" below ground level) - add a new water
meter (the city installed a new one only 6 months ago). They will
abandon the old line - what will that mean in this case? cap it off at
the city end? other? Will they likely hot tap into the city line for
the new connection - should be some feet away from the old tap? We
need a city permit - can I anticipate the inspection will protect our
interests as well, or will it just be an inspection of the tap?

I'm in California, my brother's at the property in Detroit. I'll have
a chance to talk with the plumbing company this morning, so they'll
answer some of these. I'd appreciate any feedback you can offer.
They are quoting about $4000. I'm also wondering how they are going
to dig through the 4+ feet of frozen ground at this time?

I'll be at work today and Brian is anxious to have the job done -
wants to go get permit and new meter from the city later today. I
can't access the newsgroup from work, but I can get to my mailbox at
Yahoo. So if you have feedback, I wonder if you could post both to
the group and me at - reply to all could
accomplish that.

Thanks very much, Gail