Removing Home Due to Water Leak

[Bryan]

I have a serious water leak on a 2 inch main going through my park. Unfortunately the leak has been determined to be underneath an older mobile (at an unused water riser about 5 feet down). The unit is for sale, its naturally over-priced. Has anyone ever required a home to be removed for a situation similar? Don't wish to make an enemy but I'm currently spending about 2/3 more in water than I can bill the residents for (all homes are sub-metered) . Any guidance would be appreciated. I could in effect dig at both ends of the trailer and trench around it but would be so much easier if it was gone.

By the way, I used a leak detection company to locate the problem... did a great job and guarantees his work (if no leak where instructed to dig, he will come back free of charge.)

Thanks again.

[Chrissy Jackson]

Yes, people have had to move homes in order to fix leaks in older communities. It is usually not really cheap, but in the long run outweighs the continuing cost of excess water. And, if the water leaks long enough, it might cause a sink hole.
First, talk to the owner of the home. If you have another vacant homesite, offer to relocate the home there. If he refuses, find a transporter who will pull the home off the site and return it when the leak is repaired. If you can buy the home that would probably save some money, but it doesn't sound like your resident is willing to sell it reasonably. If you do not have a vacant homesite, and if people are living in the home, you may have to put them in a hotel while you move the home and fix the leak. At this point, re-routing the water line makes no sense, but you might put in a shut-off valve on one side of the home. Then, the next time you have a water leak, or have time, put in another shut-off valve further down the water line. The goal should be to have your community arranged so that you can shut off a group of 15 or so homes without shutting off the water to the entire community.