Quick answer
For water damage in Big Lake, MN, shut off your main valve first, or turn off the well pump breaker if you are on a private well. For a water meter problem, call Big Lake Public Works at 763-263-2268. Then call a water damage restoration company; drying should start within 24 to 48 hours. Minnesota law gives insurers 10 business days to acknowledge a claim.
Do this first
Local water and sewer lines.
City Hall is at 160 Lake St. N. and is open Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Public Works is at 18041 198th Ave. and is open Monday to Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Shut off the water. Shut off the main valve where the line enters the house. For a water meter problem, call Big Lake Public Works at 763-263-2268.
- Make it safe and document it. Cut power to wet rooms from a dry spot, photograph the damage, then report the claim.
- Start drying within 24 to 48 hours. The median Big Lake home dates to 2000, and only about 16% were built before 1980. Check appliance hoses, the water heater, and finished basement walls first.
Big Lake Public Works handles water meter repairs and installs. Account and moving questions go to 763-251-2969.
What to know about water damage in Big Lake
178 to 300 feet
The depth range of the seven wells that supply Big Lake's drinking water.
Once Humboldt
Big Lake was called Humboldt until 1867. Its post office opened as Elk Prairie in 1854 and became Big Lake in 1855.
Sources: Wikipedia, LakesnWoods
Ice harvest town
The town grew up harvesting ice from Big and Mitchell Lakes, and a railway station was built in 1871 to ship it.
Source: Wikipedia
Lakes in town
Big Lake covers about 251 acres, Mitchell Lake about 170, and nearby Eagle Lake about 381.
Source: LakesnWoods
End of the Northstar line
Big Lake was the northern end of the Northstar commuter rail line to Minneapolis until it was replaced by bus service in January 2026.
Source: Wikipedia
Homes in Big Lake
The median home dates to 2000, and about 14% were built in 2010 or later. About 87% are owner-occupied, with a median value near $330,200.
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Cost and insurance in Big Lake
How much does water damage restoration cost in Big Lake?
Most jobs run $450 to $16,000 (Angi). Lake or storm water that runs in from outside is a flood loss, which needs a separate flood policy. In a newer home with a finished basement, ask the crew to check behind the drywall and under the carpet pad before drying ends.
Water removal and restoration in Big Lake
The company that answers handles finished basement leaks, appliance hose failures, frozen pipes, sewer backups, and water heater failures, plus burst pipes, appliance leaks, drying, and septic backups.
Big Lake questions
Who do I call about a Big Lake water meter problem?
Big Lake Public Works, at 763-263-2268.
Who handles Big Lake water and sewer accounts?
The utility account line, at 763-251-2969.
Where does Big Lake's water come from?
Seven city wells, 178 to 300 feet deep.
When was Big Lake incorporated?
On December 29, 1898.
Related guides
Other Minnesota towns- Burst pipe, not frozen
- Sewage backup: what to do first
- Burst pipe repair cost
- Minnesota insurance claim rules, in plain English
- Frozen and burst pipes: what to do
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
- How long water damage takes to dry
Local phone numbers checked November 2026: