Title
Presentation: Sanitary Sewer Lateral Lines under pavement in the Right of Way
Body
Issue/Request:
Presentation of the proposed policy to make repairs to private lateral lines in the Right of Way (ROW).
Key Issues:
- The repair of sewer lateral lines in the right-of-way (ROW) has been a discussion point for many years
- Significant cost to repair in the right of way
- Homeowners’ have a difficult time hiring/finding contractors to perform the work
- Potential impacts to the public infrastructure
- Complexity of the work
Background:
Chapter 32 of the Code of Ordinances places the ownership and responsibility for the maintenance and repair of sanitary sewer service lines (laterals) on the owner of the property they serve. This ownership extends from the structure to the connection to the city owned main line sewer. There have been concerns of the costs of repair of theses lateral lines especially when those repairs happen in the city Right Of Way (ROW). Through the years the Utility has provided information to its customers about the availability of insurance for these instances in hopes of providing protection and relief from the costly repairs. While this has been some help the cost of work in the ROW is still greater than most of the maximum allowed by the insurance coverage. The current practice also puts repair of the public improvements in the ROW in the hands of the property owner which is not a desirable situation.
The proposed policy would place the repair of non-maintenance related failures under City owned streets which require excavation under city control for owner occupied residential structures.
Presenter
Jeff Thorn Deputy Director, Water Utilities