Is the cost of clearing a blockage in the service line the homeowner's responsibility?
It is the property owner's responsibility - whether the blockage can be freed by power rodding or a repair is needed. If a repair to the house connection is necessary, the owner must hire a licensed contractor to perform the work, under permit from the city. In short, any service line problem that prevents the homeowner's sanitary sewer flow from entering the public main line is the property owner's responsibility. If the homeowner's lateral has a previous history of root problems, the Public Works Department's Sewer Division should be notified so we may televise the public main line.
View the sewer line diagram.

Show All Answers

1. What do I do if sewage backs up in my home?
2. Why should I call the Public Works Department first?
3. What if the cause of the backup is not in the main sewer?
4. Is the cost of clearing a blockage in the service line the homeowner's responsibility?
5. Do backwater valves help prevent sewage backing up into my basement?
6. Could an overhead sewer help prevent sewage backing up into my home?