Sewer Repair....I'm on the hook for $18k for city road work??

Question

My properties sewer line needs repair under city street - $18k for excavation and road work alone. Sewer line connection to the main is 15 feet below grade so there is a lot of excavation and then road resurfacing once the sewer line is repaired. Can this really be 100% the property owners responsibility? No local insurance program is offered for sewer line protection like some cities. The property line ends at the boulevard. If I was only digging up the front yard I'd have no issue with assuming responsibility. But the road???

Anyone who has had experience I greatly appreciate your insight.

BC

Anyone who has had experience I greatly appreciate your insight.

BC

Jay Stewart · Answer

Generally speaking, the property owner is responsible for repairs of their sewer line, often referred to as a sewer lateral. Local governments are typically only responsible for the sewer main (line). Unfortunately, there are instances where the connection from the lateral to the main line is either not close or involves other issues such as depth or needing to cross the other side of the rode to access the main sewer line. For example, I recently had a client that was on a functioning septic system servicing their rental property. When a new public sewer line was installed nearby, it was stopped far short of the client's property. Because Ohio law requires the property owner to connect to a public sewer system when available, my client had to make the connection to the main line even though a large portion of the private lateral was located in the City's right-of-way. Total cost was around $25,000. Slightly different set of facts, but it illustrates that typically the property owner is responsible for their own lateral, regardless of distance, depth and crossing (or boring under) public streets. Keep in mind, each state and local government may have different regulations and law, so make some calls to the sewer department, if you haven't already. Hope this helps.

Brandon Sturgill · Answer

@Brandon Capelle Sewer replacement is a thing of the past on almost every level. Lining is the preferred technique...across almost all municipalities...did anyone mention this?

Dennis M. · Answer

I would push my house over with a bulldozer before I’d pay that

Brandon Sturgill · Answer

@Brandon Capelle they do a point repair...I'd push back...I've talked to a few property owners that were pushed around and forced to replace lines at astronomical costs when lining was the solution. The alternative is to collapse the line...a little more involved, but better than replacement.

Replacement would have to be an absolute last resort...

Michael Noto · Answer

This is town/city specific. In most of the areas I invest in here in CT you are responsible for your sewer line until the point that it connects to the city sewer in the street. We had a similar issue happen 4-5 years ago but the repair was about $8500, your line must be deeper in the ground than ours was.

Brandon Capelle · Answer

@Brandon Sturgill There is an offset in the sewer line resulting in it not being a candidate for lining. Had a lining company review the scope video.

Brandon Capelle · Answer

@Wayne Brooks It's located on the road side. My property line ends at the curb and the repair needs to be made almost at the main in the center or the street.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

@Brandon Capelle Where Exactly is your property line, in relation to the edge of pavement. Is the area to be repaired on your side, and how far, or the road side of your property line?

Sewer Repair....I'm on the hook for $18k for city road work??

Sewer Repair....I'm on the hook for $18k for city road work??

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