HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicy 01 - Cleaning of Private Sewer LateralsOTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICY
Subject Policy
Number
Date
Adopted
Date
Revised
PRIVATE SEWER LATERALS 01 10/15/84 03/06/19
Page 1 of 2
PURPOSE
To establish policy determining that sewer laterals are the
responsibility of property owners and not the District.
BACKGROUND
The District operates and maintains District sewer mains which
collect sewage from sewer laterals on privately-owned property. A
sewer lateral is the portion of the property owner's sewer line
that connects to the District main, whether in an easement on the
owner's property or in a public right-of-way. Maintenance of
sewer laterals is the responsibility of the owner of the property
that the sewer lateral serves. Maintenance of District sewer mains
and appurtenances, such as manholes, is the sole responsibility of
the District.
POLICY
The District is responsible for operation and maintenance of the
District Sewer. The District has no responsibility for performing
sewer maintenance on any portion of infrastructure not owned by
the District including, but not limited to, a property owner's
sewer lateral or sewer connection to a building. District
personnel are prohibited from performing sewer maintenance on any
sewer lateral without prior authorization from the General
Manager. The General Manager may grant such authorization when it
is deemed to be in the best interest of the District. The
property owner Charges may be charged for such sewer maintenance
at the discretion of the General Manager.
The following Sewer Lateral Maintenance Policy is hereby adopted
by the District’s Board of Directors.
1.If a stoppage is determined to be in the District Sewer, the
property owner shall notify the District immediately.
2.If repair/replacement is necessary to restore sewer service to
the sewer lateral, the property owner shall obtain all permits
prior to performing any such repair/replacement, and the
repair/replacement shall be performed in accordance with the
permitting agency’s requirements at the property owner’s sole
expense.
3.If a sewer lateral must be relocated due to the construction of
projects sponsored by the District, the District will bear the
sewer lateral relocation costs. The District will warranty the
OTAY WATER DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICY
Subject Policy
Number
Date
Adopted
Date
Revised
PRIVATE SEWER LATERALS 01 10/15/84 03/06/19
Page 2 of 2
relocation of the sewer lateral for one year from the
associated District sponsored project’s acceptance date.
4.If the existing sewer lateral serving the property is not
adequate for the property owner’s needs, because of size,
depth, location or any other factor, the entire cost of any
related corrective work shall be borne by the property owner.
5.A District permit is required for the connection of any sewer
lateral to the District Sewer, or work on the connection point
of any sewer lateral to the District Sewer.
6.Where sewage from a sewer lateral overflows into the street,
the property owner is responsible for immediate abatement of
the overflow condition and remediation of any effects from the
overflow. The cost for such cleaning and for all restoration
work required as a result of an overflow from a sewer lateral
shall be borne by the property owner. In instances where sewer
lateral overflow sewage could reach or enter a storm drain
system or the public right-of-way, and the property owner has
failed to address or abate the overflow condition, the District
may attempt to abate the sewer lateral overflow to prevent
storm water pollution and protect public health. The District
will bill the property owner for all costs associated with
sewer lateral overflow abatement. If it is determined that the
sewer lateral overflow is the result of a stoppage within the
District Sewer, the District will perform an investigation to
determine responsibility for abatement of the overflow
condition and remediation of any effects from the overflow.