Private Sewer Lateral FAQs

The sewer lateral is the pipe that connects a home's plumbing system into the City's sanitary sewer main. The pipes carry sanitary sewage and/or industrial waste from a building to a public sewer.

The lateral is considered the "private" segment since it is located on private property and serves the purposes of an individual, privately-owned building.

Property owners are responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of their lateral. The City is responsible for the mainline sewer in the street.

When immediate action is necessary to preserve or protect the public health, safety, and/or the environment, the City may have to step in and take corrective action. The property owner may be responsible for costs incurred by the City.

The City code was amended on July 24, 2007, to clarify that sewer laterals located on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to maintain, repair and replace.

In the past, the City responded to a small number of calls for service that involved private sewer laterals. A state law adopted in 2006 requires cities to take a more active role in maintaining sewer lines, or risk high fines and costs to bring the lines into compliance with stringent new state regulations. As part of the changes, the City needed to clarify roles and responsibilities for its sewage system.

Call a plumber to determine the problem. Look for "Plumbing Contractors" in the Yellow Pages. You may also contact the State Contractors License Board at (800) 321-2752 for licensed contractors in and around Carlsbad.

A clean out is an entry point into the sewer service that is used to clear the line of any obstruction. Generally, a clean out can be located either inside or outside of a house/building. Clean outs are sometimes inadvertently buried under landscaping and cement. When this happens, the clean out will need to be re-exposed and made accessible.

A plumber can determine where your sewer lateral's clean out is and the condition of your lateral as well as perform necessary repair work. The best way to assess the condition of a lateral is by Closed Circuit Television Video (CCTV) examination.

Sewer laterals can become clogged and overflow for a variety of reasons:

• Tree and/or bush roots wrapping around the sewer line
• Disposal of items into sink and/or toilet that clog the drain:
  • Feminine hygiene items, including tampons and pads
  • Baby wipes and diapers
  • Paper towels
  • Dental floss
  • Disposable towels
  • Foods not meant for the garbage disposal such as chicken bones, corn cobs and egg shells
  • Cooking grease
  • Children's toys

All food scraps and non-dissolvable items should be thrown in a trash or compost bin instead of down the drain. Kitchen cooking grease should never be thrown down the drain. Instead, cooking grease should be kept in a tin or glass jar and then thrown in the garbage.

In Carlsbad, about 50 percent of the 20 to 25 lateral line problems that the City hears about annually involve tree roots. The other 50 percent of problems are caused by people dumping grease or other substances down the drain.

To avoid costly repairs as well as heath, safety and environmental hazards, sewer laterals should be cleaned regularly. How often you clean your lateral depends on the age of your house, the growth of tree and bush roots and the types of items that go down the drain.

A good rule of thumb is have a plumber check your lateral every two to five years. Check more often if you experience a sewage-like odor or frequent clogged drains.

Some signs that sewer laterals need repair or replacement include frequent clogged drains and an odor of sewage. Houses and businesses with mature trees and bushes may need to check and repair their laterals more often since roots may wrap around and damage the lateral.

The best way to assess the condition of a lateral is by Closed Circuit Television Video (CCTV) examination.

You do not need a permit to perform lateral work on private property. However, if you are performing lateral work on public right-of-way, you must obtain a Plumbing Permit from the City's permit department, (760) 602-8558.

For more information, please call the Carlsbad Municipal Water District at (760) 438-2722.

If you think a City street tree caused your line break, please contact the City's risk management division at 602-2470.