Sewer Lateral Repair Program (St. Louis County)

[TechBoyJK]

http://www.stlouisco.com/PropertyandRoads/NeighborhoodServices/SewerLateral

On Tuesday, April 6, 1999, residents of unincorporated St. Louis County voted YES for Proposition 1 on the St. Louis County Election ballot.

Proposition 1 - the Residential Sewer Lateral Repair Program - covers the cost of repairing a defective residential sewer lateral. ( Residential sewer laterals run from the foundation of a house to the sewer main.) Under the new program, homeowners will pay a $28.00 fee annually. This fee was included on the 1999 real estate property tax bills issued to homeowners in unincorporated St. Louis County. The $28.00 fee establishes a fund that will cover the cost of replacing a defective sewer lateral.

Prior to Proposition 1, homeowners were responsible for paying the total cost of repairing their sewer lateral. Sewer lateral replacements can range from $2,000 to $15,000. If a sewer lateral runs under a street before connecting to a sewer main, the cost of repair could reach the higher number of $15,000.

With the new program, homeowners do not pay for the replacement of their sewer lateral. However, they are responsible for hiring a licensed plumber or licensed drainlayer to clear any blockage in their sewer lateral.

Stumbled on this while researching something else. Since we've already had a backup (happened 5 days after moving in) I'm more curious than anything. Is this program stating that the county will repair the sewer lateral, even if it's in our yard? Say the lateral breaks from some act of god, etc.. Normally I'd expect it to be our responsibility up to the street. This article seems to state we pay an annual fee which funds the replacement program, alleviating home owners of the risk of facing a huge repair bill..

Thoughts?

 

[mizzou]

In essence, they will cover your bill as long as you are in UNINCORPORATED county. If you live in a little city you are SOL.

You will need to pay for a camera line inspection and cleanout attempt, which is about $200. The plumber will then go straight to the county and ask for a lateral spot repair if necessary. They will only repair the amount necessary, it's not an automatic complete lateral line removal. They may only remove 6 feet.

But if they remove the 6 feet and see the rest of the line is toast, you will probably get a new line at least from the street up to your house. Everything at your house and under your house will be your responsibility.

it's really a hugely beneficial tax for the entire area you live in.

The funds come from your personal property tax bill or real estate bill, you can see the lateral fee in the itemization column.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Yep, we live in an unincorporated part of the county. Seems like the tax is worth it.

 

[skyking]

I have done side sewer replacement, working for a contractor. The average bill was probably 7000. Sounds like a good deal.