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Understanding the terminology
The Sewer Lateral is the length of pipe that runs from the building to the City’s main sewer, if the property is connected to the City’s sewer system.
Who’s responsible formaintenance, repairs and replacements?
The City’s new Sewer and Drain By-law states that the City, in certain circumstances, will maintain, repair and replace the Public Portion, at the City’s cost. The property owner or occupant will be responsible for all costs associated with reinstating sewer service in a Sewer Lateral where it is determined that the loss of sewer service is the result of Sewer Lateral Negligence. The City is not responsible for any maintenance, repairs or replacements of the Private Portion.
What to do
If you suspect that you have a problem with your Sewer Lateral, please call 905-546-CITY (2489). Explain the problem to our staff. You may be asked a few simple questions to help determine the nature of the problem If there is no evidence of a backup within the City’s main sewer, you may use the City’s contractor to schedule a cleaning and inspection of the Sewer Lateral or contact a qualified, licensed sewer contractor of your choice. When using the City’s contractor, the property owner or occupant will be required to sign a Service Contract outlining each party’s responsibilities.
Reimbursement of costs - Public Portion
When you choose to use the City’s contractor for a Sewer Lateral cleaning and inspection, the City’s contractor will provide you with a list of fees you may have to pay. If it is determined that the defect or blockage is located on the Public Portion, the City will not invoice you for that service. If the defect or blockage is on the Private Portion or is the result of Sewer Lateral Negligence, the City will invoice you for the applicable fees for that service.
Should you choose to contact a qualified, licensed sewer contractor for a Sewer Lateral cleaning and inspection, you may be eligible for reimbursement by the City for some or all of the costs you incur where there are defects in the Public Portion. To be considered for reimbursement, you must provide the City with a closed circuit television record showing the condition of the Sewer Lateral and the location of defects on the Public Portion, together with the sewer contractor’s original invoice.
Hamilton, as part of its ongoing commitment to upgrading infrastructure, administers a Sewer Lateral Management Program. In the event that a Sewer Lateral cleaning or inspection of the Public Portion leads to repair, or replacement, the City will contact the affected property owner to provide complete details of the work involved. |