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1. What is a private sewer lateral?

A private sewer lateral is an underground pipe that is part of your home’s plumbing. It conveys wastewater or storm water from your property to SD1’s public sewer system. As a private property owner, you own your lateral from the end of the building’s plumbing to the connection with SD1’s sewer. You are responsible for maintaining your lateral, just like other pipes in and around your property.

2. What is the purpose of SD1's private lateral repair program?

When private sewer laterals deteriorate, they can affect community services, public health and safety by causing sinkholes, destabilizing nearby structures and leading to sewer overflows and backups. When these laterals run beneath roadways, repairs can be cost prohibitive to the private property owners responsible for them. To assist property owners in addressing this issue in a timely and affordable way, SD1 funds a private sewer lateral repair program. The program will allow SD1 to perform work on defective private sewer laterals beneath public roadways that may be contributing to a visible pavement failure, building backup or sewer overflow.

3. What is the responsibility of private property owners?

Private property owners are responsible for maintaining their private sewer laterals, just as they are responsible for the pipes inside their home. As a result, SD1 is not responsible for investigating or demonstrating the cause of roadway failures, sewer backups or sewer overflows resulting from a damaged or faulty lateral. The private property owner must investigate and demonstrate that such a problem is due to a lateral defect beneath the public roadway before SD1 will perform the necessary lateral repair work. Private property owners remain responsible for repairing any lateral damage that does not fall under the public roadway and for any damage to private property caused by a defective lateral, regardless of where the defect is located.  

4. What are the signs of a defective private sewer lateral?

If your home is experiencing blockages or sewer backups, or if sewage is overflowing into the environment, your private lateral may be defective. Sinkholes also can be a sign of defective laterals.

5. What should I do if I suspect my sewer lateral is defective?

If you suspect a defect in your sewer lateral is contributing to a visible pavement failure, a building backup or a sewer overflow, you should call SD1 at 859-578-7450. If SD1 determines the issue is not related to the public sewer line, you will need to call a licensed plumber to investigate your private sewer lateral. If the plumber determines the defect is in the lateral below the public roadway, the following requirements must be met in order for SD1 to perform services through our lateral repair program:

• You must provide SD1 with conclusive evidence, including a plumber’s video recording, showing that the problem is below the public roadway and cannot be fixed through routine maintenance. Routine maintenance issues, including root or grease obstructions or removable blockage, remain the responsibility of the private property owner. Video evidence must clearly show the cause of the sewer lateral malfunction.
• Your plumber must locate the problem using a “locating device” and clearly mark the location on the surface of the roadway with spray paint or another appropriate material. Merely measuring the distance to the problem will not suffice.
• Before SD1 will perform any work, the private property owner must sign an agreement holding SD1 harmless from any litigation resulting from the lateral repair project. If you are able to demonstrate that the lateral defect is located beneath the public roadway and cannot be corrected through routine maintenance, you should call SD1 Customer Care at 859-578-7450 to request service through the lateral repair program. 

6. What is SD1's role in the private lateral repair program?

SD1’s role in this program is limited to the repair of the private sewer lateral under the public roadway. SD1 also will restore the affected public roadway and any curbs, sidewalks and drive aprons disturbed through SD1’s lateral repair work.

7. What is the role of the participating public roadway owners?

In order for residents to benefit from SD1’s private lateral repair program, the public roadway owner (the city, county or the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet) must have entered into an interlocal agreement with SD1.

8. How are private sewer lateral repairs prioritized?

Funding for this program is determined during SD1’s regular budgeting process. Once the budgeted funds run out, SD1 will perform no further repairs to private sewer laterals until additional funds are allocated in the next annual budget.  

Because funds are limited, SD1 also will prioritize projects based on the impact to public health and safety rather than on a first-come, first-serve basis. Factors SD1 may consider when prioritizing repairs include the presence and severity of building backups, sewer overflows and sinkholes. SD1 may also consider the traffic count of affected roadways. 

9. How can I maintain my private sewer lateral?

To learn more about how you can maintain your private sewer lateral, visit our Your Private Sewer Lateral page.

10. What should I do if I experience a backup, overflow or pavement failure?

Call SD1 at 859-578-7450 and report your issue to our customer contact agents. SD1 will dispatch a crew to visit your property and investigate your concern.

11. If I need a plumber, what are some factors to consider when choosing a service provider?

• Evidence of being licensed and insured: Be sure that the plumber you hire is licensed and carries full insurance that protects you and your neighbor’s property in the event of a catastrophe.
• Experience: Ask for and check references. Though there are many long-standing and reputable plumbers in the area, longevity does not always guarantee quality service.
• Price of service: Ask for a flat, fixed quote so you know exactly what you will pay. Get more than one bid or quote for the job, but make sure you are comparing apples to apples for the same service level. The lowest price does not ensure the workmanship will last the longest. Ask the companies clarifying questions about the factors that may have contributed to considerable price differences.
• Guarantee: Ask about the company’s guarantee. Is it money back? Is it limited in any way? Is it written on your bid or quote? Reputable plumbers with a history of good performance standards should be willing to provide some level of guarantee.

12. Should I purchase sewage backup insurance?

Did you know that if sewage backs up into your home, insurance does not generally cover damage and cleanup costs? In most instances, if a backup occurs, the homeowner is responsible for repair, cleanup and replacement costs, including the arrangement of repairs and cleanup. Most insurance companies offer optional backup coverage on homeowner policies to protect your home in the case of a potential backup. Please contact your insurance agent for coverage premiums and deductibles.