(A) All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection of a sanitary sewer to the building shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the sewer. The owner is responsible for all maintenance and repair of the sewer lateral from the building to the city sewer main. This section shall apply even where said sewer runs under a public street or a public right-of-way or uses a public easement.
(B) (1) The Sewer Lateral Repair Program covers the cost of repairing that portion of a defective sewer lateral that begins immediately beyond the property line of a premises and extends to the sewer main. For residential accounts, the program will cover 100% of the costs of repairs to a maximum of $15,000. For commercial accounts, the program will cover one-half of the cost of repairs on a 50% to 50% basis to a maximum of $15,000. However, a deductible of $100 shall apply to the cost of any repair undertaken in conjunction with this program. When repairs are necessary, the Director of Wastewater Treatment or a designee will solicit bids from qualified contractors when the estimated cost for the repair is $10,000 or more. If the estimated cost is less than $10,000, quotes will be secured.
(2) The Sewer Lateral Repair Program shall apply to all property that is billed for sewer service. To establish a fund from which to pay the cost of replacing qualified defective sewer laterals, a sewer-usage fee of $0.06 per day effective January 1, 2023, $0.08 per day effective January 1, 2024, and $0.10 per day effective January 1, 2025.
(3) The owner of a premises remains responsible for sewer laterals that run from the premises foundation to the property line.
(4) When a property owner experiences a problem with their lateral sewer service line, the owner must first have a licenses and bonded company to determine where the problem is. (Sometimes the problem is not with the line itself, but it may have become clogged by materials in the line.) As a common home maintenance expense, the cost of this determination is not reimbursable by the city. If the problem is proven to be beyond the property line, the owner should contact the city. The city reserves the right to determine if an emergency situation exists.
(5) If necessary, the city will arrange for the Wastewater Treatment Department to perform a dye test. In most instances this will disclose if, and where, there is a break in the sanitary sewer lateral.
(6) The property owner, not the tenant, must make the request to participate in the program.
(C) (1) In order to finance the sewer lateral repair a fee shall be charged to each sewer account in the amount of $0.06 per day effective January 1, 2023, $0.08 per day effective January 1, 2024, and $0.10 per day effective January 1, 2025.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2009, the implementation of repairs via this program will begin.
(1960 Code, § 38-3-9) (Ord. 9105-2022, passed 12-19-2022)