Who Is Responsible for Sewer Lines in Minneapolis?

Who is responsible for the sewer line in Minneapolis? Many homeowners assume the City is responsible once the sewer line leaves their property—but that isn’t necessarily the case.

If there’s a problem with the sewer pipe running from your Minneapolis home toward the street, you may wonder: Who is responsible for fixing it—the homeowner or the City of Minneapolis?

The answer surprises many homeowners.

In Minneapolis, the property owner is responsible for the sanitary sewer lateral that connects the property to the City sewer main—including the connection to the City sewer main.

That means your responsibility doesn’t necessarily end at your property line, sidewalk, or curb.

That means your responsibility doesn’t necessarily end at your property line, sidewalk or curb.

What Is a Sewer Lateral?

Your home’s sanitary sewer lateral is the underground pipe that carries wastewater away from your home.

Every time you flush a toilet, run the washing machine, take a shower or use a sink, wastewater travels through this pipe toward the City’s sanitary sewer system.

The City of Minneapolis states that property owners are responsible for their sanitary sewer lateral, including the connection to the City sewer main. Property owners must maintain and repair that lateral.

The City, meanwhile, owns and maintains the public sanitary sewer main.

Does My Responsibility End at the Property Line?

No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions we encounter with sewer repairs.

A portion of a private sewer lateral may travel through the public right-of-way and underneath the street before reaching the City sewer main.

Even though that portion of pipe is no longer physically underneath your yard, it can still be part of your private sewer lateral.

The City of Minneapolis specifically explains that homeowners are responsible for the private sewer line connecting their house to the main pipe even for the portion running underneath the street.

Homeowner responsibility also includes the connection — sometimes called the wye — where the private lateral connects to the City’s sewer main.

What Is the City of Minneapolis Responsible For?

The City is responsible for maintaining the City-owned sanitary sewer main.

So, generally:

Homeowner: Private sewer lateral from the property to the City’s sewer main, including the connection.

City of Minneapolis: Public sanitary sewer main.

Determining exactly where a sewer problem is located is therefore extremely important before deciding what type of repair is needed.

How Do You Know Where the Sewer Problem Is?

You can’t determine the condition of an underground sewer simply by looking at the yard.

That’s where a sewer video inspection can be valuable.

A sewer camera can travel through the line and help identify conditions such as:

• Root intrusion
• Cracks
• Separated pipe joints
• Offset connections
• Deteriorated pipe
• Bellies or low areas
• Obstructions
• Collapsed sections

But finding a defect on camera is only part of the equation.

If a repair is being considered, knowing where the defect is physically located can be just as important as knowing what the camera sees.

At Cichy’s Water & Sewer, our sewer diagnostic process can help evaluate the condition of the line and provide information homeowners need when considering the next step.

What If My Sewer Backs Up?

If you’re experiencing a sewer backup in Minneapolis, the City recommends contacting Sewer Maintenance to determine whether the problem is related to the public sewer.

If the problem isn’t within the public sewer system, a professional contractor may be needed to investigate the private sewer lateral.

Common warning signs of a private sewer problem can include:

• Recurring sewer backups
• Multiple slow drains
• Gurgling toilets
• Sewage odors
• Tree roots discovered during drain cleaning
• A sewer line that repeatedly needs cleaning
• Known cracks, separations or deterioration from a previous sewer inspection

Recurring problems are especially worth investigating. Clearing a blockage may restore flow, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you why the blockage happened in the first place.

Does a Damaged Sewer Line Always Need to Be Excavated?

No.

The right repair depends on the pipe’s condition, location, material and type of defect.

Traditional excavation may be the appropriate solution in some situations. In others, trenchless sewer rehabilitation such as CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) lining may allow an existing sewer to be rehabilitated with significantly less excavation.

That’s why we believe the first step shouldn’t simply be asking:

“How much does a sewer replacement cost?”

A better first question is:

“What’s actually happening inside my sewer line?”

Once the condition and location of the problem are understood, you can make a much more informed decision about repair options.

Buying a Home in Minneapolis? Don’t Forget the Sewer.

A sewer inspection can also be extremely valuable when purchasing an older Minneapolis home.

Many homes throughout Minneapolis have older sewer systems, and underground problems aren’t always visible during a standard home inspection.

A sewer may appear to be working normally while still containing roots, cracks, separations or other defects.

Knowing your sewer’s condition before buying a property can help prevent an unpleasant surprise later.

Have Questions About Your Minneapolis Sewer Line?

If you’re dealing with recurring sewer problems, received a sewer inspection report, or simply want to understand the condition of your sewer line, Cichy’s Water & Sewer can help.

We’ve been working underground in the Twin Cities since 1989, providing sewer and water service, repair, replacement, and trenchless solutions.

What’s in your pipes? Let’s find out.

Contact Cichy’s Water & Sewer to discuss your sewer line or schedule a sewer diagnostic evaluation.