Private Sewer Lateral
What is a Sewer Lateral?
A sewer lateral is the pipe that conveys sewage from a building's plumbing to the City sewer system and is made up of two segments - upper lateral and lower lateral. The Property Owner handles the maintenance and replacement of the upper sewer lateral only – the portion on private property. The City handles the lower sewer lateral, which is the portion from the property line to the sewer main.
Maintenance Requirements
- Free of any roots, grease deposits and other solids which may obstruct the flow
- Watertight and does not have any structural defects, cracks, breaks, openings, rat holes or missing portions
- Have a cleanout located at the property line or at the Sewer Main Easement. All cleanouts should be properly capped at all times.
- Free from any non-sewer connections to it (i.e. roof drain, area drain, sump pump)
Problems When Not Maintained
An unmaintained PSL increases the chance of blockage in the pipe, which can cause raw sewage to back up into a building. This can end up costing the property owner a lot of money to clean up from the impacts. It also allows stormwater to enter the pipe through cracks and other defects. This can overload the sewer system and treatment facilities during wet weather, resulting in untreated sewage entering the San Francisco Bay.
When Do You Need a EBMUD Compliance Certificate?
You can voluntarily repair or replace your PSL at any time (for example, if you are experiencing frequent sewer backups). If this is the case, you should still get an EBMUD Compliance Certificate to prove your new or repaired PSL is free of leaks.
Is a City Permit Required?
One or two City Permits are required depending on your project:
- BUILDING PERMIT (REQUIRED)
A Building Permit is required for ground plumbing repairs and replacements. Please visit the Permit Center for information on how to apply for a Building Permit.
Licensed contractors must follow the California Plumbing Code, as amended by the Alameda Municipal Code Chapter 13-6 Alameda Plumbing Code. Contractors holding a C-36 Plumbing Contractor license or C-42 Sanitation System Contractor should perform any PSL repair or replacement work. Please refer to EBMUD's Hiring a Contractor Guidelines.
- ENCROACHMENT PERMIT
An Encroachment Permit is only required when a clean out is installed/replaced in the sidewalk or parkway strip; and/or your PSL goes into a side or back yard sewer main. Visit the Public Works Permit webpage for information on how to apply and who should apply for the Encroachment Permit. Cleanouts installed on the private property side of the property line do not need an Encroachment Permit. You should still contact the Public Works Department so that a Public Works staff member can help you determine the correct location of the clean out.
Installing Cleanouts
A cleanout is a pipe fitting connected to the sewer lateral that provides access to the line.
If it doesn't already exist, the City requires the property owner to install a cleanout on the sewer lateral at the property line. Contact the Public Works Department so that a staff member can assist you in siting the location of your cleanout correctly.
If your PSL goes into a backyard sewer main or other sewer easement, contact the Public Works Department for easement location and help on where to install the clean out.
Please review the following documents:
Property line setbacks are block specific – select the applicable map from the index sheet and locate the subject address. Find the property line setback from face of curb dimension on that City block. This is where the cleanout should be installed and any deviance from this must be approved by the Public Works Department in advance. You can always contact the Public Works Department so that a staff member can assist you in siting the location of your cleanout correctly. If in doubt, contact Public Works.
Licensed contractors must follow the California Plumbing Code, as amended by the Alameda Municipal Code Chapter 13-6 Alameda Plumbing Code.
Alameda Point
For PSL Certificates in Alameda Point, please contact Engineering. In order for the project owner to initiate the PSL Certification process for a tenant or property owner at Alameda Point, EBMUD requires the Alameda Point PSL Form to be signed by the City before scheduling a special appointment for certification.
Time Extensions
Time Extension Certificates are issued by EBMUD and may be available for those who need more time to obtain a Compliance Certificate. Contact EBMUD directly to apply for a time extension and pay the Time Extension Certificate fee. The City does not have authority to grant a time extension.
Program Background
Since the early 1980’s, the City and other Bay Area communities in the EBMUD wastewater treatment service area have worked together to reduce wet weather sanitary sewer overflows to community streets, local creeks and waterways, and the San Francisco Bay. The replacement of old, cracked sewer pipes can decrease the amount of rainwater infiltration entering the system, which left unaddressed can overwhelm the treatment capacity of the wastewater facilities.
The City has an on-going replacement program for the publicly owned mainline pipes, manholes, pump stations and lower laterals. However, some homes in Alameda have never had their original sewer laterals replaced. Over time, these pipelines, generally made of clay, can crack, become disjointed, experience displacement, and/or be subjected to intrusion by tree roots, all which can cause leakage and blockage. This PSL Program is a mechanism to have property owners renew their part of the sewer system.