SewerOwner

Preparing a municipal or utility call

This is the cheapest useful step available in a sewer problem and the one most often skipped. The body that operates your system holds the answers to responsibility, permits, records, and programs — and none of those answers exist anywhere else.

It is also the call SewerOwner most obviously cannot make for you. Nothing on this site knows what your authority requires.

What this page cannot establish

  • SewerOwner does not know what your authority requires and does not guess
  • SewerOwner cannot tell you that a program exists or that you qualify for one
  • SewerOwner cannot interpret a notice you have received
  • answers given verbally are worth confirming in writing

Have this ready before you call

  • the property address, and the parcel identifier if you have it
  • any notice, with its reference number and date
  • the dates of what you have observed
  • a written list of your questions, in priority order
  • something to write the answers on, with space for names and dates

What to ask, by topic

You are unlikely to get through all of these in one call. Ask the ones that bear on your decision first.

  • How does this authority define where a property owner’s responsibility for the sewer line ends? Is that published in writing?
  • Do you hold a connection record or map for this address?
  • Is there a permit history for this address?
  • Does the work I am considering require a permit, and who applies?
  • What inspection happens, and at what stage?
  • Do you operate any program covering private-side sewer work? What are its current terms, and is it open?
  • Does any program require approval before work starts?
  • Do you restrict who may perform this work?
  • How should a sewer backup be reported, and what will you check?
  • If I have received a notice, what specifically satisfies it, and by when?
  • Is there a written review or appeal process?

What would change the answer

  • your address, and the parcel identifier if you have it
  • any notice you have received, including its reference number
  • the dates and details of what you have observed

What to do next

The tool assembles the questions relevant to your situation into something you can hold during the call.

Build your question list

If your situation is different

Related, and why