Form Center

The following sections outline the eligibility criteria for investigation and repair under the Sanitary Sewer Lateral Program. Please review them carefully to determine whether your situation qualifies.

If eligible, the City of Crestwood will cover the cost of investigation and repair through the program.

Should you have questions, please contact Deputy City Administrator Jeff Faust.

Crestwood residential property owners are eligible for sanitary sewer lateral line cabling and a camera investigation of their sanitary sewer lateral line by the City if they meet any of the following three criteria: 

• Criterion #1: The property owner has contracted with a cabling company, and that company cannot open the sanitary sewer lateral line. In this case, the City will contact its cabling contractor to attempt to open the sanitary sewer lateral line and perform a camera investigation. The cost to the property owner for the initial cabling is not an eligible expense and shall be paid by the property owner. The cost for the City to cable the line and perform the television inspection is an eligible expense and will be paid by the City. 
• Criterion #2: The property owner can provide receipts for three (3) sewer lateral cablings with the previous eighteen (18) months. In this case, the City will contact its cabling contractor to perform a cabling and camera investigation. The cost to the property owner for the three (3) initial cablings is not reimbursable and shall be paid by the property owner. The cost for the City to cable the line and perform a television inspection is an eligible expense and will be paid by the City.
• Criterion #3: There are sinkholes or other visual evidence in the property owner’s yard, which indicate, based upon City staff experience and/or MSD dye test, that the sanitary sewer lateral line may have a defect. In this case, the City will contact its cabling contractor to perform a cabling and camera investigation of the sanitary sewer lateral, which will be paid by the City.

1. As of January 1, 1999, the owner of a single-family home, a duplex or an apartment development containing not more than six (6) dwelling units may recover one hundred percent (100%) of the authorized costs, up to a maximum of $10,000, in repairing defective sanitary sewer lateral service lines serving the property of the owner.
2. Property owners will be responsible for 50% of repair costs in excess of $10,000.
3. The total annual expenditure shall not exceed the amount budgeted for the sewer lateral fund for the current fiscal year. This program was established and is funded by a $28 annual fee adopted by voters. The amount of this fee may be lowered by the Board of Aldermen but may not be raised unless voters approve an increase.
4. A sanitary sewer lateral service line, which is covered by the Crestwood Sewer Lateral Repair Program, is a sewer line, connecting the extension of the building lateral from FIVE feet outside the building foundation wall or exterior wall to the sewer main in the street right-of-way or sewer easement AND it does not include a sewer line located under any part of the building, including such structures as porches, decks, etc. a. If the building lateral consists of more than one material, the building material under the structure and any extension of that material outside the 5-foot perimeter is still the responsibility of the property owner.
5. The connection from the sewer lateral to the sewer main is the responsibility of the City. A lateral sewer service line may be located in the front, side, or rear yard.
6. The Director of Public Works, upon approval by the City Administrator, is authorized to waive strict compliance with the requirements of this Policy, if the Director of Public Works determines that strict compliance with the terms of this Policy would be inconsistent with the intent of the Policy or would not be in the best interest of the City. 

This program funds the following work: 

1. Excavation, repair, or replacement of the defective portion of the lateral sewer line.
2. Backfilling and compaction of the disturbed portion of the site, rough graded, and covered with straw to minimize erosion.
3. The replacement or repair of sidewalks, driveways, and streets damaged or removed in order to accomplish the repair. Only the replacement of the portion of paved surface that must be removed or damaged to accomplish the sewer repair is covered under this program.
4. This program will fund installation of a yard cleanout only if sewer lateral funds are still available starting October 1st.
   1. The City may install an exterior sewer lateral yard cleanout. The sewer lateral cleanout cannot be in the right-of-way or an adjacent property, as it must be on the sewer lateral owner’s property.

This program will not cover the following work:

1. Repeat cablings of the sewer lateral line.
2. Minor/superficial cracks or misaligned pieces of sewer lateral line that do not interfere with the flow in the sewer lateral.
3. Sewer lateral lines that are infiltrated by roots. 
4. Removal of foreign objects (such as toys, rock, et cetera) from the sewer lateral.
5. Replacement of a sewer lateral with a “belly” or localized depression due to minor settling. 
6. A sewer lateral with a minor offset or a minor dropped joint.
7. Rerouting anything in the path of the sewer lateral line or that lies over the defective sanitary sewer lateral line. The City reserves the right to reroute the line or to require the property owner to move any accessory structures or landscaping amenities at the property owner’s expense. 
8. The City is not responsible for any damage caused by the contractor, including, but not limited to buried swimming pool systems, underground sprinkler systems, invisible dog fences, landscaping, or foundations.
9. Locating an existing exterior sanitary sewer lateral cleanout. 

1. Property owners seeking a sewer lateral repair under this program must contact the City’s Public Works Department and complete the Sewer Lateral application.
   1.  No permits will need to be obtained by the homeowner.
   2. All applicable permits will be the responsibility of the City’s contractor.
2. The City will be provided the results of the cabling and camera investigation work for review, which can take up to five business days.
3. The City will determine if the sewer lateral qualifies for repair.
   1. If YES, the City will coordinate repair activities with the City’s repair contractor, which may take up to two weeks to complete.
   2. If NO, the City will notify the property owner of the determination.

All investigations will be reviewed by Public Works and assessed as one of the following:

1. Emergency repair:
   1. Emergency repairs are considered 100% blocked sewer laterals and/or sewage actively flowing into the resident’s household.
   2. The City will attempt to coordinate expedited repair activities with a plumbing contractor to replace the section of the sewer lateral line that is blocked.
   3. A sewer lateral line which cannot be properly investigated (cable/camera) due to a blockage shall be considered 100% blocked and is eligible for emergency repair. 
   4. As part of this repair, if City staff determines that there are substantial deficiencies in the sewer lateral outside the area of the current blockage, the City of Crestwood may extend the limits of the sewer lateral repair to avoid future repairs. The City may cable and camera the remainder of the sewer lateral to determine the need for additional repairs, the cost of which is covered as part of this program.
   5. If the sewer lateral line repair work crosses over into a neighbor’s yard, the neighbor shall be required to sign a form giving consent for access to their property.
2. Routine repair:
   1. Routine repairs are considered broken, but flowing sewer laterals with no immediate danger of sewage backflowing into the household. 
   2. As part of this repair, the City of Crestwood may install an exterior sewer lateral cleanout.
   3. If the sewer lateral line repair crosses over into a neighbor’s yard, the neighbor shall be required to sign a form giving consent for access to their property. 
3. Not eligible for sewer lateral repair program:
   1. This category is for sewer lateral work not covered by the program.
   2.  Minor cracks and misaligned pipes that do not interfere with the sewage flow or flow path are not eligible.
   3. Sewer laterals that have been infiltrated by roots are not eligible. The property owner is responsible for periodic cabling maintenance of the sewer lateral to keep it free flowing and functional. 

The following items are the responsibility of the property owner. The City nor a City contractor will not be responsible for any of the following:

1. The property owner must provide access to their sanitary sewer lateral for the investigation contractor and repair contractor, both inside and outside the residence.
2. Landscaping features and facilities, sprinkler systems, dog fences, lights, structures, decks, and other improvements must be relocated prior to work commencing. If they are not relocated and are subsequently damaged during the course of the work, they will not be repaired by the City or the contractor. This is inclusive of all improvements at the site and on the route needed to access the investigation or repair location.
3. Groundcover restoration, such as grass or any other type of ground cover.
4. Finish grading of the site after repair work.
5. Future settlement along the length of the repair. 
6. Maintenance and protection of the sewer yard cleanout and yard cleanout protective cap is the responsibility of the homeowner. 
7. The sewer lateral cleanout cap is to be always in place, except when the sewer lateral is being serviced.
8. The sewer lateral cleanout is not to be utilized for drainage purposes.
9. Debris that has fallen or dropped down the sewer yard cleanout needs to be removed by the property owner.
10. No cooking oils, automotive oils, or grease products should be disposed of down the sewer lateral or clean out. 

An applicant who feels that City Staff has interpreted any portion of this policy incorrectly or denied their application may appeal to the Public Works Board within thirty (30) days of their denial. 

The City of Crestwood currently contracts with Tope Plumbing for camera, cable, and sewer investigation. 

1. The City’s cabling and camera investigation contract shall be fulfilled on a competitive bid basis.
2. This contract shall meet all requirements outlined in the purchasing policy of the City of Crestwood and applicable state laws.
3. The responsibility of this contract shall be: 
   1. Cleaning of blockages and tree roots using a cable and cutter inserted into the line through an exterior cleanout, interior cleanout, or roof vent. 
   2.  Investigation of the cause of the initial blockage by inserting a camera through the access point.
   3. Marking the approximate location of the blockage on the ground surface directly above the blockage, direction and depth. 

Nothing in this section should be interpreted as requiring a property owner to use the City’s camera and cabling contractor. Any property owner eligible for a sewer lateral repair may also elect to obtain three written bids for the sewer work. These bids must be provided to the City of Crestwood, who will then contract with the lowest responsible bidder to perform the necessary sewer lateral repair, up to the cost of the current contract. The City reserves the right to reject all bids if deemed not responsible by the Director of Public Works. Should this occur, the property owner will have the option of using the City contractor or obtaining three new written bids.

The City of Crestwood currently contracts with Enterprise Sewer and Drain, Inc. for sewer repair services.

1. The City’s repair contract shall be fulfilled on a competitive bid basis.
2. This repair contract shall meet all requirements outlined in the purchasing policy of the City of Crestwood and applicable state laws.
3. The responsibility of this contract shall be:
   1. Installation of appropriate sediment control devices prior to the excavation of the subject property.
   2. Excavation and repair of a portion or portions of the sewer lateral service line.
   3. Installation of a cleanout (only in the event of a repair) to facilitate the periodic maintenance of a lateral sewer service.
   4. Backfilling and compaction (jetting, tamping or other) of material from the excavation. All backfill material shall remain on site, and be rough graded, then covered with straw to minimize erosion. Fine grading will be the responsibility of the property owner.
   5. Repair or replacement of pavement (streets, private and public sidewalks, and driveways) directly impacted by the lateral service line repair.
   6. Removal of unnecessary sediment control devices and temporary stabilization of disturbed areas with straw.
   7. Procure any and all applicable permits issued by the City, St. Louis County and MSD.
   8. Any improvements damaged by the Contractor outside of the area necessary to access or complete the investigation will be the responsibility of the repair contractor. Destruction of any property corners by the contractor is the contractor’s responsibility to replace.
   9. Yard restoration is the property owners responsibility in accordance with section 8 of this policy. 

Nothing in this section should be interpreted as requiring a property owner to use the City’s repair contractor. Any property owner eligible for a sewer lateral repair may also elect to obtain three written bids for the sewer work. These bids must be provided to the City of Crestwood, who will then contract with the lowest responsible bidder to perform the necessary sewer lateral repair, up to the cost of the current contract. The City reserves the right to reject all bids if deemed not responsible by the Director of Public Works. Should this occur, the property owner will have the option of using the City contractor or obtaining three new written bids. 

In May of each year, city staff will provide the Board of Aldermen with a report consisting of the following:

1. The balance of the sewer lateral fund as of the first day of April.
2. The total annual amount of repair funds expended by the sewer lateral fund for each of the three preceding fiscal years.
3. The total number of repair applications received during each of the three preceding fiscal years.
4. The total number of repairs approved during each of the three preceding fiscal years, and the average cost per repair.