The Residential Sewer Lateral Repair Program safeguards Duckett Creek Sanitary District customers from expensive sewer lateral repairs or replacements. Homeowners are responsible for the care and upkeep of their individual sewer lateral.
Residential sewer laterals are the pipes that discharge wastewater from a residence to the main sewer. Sewer laterals can become faulty due to various conditions. Shifting and cracked pipes can occur due to forces from ground conditions including water, dry ground conditions, roots, etc. If these defects have caused a sewer backup, the defect can be repaired through the program.
The Residential Sewer Lateral Repair Program is designed to take the financial burden off the individual homeowner. The program will cover eligible sewer lateral repairs from the residence’s foundation to the sewer main.
Contact Information
Phone: 636-498-8156
E-Mail: lat-program@duckettcreek.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sewer Lateral Repair Program?
The Residential Sewer Lateral Program provides assistance for the repair of the sewer laterals that connect each residence to public sewers.
How is the program funded?
In April 2016, customers in the Duckett Creek Sanitary District voted to approve a proposition to fund the program with an annual fee not to exceed $36.00. (The District will only collect $28.00/year at this time.)
Who is eligible for the program?
Residential customers in the Duckett Creek Sanitary District, who are not covered by a similar municipal program. This includes single -family homes, duplexes, villas, or condominiums (that have 6 or less units). Properties that are not located within the District boundaries are not eligible.
My city has a similar program. Am I included in their program?
Probably but it would be best for individual homeowners to call their city to make sure they are included.
What if I already have private lateral service protection?
We encourage homeowners who have purchased another private service, to evaluate if they want to continue paying in addition to the District’s. Customers within District boundaries (not within a municipality who offers a lateral program) will be charged the annual $28.00 fee.
How do I seek assistance?
Homeowners must submit an application along with their paid receipt for the prior year’s real estate taxes and a $300.00 application fee. Once the District establishes the homeowner is eligible, a technician will call to set up an appointment to video the sewer lateral in question.
Why do I have to pay $300 with my application? I already pay $28/year.
The $300.00 is required for the video inspection. If the video deems the lateral is eligible for repair the $300.00 will be refunded. If the video shows there is no need for a repair the homeowner will be refunded the deposit minus the cost of the video.
What if I have a problem on weekends or after hours?
If for any reason you have a sewer backup in your house after hours please call our emergency number 636-447-4944. We will dispatch a team to assess the problem. If the problem is determined to be in your lateral, you will need to get the lateral cleared so that we can proceed with the repair process.
Who chooses the contractor to do the repair work?
The District does. The District requests bids for normal work associated with a lateral repair or replacement. The request for lateral repair contractors will be offered each year.
What repairs are eligible under the District program?
- Repairs to private sewer laterals from the exterior building foundation wall to the public sewer main. (Does not include grinder pumps, septic tanks or private manifold systems)
- Required street, sidewalk, or driveway pavement replacement
- Seed for yard repair
- Permits and administrative costs
What repairs are ineligible under the District program?
- Repair, relocation or damage to structures, retaining walls, swimming pools, sprinkler systems, electronic dog fences, and landscaping
- Damage caused by sewer lateral backup
- Repairs or videos performed prior to applying into the program
- Grinder pumps
- Septic tanks
- Private common manifolds
- Third party damage