Private Sewer Lateral Policy
LACSD is committed to reducing inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system. Excessive stormwater in the sewer can cause wastewater overflows with the potential to damage public health, property and the environment. LACSD conducts methodical repair and maintenance of its sewer mains to reduce these risks but private sewer laterals are an unknown contributor to stormwater inflow due to the unidentified condition of these pipes.
A private sewer lateral is the pipeline that connects a home’s wastewater flows to the District’s sewer collection pipeline. The connection to the sewer main is usually located in the street or near the property line. Private sewer laterals are owned and maintained by the property owner, including any part that extends into the street or public right of way.
Poorly operating or failing private sewer laterals allow Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) of stormwater which can lead to hydrological overloading of the sewer system during rain events contributing to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Additionally, the lack of the pipe’s integrity may promote ex-filtration which contaminates private and public property, resulting in a public health concern. Additionally, exfiltration and SSOs are a threat to the local receiving waters that they flow to.
In 2017, LACSD’s Board of Directors adopted the Private Sewer Lateral Compliance Policy, Ordinance 81 [link]. The purpose of the policy is to reduce I&I, exfiltration, and SSOs to and from privately owned sewer laterals. This policy requires inspections of private sewer laterals under certain conditions by a licensed plumber via Closed Circuit Television Video (CCTV). The full text of the policy can be read here. [link to Private Sewer Lateral Policy]
An inspection of a private sewer lateral is required under the following conditions:
When the sewer lateral is repaired or replaced
When a property is remodeled, and plumbing fixtures are changed
When two or more sewer overflows occur at a property within a two-year period
When a property changes from residential to commercial use
Whenever the District determines from its operation, maintenance or inspection of sewer facilities that a defect may be present
While not required, it is highly recommended for new home buyers to conduct an inspection of the private sewer lateral for their own protection prior to closing escrow.
Below is a list of licensed plumbers with the capability to conduct this type of inspection. LACSD does not endorse any licensed plumber and receives no stipend from any of the plumbers listed below. This information is provided as a resource for our customers.
Thrifty Plumbing & Heating Inc.-Lake Arrowhead, CA (909) 336-3394
O’Brien Plumbing -Lake Arrowhead, CA (909) 337-3743
Pinnacle Plumbing-Rim Forest, CA (800) 399-6113
Brothers Plumbing Services, Inc.-Lake Arrowhead, CA (909) 966-5056
Big John’s Plumbing-Riverside, CA (951) 934-3931 bigjohnsplumbing@yahoo.com
Big Mike’s Rooter & Plumbing-San Bernardino, CA (909) 888-8736 bigmikes2012@gmail.com
Option One-San Bernardino, CA (800) 905-7115
Roto-Rooter-Inland Empire (909) 397-0567
Schuelke Plumbing-Yucaipa, CA (909) 531-5316
We invite any and all Licensed Plumbers that do this type of CCTV inspection to send us their contact information and we will add them to our current list. The information can be emailed to the following: custservice@lakearrowheadcsd.com.
Click the Private Sewer Lateral form here that is to be completed by the plumber.
