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VILLAGE OF
LAKEVIEW
SEWER SYSTEM
SEWER LATERAL CLEANING
POLICY
The Village sewer system Ordinance #29, Section 9:A, states that
the Village is responsible for the installation and maintenance
of the sewer lateral from the sewer main to the property line or
the road right-of-way. The property Owner is responsible for
installation and maintenance of the sewer lateral from the road
right-of-way or property line to the structure requiring service
(See Exhibit #1).
The Village does not have an affirmative duty to provide lateral
cleaning services except with respect to its own lines (i.e.,
the main and that portion of a lateral between main and property
line). The Village retains the lawful right to refuse service if
a clean out is not provided or the obstruction is not within
that portion of the Village maintained lateral or main.
In order to access a lateral a clean out is necessary. The clean
out must be connected to the lateral and then extend to grade
and must include a removable, accessible cover. This allows a
cleaning device to enter through the clean out and into the
lateral. Clean outs are typically located a few feet from the
structure where the lateral exits through the exterior
foundation.
The Village has developed this policy to clarify maintenance
options available to sewer customers.
1. DEFINITIONS:
a. Owner: The Owner of record as identified on the Village’s tax
rolls.
b. Village: Village of Lakeview
c. Structure: House, business, buildings, structures receiving
sewer service.
c. Obstruction: Plug, slow flow, stoppage or blockage of sewer
main or lateral.
d. Lateral: The sewer line connecting the Village sewer main and
a structure.
e. Clean Out: A piece of pvc pipe or similar material
constructed in accordance with all applicable codes, connected
to the lateral which proceeds from the main to the structure,
and is extended to finish grade. Must be in a location that is
readily accessible and have a removable top. The clean out can
be no smaller than four (4) inch inside diameter and will have
sweeping elbow or wye connection not greater than thirty three
(33) degrees.
f. Restoration: Repair of any damage caused to property.
2. NOTIFICATION:
a. An owner shall have an affirmative obligation to notify the
Village in the event an obstruction is occurring or has occurred
on premises within the Village.
b. Upon receiving notification of an obstruction from an owner,
the Village will inspect the sewer main flow.
3. INSPECTION:
a. Upon receiving notification the Village will inspect and
verify the sewer main is operating properly, by visually
inspecting the flow of wastewater flowing through the sewer
main.
b. If requested by the Owner the Village will inspect, via a
clean out, to confirm the location of the obstruction. Evidence
of an obstruction must exist prior to initiating steps to clean
lateral.
c. The Village shall also inspect any existing “as-constructed
sewer maps” to determine direction, depth and location of a
particular lateral.
d. During inspection, the area surrounding the lateral location
shall be inspected for obvious reason to cause an obstruction
such as, installation of new utilities (gas, cable, electrical,
water and sewer), sign posts, utility poles, trees or other
excavation activities.
e. Owner shall be questioned to determine if there are any known
reasons causing the obstruction.
f. Village will document all information resulting from the
inspection.
4. DETERMINATION:
a. Once a determination is made as to possible cause and
location of an obstruction, Village shall notify Owner of the
response activity options, responsibility and possible cost to
Owner, that may be required, to clear the obstruction.
5. RESPONSIBILITY/RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
a. Where proper notification has not been provided to the
Village in accordance with the terms of this policy so as to
allow for proper inspection and determination, the Owner may be
responsible for all costs of service performed, whether by the
Village or third party contractor, and shall be responsible for
any damage caused to Owners or to Village’s property. The
Village shall neither accept nor assume responsibility for
obstruction-related costs or damages absent compliance with
terms of this policy. If the Owner first contacts the Village in
accordance with this policy the Village will investigate the
complaint and, if the obstruction is determined to be on the
Village’s side of the lateral, the Village will pay any
associated costs of inspecting and cleaning the lateral.
b. If Village fails to respond within two (2) hours after
notification in accordance with this policy, Owner may contact a
contractor to attempt to clear the obstruction. Village will
only be responsible for such costs if the obstruction is found
to be between the right-of-way or property line and sewer main.
Any costs associated with a contractor’s cleaning will only be
paid upon receipt by the Village of a statement from the
contractor which includes certification that the obstruction was
located between the property line or right-of-way and sewer
main. Where it is determined that multiple obstructions existed
on both sides of the property line or right-of-way, the Owner
and Village will share equally any costs associated with the
cleaning.
c. It is in the best interest of both Owner and Village to be
present during the lateral inspection and cleaning. This will
help with verification of responsibility.
6. SERVICE AGREEMENT:
a. Prior to Village performing any work on private property, as
it relates to the cleaning of the Owners lateral, the Owner must
sign a Service Agreement. (See Exhibit #2) The agreement will
contain a hold harmless statement, and will identify who will be
responsible for cost, how the cost of the service is to be paid,
as well as a statement signed by the owner granting permission
to provide the service. ( NO SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED IF OWNER
REFUSES TO SIGN AGREEMENT)
b. Where the obstruction is in the Village’s portion, the
Village only needs to ask for and obtain permission from the
Owner to perform the service from private property.
7. CLEAN OUT:
a. Owner is required to provide a clean out of a sufficient size
and location to accommodate the cleaning of the lateral. Failure
to provided a clean out will negate the Villages ability to
provide for the lateral cleaning service or any associated
costs.
8. CLEARING/CLEANING LATERAL: After execution of a Service
Agreement by the Owner, the Village shall proceed to clean a
lateral in accordance with the following process.
a. The Village will use a high pressure jetter to clean the
lateral.
b. Village will review “as built plans” to determine direction
and location of lateral.
c. Ensure clean out accessibility.
1. Village will not search or excavate for the clean out, this
is the Owners responsibility.
d. The Village will determine location of any obstruction
encountered.
e. The Village will complete response form (See Exhibit #3).
f. Due care shall be taken to avoid damage to Owners property.
g. Village is not responsible for restoration of Owners property
when cleaning lateral.
h. When a obstruction occurs in a lateral which can not be
cleared by the Village, the Owner will be notified of this
occurrence and will be given a list of contractors who can
perform the maintenance required. The Village will mark the
location of the obstruction as closely as possible to minimize
size of excavation required to locate obstruction. The Village
will not dig or excavate on a private sewer lateral to effect
any type of repair or maintenance.
i. The Village does not routinely clean owners lateral if there
is no indication that an obstruction has or is occurring.
9. COST:
a. The Owner is required to reimburse the Village for the
service provided in cleaning an obstruction from Owner’s portion
of the lateral.
b. The first hour of cleaning, which includes the equipment
response time, shall cost One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars
($125.00). After the first hour the cost will be Thirty Two
Dollars ($32.00) every fifteen(15) minutes thereafter.
c. When a cleaning has been performed and it is not possible to
determine responsibility or location of obstruction, Owner will
pay half the cost and the Village will pay the remaining.
d. A copy of the Service Agreement and Sewer Response form will
be submitted by the Sewer Department to the Village
Administration. Administration will send a copy of the
information and an invoice to Owner. Payment will be due within
thirty (30) days of the date invoiced.
Policy is to become effective immediately upon its adoption by
Council. This Sewer Lateral Cleaning Policy was adopted by the
Lakeview Village Council on May 13, 2002.
YEAS: Winter, Earhart, Rasmussen, Lund, Collard and Schottle
NAYS:
ABSENT: Lobert
SEWER LATERAL CLEANING POLICY ADOPTED: May 13, 2002
Wally J. Delamater, Clerk
I Wally J. Delamater, the Clerk for the Village of Lakeview,
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of
a policy adopted by the Village Council of the Village of
Lakeview at a regular meeting held on May 13, 2002.
Wally J. Delamater, Clerk
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