Sewer Lateral Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City offer free, annual sewer cleanings to homeowners?
No. Sewer clean out services are not free. Our fees vary and are posted on the Sewer Lateral page.
However, at our discretion, the City may provide one (1) free video inspection of your private sewer lateral during regular hours (as posted on the Environmental Services page). These inspections use a scope and are performed on an as-requested basis. They may be postponed when staff are required to address higher priority situations (e.g. flooding and sewer lateral blockages).
If you're simply looking to reduce the risk of sewer backups, we've posted an Avoiding Sewer backups pamphlet. You can also learn more about avoiding the common sources of sewer blockages.
To request any service, please contact our Service Centre directly at 905-356-1355 (available 24/7). For non-emergencies only, you can also email us at [email protected].
Categories: Municipal Works, Sewer LateralWho owns and is responsible for water and sewer servicing?
Property owners own and are responsible for all of the water and sewer services and plumbing from property line all the way into their home.
This means that any leaks or pipe failures that occur on private property are the responsibility of the owner. This includes any failure of the inside water shut off valve before the water meter as well as any piping or connections to the water meter.
The water meter belongs to the City but is paid for by the property owner (through initial installation or building permit). It is the property owners responsibility to ensure the meter is kept in an appropriate environment that will not allow damage to occur to the meter, such as freezing temperatures. Damaged or frozen meters due to misuse are to be paid by the property owner.
The curb stop is at the property line and is the responsibility of the City unless it is damaged after the subdivision inspection.Categories: Municipal Works, Sewer Lateral, Water Meter
