Sewer Line Responsibilities in New York City: What’s the City’s Job vs. Yours?

Sewer Line Repair

Have you ever been guilty of ignoring gurgling toilets or slow drains because you thought it would go away? Or you tried to fix the problem yourself , only to have the basement flood the next day? It happens to a lot of people. In New York City, it can be easy to assume the city will take care of any plumbing disaster. Not so fast. Some pipes are yours to deal with and some are the cities.

We will walk you through how the sewer system works, who pays for what, and how to know when to call a plumber or the city. You will learn how to avoid making mistakes and keep your pipes flowing.

What’s Underground

Imagine there are two types of pipes underground. The city owns the big pipe that runs under the street, called the sewer main. It serves many homes and carries their waste to the city’s treatment plant. You own the smaller pipe that runs from your home to the sewer main, called the sewer lateral. Even though a part of it runs under the street, you are responsible for it in New York City.

Sewer Line Responsibilities in New York City: What’s the City’s Job vs. Yours?

The sewer lateral has two parts, the upper part from the house to the sidewalk or property line and the lower part from there to the sewer main. While other cities sometimes take care of the lower part, in New York City, you are responsible for both parts. The city only repairs the sewer main.

What the City Fixes

The City of New York, through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), repairs and maintains the sewer mains. If a main pipe collapses or becomes clogged, the city will send workers to fix it. If there are multiple homes on your street having the problem at the same time, chances are the water main is the problem. In those cases, you call 311 or DEP and they take care of it. The city will also upgrade sewers and inspect mains to avoid larger issues.

What Homeowners Fix

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of your sewer lateral. That means if it cracks, clogs or leaks, you have to find a plumber to do the work, and pay for it. Common signs of trouble are::

  • Slow drains or gurgling toilets.
  • Bad smells coming from sinks or basements.
  • Soggy patches in the yard or unusually green grass over the pipe.

The factors above usually suggest your lateral is the problem. If your plumber determines the lateral has a blockage or break, you are responsible for fixing the problem. Sometimes this involves digging under your yard or even under the street to replace the pipe.

Sewer Line Responsibilities in New York City: What’s the City’s Job vs. Yours?

Who to Call During a Backup

If you notice sewage backing up into your house, call a plumber first. They will inspect the lateral with various tools including a camera. If they find a blockage in your pipe or a break, you will need to repair the pipe. You should keep their report for your records. If the plumber finds nothing wrong with your lateral or your neighbors also have sewer back-ups, call DEP through the 311 number. They will then come out to inspect the main and if necessary to clear the main. Don’t hire anyone to work on the main until you have contacted the city’s health department; DEP will not reimburse you for any work on the main.

Preventing Problems

You can do a lot to avoid sewer headaches:

  • Only flush toilet paper. Don’t flush wipes or throw paper towels and feminine products into the toilet.
  • Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain; they harden and clog pipes.
  • Keep trees away from your sewer line, because large roots can break pipes.
  • Have a plumber inspect your lateral every few years, especially if your home is old.
  • Think about installing a backflow valve. This device stops sewage from flowing back into your house if the main gets overwhelmed during heavy rain.

Shared Lines and Special Cases

In certain buildings or row houses in New York City, two or more homes may share a lateral. If your home shares a pipe, you and your neighboring homeowner(s) should have an agreement on the handling of repairs. For example, if a broken lateral creates a sinkhole or causes a sewage leak onto city property, DEP can issue a violation requiring the owner to repair it immediately to avoid fines.

Key Points

In New York City, the city takes care of the big sewer mains, while homeowners must fix and maintain the smaller pipes that connect their homes to those mains. When problems happen, start with a plumber. If they find nothing wrong in your lateral, call the city. By knowing your responsibilities and taking care of your pipes, you can avoid messy and expensive repairs.