Who Is Responsible for the Sewer Lateral in Lancaster, PA?

What are the 3 parts of a sewer connection?

The 3 parts of a sewer connection are listed below.

• The building drain runs inside the house to the foundation wall.
• The sewer lateral runs from the foundation to the public sewer.
• The public sewer main runs under the street.

Does the city fix a broken sewer lateral in Lancaster?

No, the city does not fix a broken sewer lateral on private property in Lancaster, and the property owner hires a plumber for the repair.

What should you do when the sewer lateral breaks?

The 4 things you should do when the sewer lateral breaks are listed below.

1. Book a sewer camera inspection to find the break.
2. Ask the plumber to locate the break relative to the property line.
3. Confirm the ownership split with the city or sewer authority.
4. Get the permit for any digging in the street.

When should you call a plumber?

You should call a plumber in the 4 situations below.

• Sewage backs up into the house.
• A camera shows a break or roots.
• A sinkhole forms over the line.
• The street needs opening for the repair.

Related plumbing problems and next steps

How much does the plumbing repair cost?

The plumbing repair cost depends on the repair: a cracked sewer pipe repair costs $600–$1,050, and sewer line replacement costs $1,388–$5,323, according to HomeAdvisor. Sewer line repair prices and local plumbers are on the sewer line repair in the Lancaster area page.

What is a related plumbing problem?

A related plumbing problem is tree roots in sewer line, and the tree roots in sewer line guide lists its causes and first steps.

Written and fact-checked by the Lancaster PA Plumbers editorial team using HomeAdvisor, EPA WaterSense and City of Lancaster data. Last updated October 29, 2026.