Who is responsible for sewer repairs?

The Lake Berryessa Resort Improvement District (LBRID) maintains all public sewer mains, and lower laterals within its service area (PDF) which includes Unit 2 of the Berryessa Estates subdivision. This includes ~35,000 ft of sewer mainline that is located both within public streets and easements dedicated for LBRID’s use.

Each residential building has a separate connection to the public sewer main line which is called a sewer lateral. Each sewer lateral has two components:

  • Lower lateral – from the curb to the street (District’s responsibility)
  • Upper lateral – from the curb to the house and beyond (property owner’s responsibility)

It is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and repair the upper sewer lateral from the house to the property line cleanout. LBRID maintains the lower sewer lateral and main line. The cleanout is typically located behind the property line and is the connection point between the upper and lower lateral. This cleanout is designed to go one direction (downstream) and cannot be used by homeowners or plumbers to clean the upper lateral. The cap on most cleanouts are designed to fit loosely, allowing it to come off in the event of a backup in the lower lateral or sewer main.

Show All Answers

1. Who is responsible for sewer repairs?
2. How can I find out where a sewer problem is?
3. Sewage is backing up into my house/building through overflowing toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwasher, and/or washing machines. What should I do?
4. Sewage is overflowing from a cleanout or manhole onto the ground, driveway, street, etc. What should I do?
5. I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?
6. I paid a plumber to repair my sewer lateral line. It turns out the problem was occurring in the public sewer line. Can I be reimbursed for my plumbing bill?
7. How do I proceed with a sewer lateral repair problem?
8. Is there information available on the history or cleaning frequency of a sewer line?
9. There is a manhole cover in my neighborhood that rattles every time a vehicle drives over it. What can I do about it?
10. What can I do about terrible sewer odors?
11. Can I pour paint that down the drain?
12. Is there any assistance for low-income households?
13. How can I connect to an existing sewer?
14. Can I tour the wastewater treatment plant?
15. I know I shouldn’t flush old medications down the toilet; where can I take them?