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Who owns the sewer lateral in Monterey Park?

Monterey Park's own sewer FAQ says owners maintain the lateral, even under the sidewalk.

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Bottom line

Per the City of Monterey Park's sewer FAQ, the city maintains the public sewer main and the property owner maintains the lateral, including the part under the sidewalk and street. Roots from a city tree do not change that.

Contents
  1. Two pipes, two owners
  2. What the FAQ spells out
  3. Roots and what the city suggests
  4. How we approach a backed-up lateral
  5. Prevention
  6. Before you call

Two pipes, two owners

The city's sewer page says Public Works is responsible for the public sewer main in the street or easement. Each home or business has its own connection to that main, called a sewer lateral, and it is the property owner's responsibility up to the point where it joins the main.

The city describes its own system as gravity pipes and manholes: about 126 miles of main line and roughly 2,498 manholes.

House drains then Upper lateral on your lot then Lower lateral under sidewalk and street then Public sewer main1House drains2Upper lateral on your lot3Lower lateral under sidewalk andstreet4Public sewer main
Owner handles the first three; the city handles the main.

What the FAQ spells out

  • The lateral serves one property and is not considered public
  • Owners maintain the full length, including the lower lateral in the public right-of-way
  • This includes root intrusion even when the roots come from a city-owned tree
  • The city does not offer financial assistance for private laterals

Roots and what the city suggests

For roots, the city recommends root barriers and chemical root control to stop growth, choosing non-invasive trees near the line, and, for existing roots, root cutting or hydro-jetting.

Monterey Park service for this

Mature trees and older sewer laterals keep Monterey Park drains busy. For this job, start with our drain and sewer rooting page, then send us a note or text (310) 628-9399.

How we approach a backed-up lateral

If the line needs repair, not just clearing, see our guide to sewer line repair in Monterey Park, which covers the city's three repair methods.

We start at the cleanout, run a cable sized to the pipe and cut through roots and buildup. When the line keeps coming back, a camera look shows whether the pipe itself has cracked or shifted.

Cable rooting: Cuts roots at the joint; Clears flow quickly; May regrow later. Hydro-jetting: Scours the pipe wall; Removes buildup and roots; Needs a clear access pointCable rooting• Cuts roots at the joint• Clears flow quickly• May regrow laterHydro-jetting• Scours the pipe wall• Removes buildup and roots• Needs a clear access point
Two methods the city names for existing roots.

Prevention

The city also asks residents to keep fats, oils and grease out of the system and lists FOG source control among its spill-prevention efforts.

Before you call

Does Monterey Park help pay for lateral repair?

No. The city's sewer FAQ says it does not offer financial assistance for repair or replacement of private laterals.

Who owns the part of the lateral under the sidewalk?

The property owner, according to the FAQ.

How do I know if the problem is the lateral or the main?

If several fixtures back up together or a manhole in the street overflows, tell the city. A backup at one house with a clear street usually points to the lateral.

Cited sources