Property Owner Responsible for Maintenance of Sanitary Sewer Service Lines
As your home ages, so do the sanitary service lines serving each home. By Village Code, maintenance of the sanitary sewer service line is the responsibility of the property owner. The sanitary service line is the sewer connection between a residence or business to the Village main. Periodically these sanitary service lines may require rodding or root cutting, installation of cleanouts, or in some cases replacement of some or all of the line.
When sewer problems occur, follow these suggestions to avoid unnecessary work and/or expense:
- If the sewer is not functioning, call the Public Works Department. An employee will inspect the sewer main to determine whether or not the problem is the Village’s responsibility. Call 847.368.5800 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, or on weekends, contact the Police Desk at 847.368.5300.
- If, in fact, the problem is in the homeowner’s service line, a licensed and bonded plumbing company should be called to see that the sewer service line is properly evaluated for any corrective action.
- In certain cases, more extensive work may be required. This work may include the installation of exterior cleanouts to facilitate TV inspection and/or rodding, or a partial or complete replacement of the sewer line. A building permit will be required for any of this work requiring excavation.
- Before signing any contract for sewer repair work, call the Village’s Plumbing Inspector at 847.368.5580. You will be informed of the required permits and procedures, and you can learn whether the Village has a record of any outstanding complaints on the contractor. With any contracted service, obtain three quotes before hiring. It is recommended that the contractor pay for the building permit and bond, making the contractor liable for any necessary repairs to the street, parkway, or sidewalk.