Belleville’s old combined sewer system
Belleville built its sewer in 1912, and much of it is combined: storm water and sewage share one pipe. In a heavy rain the pipe fills, and the backup finds the lowest drain it can. The city’s guide for homeowners names gutters and downspouts tied into laterals as a major contributor, and says plainly that the city is not automatically liable for a backup in your house.
The Sewer Lateral Repair Program
Since July 7, 2008, Belleville has paid for lateral repairs between the property line and the main. For a house, the program covers 100 percent up to $15,000, with a $100 deductible; for commercial property it splits the cost 50/50 up to $15,000. It is funded by a sewer fee of 2 cents a day.
The owner still pays for the stretch from the foundation to the property line, and for the diagnosis, which has to come from a licensed and bonded company. Ask before any digging starts which side of the property line the break is on.
Permits and the inspector
The city wants a call to the treatment plant, 618-233-7146, the day before work starts and again for the final inspection. Repairs stay open until the inspector has seen them, and a repair that gets buried uninspected is dug back up at the contractor’s expense.