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Sewer Camera Inspection & Lateral Repair in Kirkwood, MO

Kirkwood runs its own sewer lateral insurance program. It pays a share of an approved repair, but only if you follow its steps in order.

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STL Sewer Camera is a referral service, not a plumbing company. We pass your request to an independent, licensed local sewer contractor, who quotes and does the work.

Kirkwood's program, step by step

  1. Apply online through the Kirkwood Public Portal and pay a $400 deposit.
  2. The City's contracted company does a video inspection and sends it to the City to decide whether the damage is eligible.
  3. Once the City authorizes the work, you get 3 bids from City-approved contractors.
  4. The lowest bidder does the work. You submit the signed City approval letter, the 3 bids, the itemized invoice and a lien waiver.
  5. The City pays the contractor 75% of the invoice directly. You pay the rest.

Eligibility: residential property with 6 or fewer units, the $28 annual sewer lateral fee on your property tax bill, and current on Kirkwood utilities. Properties not connected to MSD mains (for example, on septic) are excluded. Questions go to the Building Division at 314-822-5823 or bldginspections@kirkwoodmo.org.

Source for this section: City of Kirkwood, Sewer Lateral Repair Insurance Program.

What Kirkwood's program does not cover

  • Building drain pipe inside the home, under the basement or foundation, or within 1 ft of the outside foundation wall
  • Clearing roots and debris
  • Minor cracks or separated joints that show no infiltration or leaking
  • The outside cleanout, including the riser pipe
  • Laterals on new homes within 5 years of construction
  • Repair work done without prior City authorization
  • Structures, decorative concrete and pavers, and landscaping beyond seed and straw

Where a private contractor fits in Kirkwood

  • An emergency backup. Kirkwood's program brochure says the City's contracted camera company isn't available 24 hours a day. If you have a backup and the City won't have an opening for 48 hours, you may call a cabling company to clear the blockage. All of that work must be recorded on video, including the blockage itself, and only the cabling can be submitted (Kirkwood brochure).
  • Repairs the program doesn't cover, such as pipe under the house or within 1 ft of the foundation.
  • A pre-purchase scope before buying a Kirkwood home. About 16.5% of Kirkwood's housing units were built before 1940, and the median year built is 1962 (ACS 2020-2024).
  • A bid, if the contractor is on Kirkwood's approved list. Ask when you call.

Questions

How much does Kirkwood's sewer lateral program pay?

75% of the lowest bid from a City-approved contractor, paid directly to the contractor, for eligible properties with approved repairs (Kirkwood).

Do I need my own camera inspection to apply in Kirkwood?

Not for the application. After you apply and pay the $400 deposit, the City's contracted company does the program inspection (Kirkwood). A private inspection is still useful in an emergency, before a purchase, or for problems the program excludes.

Get a local sewer pro

Call (314) 916-4983 or send a request with your address, the problem and your timeline. It's free to ask and you don't have to hire.

Related pages

Sources

Program details were checked against these pages on October 28, 2026. Programs change, so confirm with your city or county before work starts. This site isn't affiliated with any government program or MSD.

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