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Private Sewer Lateral Repair in St. Louis

The sewer lateral is the pipe that runs from your house to the MSD main. When it breaks, the owner is responsible. Here is how repairs and the local programs work.

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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.

Whose pipe is it?

MSD says the lateral line, including the connection to the public sewer, is private property, and that maintaining and repairing it is the property owner's responsibility. MSD does not recommend specific plumbers (MSD). Repairs can be expensive. St. Louis County says a lateral repair can cost as much as $15,000 (St. Louis County), and University City describes typical repairs as roughly $3,000 to $8,500 (University City).

Who helps pay, by location

WhereWhat the program does (per the official page)
City of St. LouisRepairs severe breaks under the public right-of-way at no fee if taxes are paid and the $28 fee is assessed. Breaks under private property, and clearing clogs or roots, are not covered (City SLRP).
KirkwoodCovers 75% of the lowest bid from a City-approved contractor. You get 3 bids after the City authorizes the work, and the City pays the contractor directly (Kirkwood).
Webster GrovesThe City's page says it pays 80% of the lowest of 3 itemized bids, up to $3,500, or up to $8,000 if the repair is in the street (Webster Groves). A 2018 news report described a vote to move to 70%, so confirm the current percentage (Webster-Kirkwood Times).
University CityPays the first $2,500 of an approved repair. The City writes the specifications and bids the job to participating drainlayers (University City, program information).
FlorissantThe City's own sewer crew repairs approved defects from the main up to 5 feet from the foundation. A $300 deposit is refunded after an approved repair (Florissant).
Unincorporated St. Louis CountyThe County bids the work to contractors on its Repair List and pays the contractor after final inspection. You don't choose the repair contractor (County application packet, rules).

Missouri law lets cities, and the County for its unincorporated area, charge a voter-approved yearly fee of up to $50 on homes with six or fewer units to fund lateral repairs (RSMo 249.422). Fees, splits, caps and exclusions vary, so read your city's page or call it before work starts. Some programs won't pay for work done before they approve it. Kirkwood, for example, excludes repair work done without prior City authorization (Kirkwood).

Things programs commonly exclude

  • Clearing clogs and roots (City of St. Louis, Kirkwood, Webster Groves)
  • Pipe under the house, or within a few feet of the foundation (Kirkwood: within 1 ft; Webster Groves: under any part of the home; Florissant: within 5 ft)
  • Minor cracks, bellies or separated joints that aren't leaking (Kirkwood, Webster Groves)
  • Landscaping beyond seed and straw, decorative concrete, decks and other structures

Sources: City SLRP, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Florissant.

How a repair usually goes

  1. Clear the line if it is blocked, then run a camera inspection to find and locate the defect.
  2. Check your city's program before any digging, and follow its order of steps (deposit, City inspection, bids, approval letter).
  3. The contractor pulls permits and calls in utility locates, then repairs the bad section by open-cut excavation or, where it fits, a trenchless method.
  4. Backfill, inspection, and paperwork for any reimbursement.

Questions

Does MSD pay to fix my sewer lateral?

No. MSD says the lateral line, including its connection, is private property, and the owner maintains and repairs it (MSD). University City likewise notes that MSD only repairs the sewer main (University City).

I live in unincorporated St. Louis County. Can I pick my own repair contractor?

Not through the County program. After the County approves your application, it bids the work to contractors on its Repair List and pays the one it hires. Your part is hiring a licensed plumber or drainlayer to clear the line and certify the need for repair (County SLRP, application packet).

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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