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SmackoverHawg 
Arkansas Fan
Member since Oct 2011
5769 posts
| Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:15 pm)
Our sewer line ruptured under a city road well off my property, but just prior to reaching the main. Who is responsible for the repair? Or does it depend on the city or township?
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Joshjrn 
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
4179 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:23 pm to SmackoverHawg)
I could be wrong, but I would assume that the city owns those pipes, and as such, would be responsible for repair.
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NC_Tigah
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2003
40137 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:23 pm to SmackoverHawg)
quote:
city
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SmackoverHawg
Arkansas Fan
Member since Oct 2011
5769 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:28 pm to NC_Tigah)
The city is saying we are responsible all the way to the main. They are trying to bill us for street excavation and repair in addition to the sewer line repair.
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Joshjrn
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
4179 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:33 pm to SmackoverHawg)
Did the city not pay to have the line installed? If so, I would imagine that you have no right to demand that the city remove the line from your property. If so, why on earth would you pay to repair a line you neither own nor control?
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SmackoverHawg
Arkansas Fan
Member since Oct 2011
5769 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:46 pm to Joshjrn)
quote:
Did the city not pay to have the line installed? If so, I would imagine that you have no right to demand that the city remove the line from your property. If so, why on earth would you pay to repair a line you neither own nor control?
That was my point. If I am responsible for repairs on that property, can I not assume ownership? If so, I'm putting a toll booth on that MFer.
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Joshjrn
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
4179 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 6:54 pm to SmackoverHawg)
Plus, you had no say in the quality of the materials or workmanship used when installing the line. It would hardly make sense for the city to be able to, hypothetically, install 1/16" PVC under a $50k stretch of road knowing you would have to foot the repairs when it inevitably failed.
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chadau79 
Auburn Fan
Member since Sep 2009
1925 posts
 Online
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:03 pm to Joshjrn)
The city should have a cleanout installed on the right of way. You are responsible for the cleanout up to your house. The city is responsible for the rest.
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
44012 posts
Online
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:09 pm to SmackoverHawg)
I think it probably varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. But in many places the individual owner is responsible up to the main line which may be under the street. You could be responsible for the entire burden including the street repair to dig into the break.
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LSURussian
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2005
63205 posts
Online
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:10 pm to SmackoverHawg)
There are sewer lines in Arkansas??? 
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MoreOrLes
LSU Fan
Member since Nov 2008
14907 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:12 pm to SmackoverHawg)
FACT
If located between your cleanout, which is located just inside your property, and the main....its the city's problem.
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NC_Tigah
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2003
40137 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:12 pm to LSURussian)
quote:
There are sewer lines in Arkansas???
 You are incorrigible
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
44012 posts
Online
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:19 pm to MoreOrLes)
quote:
If located between your cleanout, which is located just inside your property, and the main....its the city's problem.
Google "sewer line repair responsibility' and you will find that is not a fact in many jurisdictions.
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MoreOrLes
LSU Fan
Member since Nov 2008
14907 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:22 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
Specifically what are you talking about?
I googled and it refers to the question relative to easement.
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geauxturbo
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2007
1710 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:25 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
Call your city representative, Council Person, or whatever you have. I got sued for a break in a sewer line rupturing and sinking a sidewalk. Person tripped, I got sued. It was the city's responsibility. My rep was very helpful in getting shite done when numerous phone calls by me failed. All city's responsibilty. Should be in your ordanances.
Had sewage line under the street go as well. All beyond the main. All city's responsibilty.
This post was edited on 11/30 at 8:29 pm
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junkfunky
LSU Fan
I can't find my village
Member since Jan 2011
9809 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:29 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
In BR the city is responsible for the first five feet off the main.
ETA: that's in the backyard so it's probably at the servitude for both.
This post was edited on 11/30 at 8:33 pm
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Ace Midnight
LSU Fan
Ball, LA - Home, Sweet Home
Member since Dec 2006
14883 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:30 pm to SmackoverHawg)
quote:
The city is saying we are responsible all the way to the main. They are trying to bill us for street excavation and repair in addition to the sewer line repair.
That's probably true (that you're responsible all the way to the main). However, you may have some recourse depending on the notice requirement, did they offer you the opportunity to contract the work, etc. Depending on the size of the bill, it might be worth hiring an attorney. If not, try to negotiate with them (what do you have to lose?)
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CarrolltonTiger
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
44012 posts
Online
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:44 pm to junkfunky)
quote:
In BR the city is responsible for the first five feet off the main.
I was told the same thing (5') for a waste water line (not sewerage) in NO by Sewerage and Water board, which is about the distance from the street to the sidewalk. I've also heard up to the side walk being the responsibility of S&WB in NO.
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rhodester
LSU Fan
Mandeville, LA
Member since Dec 2007
1177 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 8:49 pm to chadau79)
quote:
The city should have a cleanout installed on the right of way. You are responsible for the cleanout up to your house. The city is responsible for the rest.
This
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tom
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2007
2225 posts
| re: Fight with city over sewer line. Need advice. (Posted on 11/30/12 at 9:02 pm to CarrolltonTiger)
quote:
I was told the same thing (5') for a waste water line
I'm no lawyer, but if they claim the right of way, I would think they are claiming the ground underneath and thus the sewer pipe under the road.
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