Sonoma County Considers Ammendment to Sewer Lateral Ordinance

In an effort to protect groundwater quality, the Sonoma County Water Agency, along with a group of county sewer districts, have proposed amendments to their respective ordinances. These changes would introduce new requirements for inspection, maintenance, and repairs of sewer laterals.

Similar requirements have been in effect in Marin County for awhile now and have helped to address a number of important issues - including safeguarding groundwater quality. We think it's a good step for Sonoma County to take - and high time.

The sewer lateral is the pipe that conveys wastewater from a home to a main sewer system pipeline. The "main" then transfers the collected wastewater to the local treatment facility. When the lateral line is damaged both precipitation and groundwater can infiltrate the line and add to the load being transported to the sewer plant for treatment, potentially overloading capacity at the plant. Wastewater in the pipe can also leach out into the surrounding ground and mix with groundwater. Breaks also give roots an opportunity to work their way into the line and create more damage to the pipe. A homeowner may not be aware of a problem until the line nearly collapses or the roots block enough of the pipe to cause a backup.

The proposed changes would require, among other things, inspection of lines before a sale or change in ownership of a property and when a building permit is pulled for an additional toilet installation.

If you'd like more information about the likely changes in store for Sonoma County, you can visit the water agency's website or contact Project Manager Kevin Booker by email or phone at 707-521-1865.