The sanitary lateral pipe connects you to the City's sewer system

Every property receiving sewer service from the City of Minneapolis has at least one sanitary lateral pipe.

You own your sanitary lateral(s), including the connection to the City sewer main

You are responsible for all:

• Maintenance
• Repairs

A cleanout will help you access your sanitary lateral.

The City owns and maintains the sewer main

We are responsible for:

• Maintaining City-owned sanitary sewer main line pipes.
• Ensuring you can access and connect to a City-owned sewer main line from your property.
• Collecting and sending wastewater to the Metropolitan Council's wastewater treatment plant in St. Paul.

Learn more about the Metropolitan Council's wastewater treatment plant

Sanitary lateral pipes and connections

You are responsible for

• Connecting them to the the City's main sewer line.
• Keeping them cleaned out so water can flow through.
• Repairing or replacing them if they clog, crack or deteriorate.

What they do

• Carry wastewater from your toilets, sinks, laundry and more to the City's main sewer line. 

If you don't maintain them

• Wastewater could back up into your basement
• Groundwater could flow into and clog the City sewer lines

Sewer cleanout

You are responsible for

• Keeping them cleaned

What they do

• Allow you to access and maintain your sanitary lateral pipes.

How to identify them

• About four inches in diameter
• Capped with a steel or plastic cover
• Usually in your basement or front yard, close to an exterior wall of your property

If you can't find one on your property

• Contact a plumber to help you find or install one.