Does Your Village Cover the Cost of Sewer Replacement? What Homeowners Should Know:

Wondering if your village pays for sewer replacement? Learn when homeowners are responsible, when villages may help, and why sewer inspections matter.

Does Your Village Cover the Cost of Sewer Replacement?

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is:

“If my sewer line breaks, does the village pay for it?”

The answer depends on where the problem is located, what type of sewer line is involved, and the rules of your specific village or municipality.

In many communities, the public sewer main is maintained by the village, but the private sewer lateral — the pipe connecting your home to the public sewer system — is often the homeowner’s responsibility.

For example, Skokie explains that the sewer lateral connecting a home to the public sewer system belongs to the homeowner, not the Village, and the homeowner is responsible for keeping it in good working order.  Des Plaines code also states that private landowners are responsible for maintenance, repair, and replacement of lateral sewer lines connecting structures to public sewer mains.

What Is a Sewer Lateral?

A sewer lateral is the private underground pipe that carries wastewater from your home to the public sewer main. It may run under your yard, sidewalk, parkway, driveway, or even part of the street before connecting to the municipal system.

This is why sewer responsibility can be confusing. Just because the pipe is outside your house or under a public area does not always mean the village pays for it.

When Might the Village Be Responsible?

A village or city may be responsible when the problem is located in the public sewer main or another municipal sewer structure.

Examples may include:

• A blockage in the public sewer main

• A damaged village-owned manhole

• A municipal sewer backup caused by public infrastructure

• A storm or sanitary sewer issue on village-owned lines

However, every municipality has its own rules. Some villages require inspections, permits, proof of location, or specific documentation before determining responsibility.

When Is the Homeowner Usually Responsible?

Homeowners are often responsible for problems in the private sewer lateral, including:

• Tree root intrusion

• Cracked clay pipe

• Collapsed private sewer line

• Offset pipe joints

• Sewer backups caused by private lateral defects

• Old or deteriorated sewer pipeImproper connections

• Sewer replacement from the home to the main, depending on local ordinance

This is why it is important to confirm the exact location of the defect with a professional camera inspection.

Do Any Villages Offer Cost-Share Programs?

Some communities may offer assistance programs or cost-sharing options for certain sewer improvements. For example, Highland Park has a Voluntary Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program intended to help homeowners address private sewer lateral conditions through lining, replacement, overhead plumbing, or approved backflow-prevention devices.

Not every village offers this type of program, and funding, eligibility, deadlines, and requirements can change. Homeowners should always check directly with their village public works department before starting work.

What Should You Do Before Replacing a Sewer Line?

Before assuming who pays, take these steps:

1. Schedule a sewer camera inspection.

2. Identify the exact location of the defect.

3. Determine whether the problem is in the private lateral or public main.

4. Contact your village public works department.

5. Ask about permits, reimbursement, cost-share programs, and approved repair methods.

6. Get a professional estimate from an experienced sewer contractor.

Why Documentation Matters

A sewer video inspection can help show whether the problem is roots, cracks, collapse, separation, or blockage. This documentation may be helpful when talking to your village, insurance company, or contractor.

The Bottom Line

Most homeowners are responsible for their private sewer lateral, but some villages may help in specific situations or offer limited cost-share programs. The only way to know is to identify the problem, confirm the location, and check your local village rules.

Advanced Plumbing Systems helps homeowners, builders, and property owners understand sewer conditions and choose the best repair option — whether that means UV trenchless sewer lining, conventional replacement, or another underground utility solution.

Not sure if your sewer issue is private or village-owned? Call Advanced Plumbing Systems for a sewer inspection and professional guidance before you dig.