About The Marin Lateral Program

About the Lateral Program What is a Sewer Lateral? Why You Should Care About Laterals Help Us Protect Water Quality and Stop Costly Fines Latest News and Documents What Public Agencies are Doing FAQs About Laterals How to Inspect and Repair Your Lateral To Contact Us, Learn More or Participate Home Page

Program Goals:

A group of nine local wastewater agencies — members of the North Bay Watershed Association — is working together to help homeowners and businesses inspect and fix their privately owned sewer laterals to protect their homes, health and environment, as well as saving money.

This Marin Lateral Program may result in decisions by the members to develop practical solutions for inspection, repair and replacement of privately owned sewer laterals.

Manholes overflowing onto a street.
A key cause of this is cracked private laterals allowing massive amounts of stormwater to enter the public sewer system.

The Problem: Inflow and Infiltration

As main sewer lines and laterals age, they develop leaks, become clogged by grease, and are cracked by roots. This situation leads to sewage spills and overflows. During wet weather, stormwater enters through those cracks and breaks, increasing flows in sewer pipes by 1,000% or more. This is called Inflow and Infiltration, and causes additional spills and overloading of the wastewater treatment process. The result threatens public health and has, at times, contaminated San Francisco Bay and its tributaries.