Accessing the sanitary sewer lateral.
If your home is located within the service area of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), you may be eligible for financial incentives to replace your residential sewer lateral through MMSD’s Pipe Check program. MMSD also offers financial incentives for homeowners who disconnect foundation drains, install sump pumps, or remove downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer.
Helpful Definitions
Sanitary Sewer Lateral – The pipe that connects the home to the municipality’s sanitary sewer system. This lateral is the homeowner’s property and responsibility.
Clear Water – Rain water or groundwater.
Infiltration – Clear water leaking into the sanitary sewer system through defective pipes and pipe-joint connections.
Inflow – Clear water flowing freely into the sanitary sewer system through piped connections such as roof downspouts, foundation drains, and other improper cross connections.
What Is Private Property Inflow and Infiltration?
Unwanted clear water can enter the sanitary sewer system in many ways including leaky pipes, failing pipe connections, and foundation drains often from private property sources. The sanitary sewer system is designed to handle a certain amount of wastewater. However, when the wastewater is combined with unwanted clear water, the amount of flow can exceed the capacity of the sanitary sewer causing a condition called “surcharging.” Surcharging of the sanitary sewer system can cause wastewater to back up into basements through the sanitary sewer lateral that connects a home to the municipality’s sanitary sewer main.
The sanitary sewer lateral is the responsibility of the homeowner. This means if there are basement back-ups related to the sanitary sewer lateral’s condition such as roots or a structural failure, the homeowner is responsible for the cost. The Pipe Check program’s financial incentives can help reduce these costs for homeowners and there is no income requirement to participate in the program.
Using a CCTV camera to check the condition of the sanitary sewer lateral.
Pipe Check Program Requirements
Interested homeowners must meet the following requirements to participate in the Pipe Check Program:
- The property is located within the MMSD service area.
- The property is a one- or two-family home.
- A site visit must be completed by an approved contractor.
- A W‐9 is submitted to MMSD. (Note: The value of the financial incentive is taxable. MMSD will provide a 1099 at the end of the year.)
- A participation waiver must be signed by the homeowner.
- An approved contractor must complete all required work identified during the site visit.
What Does This Mean for the Municipality?
When residents notify the municipality that their sanitary sewer lateral needs replacing, the municipality should inform such residents about the financial incentives available through the MMSD’s Pipe Check program. This can be done by directing them to the MMSD Pipe Check program website (link below) or providing them the Pipe Check program’s email address as follows: pipecheckinfo@mmsd.com. By sharing this information with residents, the municipality can help homeowners reduce inflow and infiltration in their homes while also providing access to financial support for the needed repairs. For more information regarding MMSD’s Pipe Check program, please visit Residential Pipe Check Program | MMSD.
