Lateral Lines Rehabilitation Project

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Lateral Line Rehabilitation

Project Overview

A lateral line is the pipe that connects a residential home to the City’s sewer system. Lateral lines are private property and their maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner.

The Problem

Lateral lines could be contributing to sewer overflows and backups in neighborhoods. Lateral lines have been identified to be susceptible to inflow and infiltration by unwanted stormwater and groundwater, especially during heavy rain events. Inflow is surface water that enters the sewer system from yards, roof and footing drains, cross-connections with storm drains, downspouts, and through holes in manhole covers. Infiltration is groundwater that enters sewer pipes through holes, breaks, joint and connection failures and other openings. This additional water in the system increases the risk of sewer overflows and puts a strain on the system as a whole. The rainwater that wrongfully enters the sewer system must be treated, driving up the cost of treating and maintaining St. Pete's wastewater system.

The Solution

The City of St. Petersburg’s Lateral Line Rehabilitation Rebate Project, which has completed, enabled property owners in Maximo Moorings to repair faulty lateral lines at no cost to them. The pilot program was localized to select addresses in Maximo Moorings and Greater Pinellas Point. Find the project area maps below. 

Funds were available for a limited time and on a first-come, first-served basis:

  • Up to $800 for a private lateral line inspection
  • Up to an additional $8,000 for private lateral line rehabilitation work

Eligibility 

Single-family homeowners in Maximo Moorings and Greater Pinellas Point within the study area were invited to participate in the pilot project. An extensive analysis of the St. Petersburg neighborhoods was conducted to determine the most effective study areas for private lateral rehabilitation study. Location, average age of the homes, elevation and extensive public infrastructure rehabilitations were the main determining factors in which specific homes within the qualified neighborhoods would be best suited to participate in the study.

Residents who are interested in lateral line rehabilitation but outside of the study area or were not able to take advantage of the pilot program may qualify for a low-interest loan from the Solar and Energy Loan Fund. More information can be found at stpete.org/SELF. Homes that are not eligible for this study may be eligible for other pilot studies in the future.

Project Timeline

Enrollment for the pilot program ended in May 2021. Post-rehabilitation flow monitoring will be conducted throughout the 2021 wet weather season. Data analysis will be conducted in the fall. A draft report of outcomes and project completion is anticipated in early 2022.

Contact

For more information about the project, call 727-893-7261 or email kira.barrera@stpete.org.