Private sewer pipe responsibilities

In Winnipeg, property owners own the sewer pipe that services their property, from the house to where it connects with the City’s sewer main, including the portion under the street. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their private sewer pipes.

Your private sewer pipe responsibilities

[ID: Graphic displaying a sewer pipe that connects from a property the City’s sewer main. It shows the property owner is responsible for all pipes that connect the property to the city sewer main, both before and after the property line.]

The most common problems a property owner may experience with their sewer pipes are:

  • Blockages from tree roots, grease, other materials or from a failing pipe
  • Sewer backup can happen due to materials clogging the sewer or a failure of the sewer pipe.
  • Sewer backup can also occur if there is problem with the City’s sewer main.

Sewer repairs may be required when a pipe has failed or has a blockage that cannot be removed.

What to do if your sewer is blocked or backs up

Step 1:

Arrange and pay for a sewer cleaning contractor to clean your sewer. They may be able to clean out any debris or buildup to restore your sewer service.

If the contractor cannot restore your service, have your cleaning contractor find out if the blockage is under your property, or under City property.

If the blockage is under your property, please proceed to Step 2.

If the blockage is past your property line and under City property, please proceed to Step 3.

Step 2:

If the problem is under your property:

You are responsible for keeping all pipes under your property in good repair.

You may want to consider arranging for an additional cleaning attempt from a different cleaning contractor to confirm the blockage and its location before you proceed with repairing your sewer pipe.

Arrange and pay for a licensed sewer contractor to make any repairs that are required.

Before you choose your contractor, we recommend that you get at least three estimates and check contractor references.

Your contractor will be responsible for:

  • Obtaining the necessary permits
  • Repairing the sewer, which includes excavating in your yard
  • Arranging for us to inspect the repair

A sewer repair usually takes three to five business days. During this time, you will be without sewer service and may need to make alternate arrangements.

Once your sewer has been inspected by our inspectors, it is ready to use.

Step 3:

If the problem is under City property:

Contact 311. We will come to check the City’s sewer main to see if the problem is related to our sewer main or your private sewer pipe.

After we finish our inspection, you will receive a notice explaining what we found and what the next steps you may need to take are.

If our inspection determines that the problem is your private sewer pipe:

We have a financial assistance program for homeowners whose private sewer pipes have a blockage that cannot be cleared or is a result of a failure of the sewer pipe.

This financial assistance program applies to only the portion of your private sewer pipe that is under the City’s street and is available to only:

  • Single-family dwellings that the owner lives in
  • Two-family dwellings where the owner lives in one unit

This assistance program does NOT apply to:

  • Cleaning or other maintenance required for a private sewer service pipe or their costs
  • A non-conforming private sewer service pipe
  • Any part of a private sewer service pipe that has been installed or replaced within the previous 12 months
  • Private sewer service pipes that are or have been frozen
  • Damage to a private sewer service pipe caused by a third party

To qualify for financial assistance under this program; we may require you to do one or more of the following to confirm that a repair is required:

  • Arrange and pay for an additional cleaning attempt from a different cleaning contractor to clean your sewer pipe. A City employee will attend the cleaning attempt to oversee the work.
  • Arrange and pay for a video inspection of your sewer pipe. We will require a copy of your inspection to review.
  • Arrange and pay for a tracing of your sewer pipe to confirm the location of the blockage and the sewer pipe. A City employee will attend the tracing to document the results.
  • Provide us with any history of any previous sewer cleanings or video inspections for our review.
  • Allow us into your home for inspections

If you qualify for this program then we will arrange for a contractor to complete the repairs and will pay for their work.

Properties that are not eligible or do not qualify for assistance under this program are responsible for all sewer repairs, even if the problem is under City property.

Costs & claims

You are responsible for any costs related to clearing backups, repairing your private sewer pipe, or damage caused by these events.

Your home insurance policy may cover sewer backup. Please contact your insurance company to confirm.

The City is not responsible for sewer backup unless we have been negligent. If you believe this is the case, you or your insurance company can make a claim.

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