Homeowner’s sewer lateral found 210 feet from city main; council to pursue inspection

A contractor reported to the Sherburn City Council that a homeowner’s sewer lateral extends about 210 feet and that workers uncovered an old buried structure near the street that had been mistaken for the city main.

"So his sewer lateral is about 210 feet at least," the contractor said, describing excavation that revealed a collapsing structure with rocks falling from its interior. Council staff said the city’s records were unclear and asked public works to verify whether the structure is a city asset.

Staff recited applicable ordinance language, noting that when "a public sewer becomes available to a property... a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer within 30 days" and that property owners normally bear the cost of the lateral to the main unless a city structure is shown to be compromised. Staff told council they would instruct public works to camera the line from the newly exposed structure and report back.

Council members and the contractor discussed potential repair options including lining the pipe or digging the structure out; the contractor said lining might be feasible but that the structure’s condition made it unclear without inspection. The contractor offered to excavate and produce a video so staff and council could assess ownership and next steps.

The council did not adopt a formal policy at the meeting but staff said they would investigate ownership, coordinate a camera inspection and, if needed, call a special meeting to address urgent repairs once the asset status is confirmed.