Costly repairs could be at your doorstep

Don’t be surprised if you get a notice that you have to pay about

$10,000 to repair your sewer line. That’s right, your sewer line.

We’ve heard so much about the sewer spills and sewer maintenance

that the city has to deal with that when the topic of sewers comes

up, it’s easy to tune out. But this time, it’s your pocket book

they’re talking about.

The city has been under watch by the Environmental Protection

Agency and has been ordered to reduce the number of its sewer spills.

Many sewer spills are caused by blocked-up city mains, and Laguna

leaders say those blockages often come from blocked lateral lines

that go from a private residence to the main sewer line.

The council has tentatively approved a program that would require

property owners to pay to keep lateral sewer lines fully functional.

This could cost most homeowners between $2,000 and $10,000 and

could go as high as $20,000, said David Shissler, the head of the

city’s Water Quality Division.

As Mayor Cheryl Kinsman said, “A lot of people don’t even know

what laterals are, and all of a sudden they will get a letter -- and

it’s a $10,000 letter.”

The council did discuss the option of the city taking over the

laterals, but the cost for homes from Nyes Place north alone would be

more than $22 million. So it looks like the costs for the laterals

will be in the hands of the property owners, but how and when is

still in debate.

City officials are discussing whether to have mandatory repairs or

replacement at the time of remodeling or at the sale of the property.

Realtors who spoke Jan. 20 didn’t like that idea because it could

mean tearing up the yard before a sale.

There’s also the idea of identifying at-risk properties or

repairing a group of homes at one time under a citywide program.

Realtors at the meeting seemed to like this idea and said it would

reduce costs. Of course, this could mean a large bill for a homeowner

who lived in a valuable home but didn’t have an income to match.

So, before the details are finalized, this is a good time to speak

up and let the city know which plan will be the least dire for you.