Homeowner guide · Sewer and drains
Sewer laterals in Tredyffrin: what you own and who to call
Your Tredyffrin sewer lateral, the pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the public sewer, is yours to repair and maintain. The Township runs the mains. Here is what that means, what the Township asks of homeowners, and who to call when sewage backs up.
Key takeaways
The short version
- Each Tredyffrin property owner is responsible for repairing and maintaining their own sewer lateral.
- The Township operates and maintains the public sewer; the Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority owns it.
- Keep your cleanout at least 6 inches above the ground and capped.
- Sump pumps must not be connected to the sanitary sewer.
- Township sewer crews answer emergencies 365 days a year. After hours, call 610-647-1440.
Who owns a Tredyffrin sewer lateral
Tredyffrin Township is direct about it: “Each property owner is responsible for the repair and maintenance of their lateral.” The lateral is the private pipe that carries wastewater from your home to the public sewer. The Township operates and maintains the public lines, which are owned by the Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority (Tredyffrin Public Works).
The Township page does not say exactly where your portion ends and the public portion begins. If a repair is planned near the street or the main, ask Public Works before any digging starts.
Your responsibility
Your lateral, its cleanout, and every drain and fixture inside the home.
The Township’s responsibility
The public sewer lines, manholes and pump stations, which the Township operates and maintains.
How big the public system is
The Township maintains about 133.6 miles of sewer line, 3,840 manholes and nine pump stations. Gravity lines, force mains and pump stations carry sewage to one of four treatment plants (Tredyffrin Public Works):
- Valley Forge Sewer Authority, in Phoenixville
- Trout Run, in Upper Merion
- Matsunk, in Upper Merion
- Delcora, in Chester
The Township says it pays for treatment by the gallon. That is why it asks residents to keep clean water out of the sanitary sewer.
What the Township asks of homeowners
- Keep the cleanout accessible. Cleanouts should be at least 6 inches above the ground and capped.
- Disconnect sump pumps. Make sure sump pumps are not connected to the sewer.
- No chemicals or paint. These should not go into the sewer or the storm drain system.
- Avoid illicit connections. In the Township’s words, “The fewer illicit connects to the sewer system, the less we all pay in treatment costs.”
The cleanout is the easiest item to check yourself. Look along the path between your house and the street for a short capped pipe at ground level, and replace a missing or cracked cap.
If sewage backs up into your basement
You may not be able to tell on your own whether a backup starts in your lateral or in the public line. If you are unsure, call the Township and a plumber.
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Backup during Public Works hours | Tredyffrin Public Works, 610-408-3620 (6:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday to Friday) |
| Backup after hours, on weekends or holidays | Township after-hours emergency line, 610-647-1440 |
| Blockage or break in your own lateral | A plumber to clear, camera-inspect and repair the line |
| Any repair that needs digging | 811, at least three business days before digging |
The Township sewer page also lists sewer@tredyffrin.gov and the Township office at 610-644-1400, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays (Tredyffrin Public Works).
Before anyone digs up a lateral
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says homeowners and contractors must call 811 three business days before digging, so buried utility lines can be marked (PA PUC). Tredyffrin’s sewer page lists Pennsylvania One Call at 1-800-242-1776.
If a lateral repair reaches into the street, the Township lists a Road Occupancy Permit Application and road restoration requirements on the same page. Ask Public Works which apply to your job.
Living in Easttown instead?
Mailing names such as Berwyn, Devon and Wayne do not always match the township you live in, so check your tax bill. This guide covers Tredyffrin’s published rules only. We did not find an Easttown Township page stating who maintains the lateral, so call Easttown Township to confirm before you plan a repair.
When to call
Slow drains, gurgling or a sewer smell?
We clear and camera-inspect sewer laterals for homes in Wayne, Strafford, Paoli, Chesterbrook, Berwyn and Devon, and we can tell you whether the problem is in your line. Call (610) 788-0042.
Frequently asked questions
Sewer lateral questions from Tredyffrin homeowners
Answers by John, Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber.
Who is responsible for the sewer lateral in Tredyffrin Township?
The property owner. Tredyffrin says each property owner is responsible for the repair and maintenance of their lateral, while the Township operates and maintains the public sewer lines.
Who owns the public sewer in Tredyffrin?
The Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority owns the sewer facilities, and the Township operates and maintains them.
Who do I call about a sewer emergency after hours?
Call the Township after-hours emergency line at 610-647-1440. Township sewer personnel respond to emergencies 365 days a year.
How high should my sewer cleanout be?
Tredyffrin asks that cleanouts be at least 6 inches above the ground and capped.
Can my sump pump drain into the sanitary sewer?
No. Tredyffrin asks property owners to make sure sump pumps are not connected to the sewer.
Do I need to call 811 before a lateral repair?
Yes, if the repair involves digging. The PA Public Utility Commission says homeowners and contractors must call 811 three business days before digging.
Does Tredyffrin require a sewer lateral inspection when I sell my home?
Not found. The Township sanitary sewer page does not mention a lateral inspection at sale, so ask the Township before you list your home.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every figure and rule in this guide comes from the public sources below. Rules and fees can change, so confirm with the source before you act.
Keep reading
Related services and guides
Drain and sewer
Clearing, camera inspections and lateral repair.
Sump pump guide
Keep clean water out of the sewer.
Plumbing permits
Who can do the work.
Emergency plumber
Backups and flooding.
Our service area
Plumbing across Tredyffrin Township, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber serves every neighborhood in Tredyffrin Township, including Wayne, Strafford, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Devon, Daylesford, and Howellville, plus neighboring Easttown Township. Our office is at 217 Conestoga Rd, Suite 10, Wayne, PA 19087.
