Assuming fees collected exceed expenditures, the Jennings City Council may waive all or any portion of the fee for all residents, for any period of time they choose, provided that the fee may be reassessed without an affirming vote of the people in order to meet increasing demand.

A sewer lateral is defined as the portion of pipe which carries household wastes to the MSD sewer main and which begins five (5) feet from the house connection and the sewer main. The definition is the same whether the pipe is located in the front, side, or rear yard.

The City will contract for the repair of a defective lateral if after investigation, it is found to be crushed due to causes beyond the control of the property owner, or if, as a result of pipe cracks or leaking joints, tree roots or soil has infiltrated the pipe resulting in a blockage of the pipe rendering the lateral not functional. Simple blockages that can be corrected by sewer cleaning or rodding will not be covered under this program. The City will make payment to the contractor. In the event of a difference of opinion, the homeowner has the right to obtain additional testing at their own expense, and appeal the decision to the City Council.

The responsibility of the City’s sewer lateral repair program is limited to the excavation and repair of the lateral pipe, and backfilling in a workmanlike manner. The top six inches of backfill material will be topsoil. fine graded and made ready for seed or sod. It will be the responsibility of the homeowner to restore landscaping and ground cover, including grass, to code; in whatever manner they choose, on their property. The program will not be responsible for the restoration of private property to a grass or landscaped surface; however, the replacement of any sidewalk or driveway, which must be removed to accommodate the repair, may be included in the program cost.

Restoration of any public property to its pre-construction condition shall be included in the cost of the project, to include but not be limited to grass, tree lawns, sidewalks and roadway pavement.

In the event it is necessary to remove accessory structures such as fences, this money can be used to restore such fence to their preexisting condition. In the event obstacles such as yard sheds, garages, sidewalks or driveways, etc., are in the path of the lateral and lie over the damaged portion of the lateral, the City reserves the right to re-route the lateral to avoid the necessity of removing the structure. St. Louis County licensed plumbers and drain layers will be contracted to work on the sanitary sewer laterals on a bid basis. The lowest and best bid overall shall be awarded the contract. The successful contractor shall pay no less than the prevailing rate of hourly wages for each craft or type of workmanship needed for the sewer lateral repair as determined by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Standards. The City, taking into consideration health and safety issues and the recommendation of MSD, as scheduled, shall determine prioritization of work.

The fund will pay all covered costs to a maximum of $10,000 per repair. In cases where the cost may exceed $10,000, they will be reviewed on an as needed basis. Costs paid shall not exceed the fund balance; should the fund balance be insufficient, repairs will cease until the fund has been replenished.

*** Please Note: Most municipalities, cities, and counties with sewer lateral programs limit reimbursements and expenses to the amount available in the Fund at any time. Some offer waiting lists and reimbursements out of the next year’s Fund revenue. Funds typically are on a first-come, first-served basis. You should always check on fund availability. Additionally, most municipalities will require proof of PAID real estate tax bills, city fees, taxes, including personal property taxes, and trash fees if applicable for eligibility to participate in any available programs.

Assuming fees collected exceed expenditures, the Jennings City Council may waive all or any portion of the fee for all residents, for any period of time they choose, provided that the fee may be reassessed without an affirming vote of the people in order to meet increasing demand.

A sewer lateral is defined as the portion of pipe which carries household wastes to the MSD sewer main and which begins five (5) feet from the house connection and the sewer main. The definition is the same whether the pipe is located in the front, side, or rear yard.

The City will contract for the repair of a defective lateral if after investigation, it is found to be crushed due to causes beyond the control of the property owner, or if, as a result of pipe cracks or leaking joints, tree roots or soil has infiltrated the pipe resulting in a blockage of the pipe rendering the lateral not functional. Simple blockages that can be corrected by sewer cleaning or rodding will not be covered under this program. The City will make payment to the contractor. In the event of a difference of opinion, the homeowner has the right to obtain additional testing at their own expense, and appeal the decision to the City Council.

The responsibility of the City’s sewer lateral repair program is limited to the excavation and repair of the lateral pipe, and backfilling in a workmanlike manner. The top six inches of backfill material will be topsoil. fine graded and made ready for seed or sod. It will be the responsibility of the homeowner to restore landscaping and ground cover, including grass, to code; in whatever manner they choose, on their property. The program will not be responsible for the restoration of private property to a grass or landscaped surface; however, the replacement of any sidewalk or driveway, which must be removed to accommodate the repair, may be included in the program cost.

Restoration of any public property to its pre-construction condition shall be included in the cost of the project, to include but not be limited to grass, tree lawns, sidewalks and roadway pavement.

In the event it is necessary to remove accessory structures such as fences, this money can be used to restore such fence to their preexisting condition. In the event obstacles such as yard sheds, garages, sidewalks or driveways, etc., are in the path of the lateral and lie over the damaged portion of the lateral, the City reserves the right to re-route the lateral to avoid the necessity of removing the structure. St. Louis County licensed plumbers and drain layers will be contracted to work on the sanitary sewer laterals on a bid basis. The lowest and best bid overall shall be awarded the contract. The successful contractor shall pay no less than the prevailing rate of hourly wages for each craft or type of workmanship needed for the sewer lateral repair as determined by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Standards. The City, taking into consideration health and safety issues and the recommendation of MSD, as scheduled, shall determine prioritization of work.

The fund will pay all covered costs to a maximum of $10,000 per repair. In cases where the cost may exceed $10,000, they will be reviewed on an as needed basis. Costs paid shall not exceed the fund balance; should the fund balance be insufficient, repairs will cease until the fund has been replenished.

*** Please Note: Most municipalities, cities, and counties with sewer lateral programs limit reimbursements and expenses to the amount available in the Fund at any time. Some offer waiting lists and reimbursements out of the next year’s Fund revenue. Funds typically are on a first-come, first-served basis. You should always check on fund availability. Additionally, most municipalities will require proof of PAID real estate tax bills, city fees, taxes, including personal property taxes, and trash fees if applicable for eligibility to participate in any available programs.