The sewer lateral repair program is not available to multi-family buildings or to renters. This service is limited to covering 60% of the required costs for the repairs. The Homeowner is subject to the remaining 40% of the required costs for the repairs.

A sewer lateral is defined as the portion of the sewage system that carries household wastes to the MSD or private sewer main and which begins six inches (6 “) from the cast iron or plastic stub-out point OUTSIDE the foundation or exterior wall of the residential dwelling structure and ends at the MSD or private sewer main. The definition is the same whether the pipe is located in the front, side, or rear yard. Damaged or blocked pipes located within six (6”) inches, or within, or under the exterior walls or foundation of the residential dwelling structure are NOT covered by this program.

If the owner is experiencing a problem with the lateral sewer service line, the owner should contact a plumber/drain layer company, licensed in St. Louis County, to have the line cabled and cleared. Their report is to be attached to the application. Sometimes the problem is not within the sewer line. It may have clogged up from the entry of improper materials. The cost of cleaning out the sewer lateral will not be a reimbursable cost item.

If the problem is not resolved by cabling of the line, the property owner should contact the Jim Griffin of the Frontenac Public Works Department between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (314-994-9861 or jgriffin@cityoffrontenac.org). The owner must fill-out an application form before being processed.

The owner must provide a copy of their most recent paid real estate tax bill for the address requiring sewer lateral assistance. Unpaid tax bills will not be covered under the program.

Crystal Lake Park may arrange for the Metropolitan Sewer District to perform a dye test. In most instances, this will disclose whether there is a break in the sewer line.

If a dye test is performed and does not indicate a break in the sewer service line, the owner may hire a contractor to televise the line so that the cause of the problem can be determined. If that discloses that the line is defective, the cost of such testing, to the maximum of $150.00 is includable as part of the reimbursable cost.

When it is determined from the television inspection that the service line is defective, the homeowner shall solicit bids (or if a yearly bid is taken, the chosen contractor) from St. Louis County licensed plumbers or drain layers for the necessary repair work. Solicitation of bids may also be sought for individual repairs even if a yearly bid has been taken.

From the bids received, Crystal Lake Park may hire a contractor which it determines has submitted the lowest bid to repair the sewer service line. The contractor shall obtain any necessary permits from the City of Crystal Lake Park, and from St. Louis County, to perform the work in compliance with applicable St. Louis County and Crystal Lake Park codes, and submit to Crystal Lake Park upon completion of repair work. The contractor is expected to accomplish the contracted work within a fourteen-day period.

The corrective work which is subject to reimbursement from the Fund is limited to excavation, repair or replacement of the defective portion of the line, backfilling, and seeding and straw of the disturbed portion of the yard. Additional work shall be done at the homeowner’s expense. This will include later settling of the dirt and grass and any replanting that may be necessary.

Upon completion of the corrective work and confirmation that the contracted work has been accomplished, Crystal Lake Park will pay the contractor 60% of the corrective work, not to exceed the amount of the approved bid.

The City of Crystal Lake Park has no obligation or responsibility for the performance by the contractor, and no responsibility for any damages caused to the homeowner’s property because of the sewer line defects.

This stated program shall not include damage to the lateral lines which occur from “Acts of God, People, or Nature” such as, but is not exclusive to, earthquakes, floods, trees, lightning, tornados, vandalism, or other such natural environmental and weather-related disasters.

*** 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.

The sewer lateral repair program is not available to multi-family buildings or to renters. This service is limited to covering 60% of the required costs for the repairs. The Homeowner is subject to the remaining 40% of the required costs for the repairs.

A sewer lateral is defined as the portion of the sewage system that carries household wastes to the MSD or private sewer main and which begins six inches (6 “) from the cast iron or plastic stub-out point OUTSIDE the foundation or exterior wall of the residential dwelling structure and ends at the MSD or private sewer main. The definition is the same whether the pipe is located in the front, side, or rear yard. Damaged or blocked pipes located within six (6”) inches, or within, or under the exterior walls or foundation of the residential dwelling structure are NOT covered by this program.

If the owner is experiencing a problem with the lateral sewer service line, the owner should contact a plumber/drain layer company, licensed in St. Louis County, to have the line cabled and cleared. Their report is to be attached to the application. Sometimes the problem is not within the sewer line. It may have clogged up from the entry of improper materials. The cost of cleaning out the sewer lateral will not be a reimbursable cost item.

If the problem is not resolved by cabling of the line, the property owner should contact the Jim Griffin of the Frontenac Public Works Department between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (314-994-9861 or jgriffin@cityoffrontenac.org). The owner must fill-out an application form before being processed.

The owner must provide a copy of their most recent paid real estate tax bill for the address requiring sewer lateral assistance. Unpaid tax bills will not be covered under the program.

Crystal Lake Park may arrange for the Metropolitan Sewer District to perform a dye test. In most instances, this will disclose whether there is a break in the sewer line.

If a dye test is performed and does not indicate a break in the sewer service line, the owner may hire a contractor to televise the line so that the cause of the problem can be determined. If that discloses that the line is defective, the cost of such testing, to the maximum of $150.00 is includable as part of the reimbursable cost.

When it is determined from the television inspection that the service line is defective, the homeowner shall solicit bids (or if a yearly bid is taken, the chosen contractor) from St. Louis County licensed plumbers or drain layers for the necessary repair work. Solicitation of bids may also be sought for individual repairs even if a yearly bid has been taken.

From the bids received, Crystal Lake Park may hire a contractor which it determines has submitted the lowest bid to repair the sewer service line. The contractor shall obtain any necessary permits from the City of Crystal Lake Park, and from St. Louis County, to perform the work in compliance with applicable St. Louis County and Crystal Lake Park codes, and submit to Crystal Lake Park upon completion of repair work. The contractor is expected to accomplish the contracted work within a fourteen-day period.

The corrective work which is subject to reimbursement from the Fund is limited to excavation, repair or replacement of the defective portion of the line, backfilling, and seeding and straw of the disturbed portion of the yard. Additional work shall be done at the homeowner’s expense. This will include later settling of the dirt and grass and any replanting that may be necessary.

Upon completion of the corrective work and confirmation that the contracted work has been accomplished, Crystal Lake Park will pay the contractor 60% of the corrective work, not to exceed the amount of the approved bid.

The City of Crystal Lake Park has no obligation or responsibility for the performance by the contractor, and no responsibility for any damages caused to the homeowner’s property because of the sewer line defects.

This stated program shall not include damage to the lateral lines which occur from “Acts of God, People, or Nature” such as, but is not exclusive to, earthquakes, floods, trees, lightning, tornados, vandalism, or other such natural environmental and weather-related disasters.

*** 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.