Sewer Compliance in Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area proudly serves residents and businesses in the area with comprehensive plumbing solutions. One important aspect of maintaining a safe and reliable system is ensuring you’re up to date on sewer compliance. Oakland-Berkeley and Alameda, CA properties are required to adhere to the East Bay Municipal Utility District Private Sewer Lateral Program, or (EBMUD PSL) Program. This program was formed from mandates by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and our country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The (EBMUD PSL) Program significantly impacts Bay Area property owners and residents, particularly those with properties featuring aging or old sewer laterals that need professional repairs. We’ve summarized what you need to know about this program, and you’re welcome to contact us with questions or to schedule service.

East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program

The East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program was implemented by EBMUD to set forth various regulations. These regulations apply to inspecting, testing, repairing, replacing, and performing ongoing maintenance on Private Sewer Laterals. This program was initiated in 2011 as a response to deteriorating sanitary sewer pipes in the region. These damaged pipes resulted in numerous issues, with the primary concern being rainwater infiltration. The excessive amount of rainwater overwhelmed wastewater treatment facilities, discharging partially treated wastewater into the already polluted San Francisco Bay. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area will gladly advise you on this program and provide plumbing solutions to ensure you’re in line with sewer lateral compliance.

What Are Private Sewer Laterals?

A private sewer lateral, also known as a PSL, refers to the pipe linking your plumbing system to the main sanitary sewer. This pipe consists of two main sections: the upper sewer lateral and the lower sewer lateral. The upper lateral connects the building cleanout to the sidewalk area, while the lower lateral connects the curb cleanout to the public sewer main. For clarity, it's important to note that all sewer laterals on private properties are classified as PSLs. In some areas like Alameda and Berkeley, property owners are solely responsible for the upper lateral connections located on their properties. However, in certain locations in the Bay area, property owners are responsible for both the upper and lower lateral connections. Whatever your situation or location is, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area is happy to help you meet sewer lateral regulations, among other sewer repairs and services.

Whom Does the EBMUD PSL Program Affect?

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) Program has a far-reaching impact on residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the East Bay region. Regardless of whether your property meets the specific triggers outlined below, you have the option to apply for a Voluntary Compliance Certificate. Opting for voluntary EBMUD PSL compliance comes with numerous advantages, including mitigating the financial consequences of future triggers, ensuring compliance with local EPA mandates, and reassuring that your PSL is leak-free. While the program pertains to all property types, it particularly applies to properties facing the following circumstances, commonly referred to as "triggers":

• Changing your water meter’s size
• Buying or selling a property
• Remodeling or building a property over $100,000

Benefits of Compliance in Oakland-Berkeley, CA

Confirming you’re compliant with this program requires an inspection, resulting in a Compliance Certificate. A licensed contractor must perform this inspection with an EBMUD inspector witnessing the entire process. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area strongly recommends arranging a sewer line video inspection before scheduling your property’s EBMUD verification test to identify and conduct any necessary repairs and avoid multiple compliance tests. EBMUD PSL Program compliance comes with many benefits to your property and sewer system, including preventing cracked or leaking sewer laterals from causing the following issues:

• Root growth and water intrusion cause raw sewage overflow
• Excess wastewater flowing to the treatment plant, causing the release of partially treated wastewater into the San Francisco Bay
• Sewer backups
• Leaks cause raw sewage to contaminate local creeks and soil

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Your property deserves the best sewer line performance with the lowest chance of issues. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area wants to help you worry less about your sewer’s condition. With sewer lateral maintenance and care, you can stay compliant with the EBMUD PSL program and enjoy a completely functional plumbing system. If you have any questions about this program, how to stay compliant, or the details of your property’s sewer laterals, we encourage you to reach out to us for answers. We’ll gladly provide professional solutions and an accurate estimate for the services your system needs.