Accessibility
Home | Francais
Search Winnipeg.ca
311

Sewer pipe responsibilities for property owners

You own the sewer pipe from your building to the City's sewer main. This includes the part under your property and the part under City property.

Illustration showing sewer pipe that property owners are responsible for

Selecting one of the following links will scroll this page to the relevant section below.
To return to this list, select any top of page "Top of page" link.

Sewer backup
Your home or business insurance policy may cover sewer backup.

We are not responsible for sewer backup unless we have been negligent. If you believe this is the case, you or your insurance company can make a claim.

Step 1

If your sewer backup is caused by roots from City trees, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for 50% of the cost to a maximum payment of $50.00. Contact 311 for more information.
Arrange and pay for a sewer cleaning contractor to clean your sewer (see the "Plumbing – Drain & Sewer Cleaning" listings in your MTS Yellow Pages Icon indicating a link that will open up a new browser window and take you to a Web site outside of the City of Winnipeg's Web site. Close the new window to return to this page. Phone Book).

The sewer cleaning contractor may be able to clean out any debris or buildup, and restore your sewer services.

If the contractor cannot restore your sewer service due to a blockage, either under your property, or City property, continue with step 2.

Step 2 (if necessary)

If the sewer blockage is under your property
Arrange and pay for a licensed sewer contractor to make any repairs.

When you hire a licensed sewer contractor, we recommend that you:

  • get at least three estimates
  • ask for and check contractor references
  • call the Better Business Bureau Icon indicating a link that will open up a new browser window and take you to a Web site outside of the City of Winnipeg's Web site. Close the new window to return to this page. for a reliability report on contractors

Your contractor will be responsible for:

  • obtaining the necessary permits
  • repairing the sewer
  • arranging for us to inspect the repair

If the blockage is under City property
(between your property line and the City's sewer main)
Contact 311. We may ask you to:

  • arrange and pay for a second attempt from a different contractor to clean the sewer
  • arrange and pay for a video inspection of your sewer
  • provide us with a history of any previous sewer cleanings
  • allow us into your home for inspections

If the second cleaning attempt is unsuccessful and the sewer is still blocked, we will arrange and pay for the repair.

top of pageTop of page

Repairing the sewer
A sewer repair usually takes three to five business days. Some of the steps involved in a sewer repair are:

  • getting estimates from the list of licensed contractors
  • choosing a contractor based on the lowest price and how quickly the contractor can do the work
  • getting the necessary permits
  • getting clearances from utility companies (e.g., Manitoba Hydro)
  • inspecting the repair

During this time, you may be without sewer service.

If you have any questions, call 986-3312 or 986-3322 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (except holidays).

PDF version Icon indicating a pdf file which will open up a new browser window. (43kb) Selecting this link will open the french version of this pdf file in a new browser window. Close the new window to return to this page. Icon indicating a pdf file which will open up a new browser window. (44kb)

For more information
• Sewer by-law (section 37)
• Cleaning up after the flood

 Select this icon to print a printer friendly version of this page This page is printer friendly.

top of pageTop of page

This page was last updated on February 2, 2011