Who Pays for Sewer Line Repairs in Altoona, PA?

Quick answer: In the City of Altoona, the homeowner is responsible for the sewer pipe from the house to the property line. The Altoona Water Authority (AWA) is responsible for the part from the property line to the sewer main in the street. If a backup is on your side, it is a private repair — call a plumber. If it is on AWA’s side, AWA fixes it.

When sewage comes up through a basement floor drain, the first question most Altoona homeowners ask is: who pays for this? The answer depends on where the problem is in the pipe. This guide explains the rules in plain English, how to tell which side the problem is on, and what to do first.

The Two Parts of Your Sewer Line

The pipe that carries wastewater from your house to the public sewer is called the sewer lateral. In Altoona it is split into two parts:

Part of the pipe	Who is responsible	What it includes
Building sewer — from your house to the property line	The property owner	The pipe under your basement and yard, plus the cleanout (inspection port) at the property line
Service lateral — from the property line to the main	Altoona Water Authority	The pipe under the sidewalk or street, and the sewer main itself

Source: Altoona Water Authority Wastewater Rates, Rules & Regulations, Section 6. AWA has run Altoona’s wastewater system since 1986 and also collects wastewater for Logan Township and Allegheny Township. Rules can change — check with AWA for your property.

When the Homeowner Pays

• The blockage or break is between your house and the property line — for example, roots in the yard, a crushed pipe under the driveway, or grease build-up under the basement floor.
• You (or someone working for you) damaged AWA’s part of the line. Under AWA’s rules, the owner pays for the digging and repair in that case.
• Tree roots from your tree keep blocking AWA’s part of the line and you refuse to remove the tree. AWA’s rules say the owner then becomes responsible for future maintenance of that section.

When the Altoona Water Authority Pays

If the problem is in the service lateral between the property line and the main, or in the main itself, it is AWA’s job to fix. Signs that the problem may be on AWA’s side:

• Several neighbors on your street have backups at the same time.
• Your cleanout at the property line is full of water, but the pipe on the house side is clear.
• A camera inspection shows the break or blockage past the property line.

AWA has a 24/7 emergency line: (814) 949-2540. After office hours, an answering service contacts the foreman on call.

How to Tell Which Side the Problem Is On

1. Check how many drains are affected. If only one sink or toilet is slow, it is almost always a clog inside the house. If the lowest drain in the basement is backing up, the problem is in the main line.
2. Find the cleanout at the property line. It is usually a capped pipe sticking out of the ground near the sidewalk. If you can safely remove the cap and it is empty, the blockage is likely between it and your house. If it is full, the blockage may be further out.
3. Get a camera inspection. A plumber can run a small camera down the line and show you exactly where the problem is and how far it is from the house. This is the best proof if you need AWA to look at their section.

What Sewer Line Repairs Cost in Altoona

Clearing a main line clog with a drain machine is usually the cheapest fix. Digging up and replacing a broken section costs much more, especially under a driveway or deep in the yard. See our plumber cost guide for Altoona for typical price ranges, and our drain cleaning & sewer repair page for how the work is done.

Sump Pumps and Downspouts: A Common Mistake

AWA does not allow rainwater or groundwater in the sanitary sewer. That means sump pumps, downspouts, gutters, area drains and French drains should not be piped into your sewer line or basement floor drain. They must go to a storm sewer or drain outside. Extra rainwater in the sewer can overload the pipes and cause backups — sometimes in your own basement. If your sump pump drains into a laundry sink or floor drain, see our sump pump & basement water page.

Should You Buy a Sewer Line Protection Plan?

AWA offers optional repair plans through HomeServe for the outside water line, the sewer line and in-home plumbing. Whether one is worth it depends on your home. Plans like this make more sense for older homes with clay or cast-iron sewer pipes and big trees in the yard. Read the terms carefully, especially what is excluded and the yearly cap.

What About Logan Township and Other Areas?

Logan Township has its own sewer ordinance. The owner installs and maintains the building sewer, a permit is needed for new connections, and sump pumps and downspouts may not connect to the sewer. Other boroughs such as Hollidaysburg, Duncansville and Bellwood have their own sewer authorities, so the dividing line can be different. See our pages for Logan Township, Hollidaysburg, Duncansville and Bellwood.

Frequently Asked Questions