Sewer Connection Frequently Asked Questions
Connection to the stub at the property line is the homeowner’s responsibility. We suggest that you contact a minimum of three Side Sewer Contractors for bids to connect your house/building to the sewer service stub at the property line.
The Division of Utilities does not have a list of Side Sewer Contractors. However, many of these contractors are listed under “Sewer Contractors and Cleaners” in the Yellow Pages.
It may take several months to get a contractor to make your connection. So, please do not wait until your connection deadline to make arrangements for your connection.
Costs for the connection vary a great deal depending on site conditions. The cost of this connection is the responsibility of the homeowner and is in addition to your Capital Facilities Rate (CFR) charges.
It may be acceptable for you to do the work yourself, depending upon the site constraints. Please contact the Division of Utilities, at (509) 477-3604, to schedule a meeting, if you are considering this option. You must meet with Utilities staff before a Sewer Connection Permit will be issued for you to perform the work.
Sometime after the sewer project has been accepted by Spokane County, the County will establish a mandatory one-year connection period. Currently, the County is postponing the start of the mandatory connection period. Once the county has established the mandatory connection period, you will be sent a letter advising that you have one-year to connect to public sewer. Please do not wait until your deadline date to try and get a contractor to make your connection.
The Sewer Connection Permit fee for a single-family home is $100.
Please contact the Division of Utilities, at (509) 477-3604, to obtain information relative to the Sewer Connection Permit fees for duplexes, multi-family housing, commercial units and mobile home parks.
Other permits, such as interior plumbing alterations and right-of-way permits, may also be required. All necessary permits must be obtained PRIOR to commencement of any part of the installation/connection.
The property owner can obtain the permit(s), but we recommend that you have your side sewer contractor obtain them. If the property owner is going to obtain the permit(s), you must provide the contractor’s name and license number.
The Informational Meetings provide general information relative to the upcoming year’s sewer projects. The information presented during the meetings includes property owner costs; financial assistance; what to expect prior to and during construction; and, how to connect to the sewer. These meetings are usually held in the Fall.
The main collection line is usually installed in the street, typically 5 to 6 feet either side of the center of the street. The main line pipe diameter is 8-inches or greater and is usually 8 to 16 feet deep.
The Main Line Contractor is the contractor that is awarded a Public Works Contract to install the main line and stubs. This contractor works for the Division of Utilities.
The Open House Meeting is your opportunity to meet one-on-one with design staff to ask any questions you may have relative to your stub location, the construction process, costs, financial assistance, etc. The meeting is held near the end of the design process, usually in late Winter or early Spring.
A stub is the sewer line that runs from the Main Line to your property line. This is the line that you will connect your house or building to. For residential properties it is usually a 4-inch line. For apartment buildings and commercial properties it is generally a 6-inch line.
The side sewer contractor is the contractor that you hire, at your expense, to connect your house or building to the stub. This contractor works for you.
Sometimes referred to as "TVing", the TV inspection is a portion of the final inspection of the newly installed main lines. A remote controlled TV camera is run down each main line to check for and record any faults, such as reverse grades, debris, cracked pipes or tees, etc. TV inspections are generally done after all the work has been completed.