Here is the Municipal code language on this topic:
13.08.690 Responsibility.
The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the City, wherein such facilities are connected to the proper public sewer in accordance with Articles I through IX, are responsible for the maintenance and cost of maintaining the private service lateral and the connection to the City main. (Ord. 2016-01A §3; Ord. 2007-07 §1; Ord. 1983-1 §2)
Brenda Reiner, EIT
Senior Engineering Technician
City of Molalla
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038
Office: 503.759.0243 I Fax: 503.829.3676
From: Brenda Reiner [mailto:breiner@cityofmolalla.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 10:01 AM
To: sabanvandi@gmail.com
Cc: Andy Peters <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>; lynda.hofmann@yahoo.com; danielle@daniellemartinhomes.com
Subject: RE: Sewer scope findings
The City’s position on the lateral sewer repairs is:
1. In very limited cases: We may repair a sanitary lateral if there is a structural defect, basically meaning if the line was installed incorrectly like a rolled gasket or displaced joint AND the structural defect is causing the sewer to back up.
2. In the case of old age, party connections, clogged lines, root infiltration, or poor maintenance – this is the homeowner’s responsibility and the City will not fix these. We don’t have the resources to take this on at this time.
Sorry for any confusion on this. Please feel free to give me a call to discuss.
Thanks,
Brenda Reiner, EIT
Senior Engineering Technician
City of Molalla
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038
Office: 503.759.0243 I Fax: 503.829.3676
From: Brenda Reiner [mailto:breiner@cityofmolalla.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 9:52 AM
Cc: Andy Peters <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>
Subject: FW: Sewer scope findings
I am reaching out to you to address your concerns about the sewer issues at 720 N Molalla. Please give me a call so we can discuss or provide your phone number and I will give you a call.
Thanks,
Brenda Reiner, EIT
Senior Engineering Technician
City of Molalla
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038
Office: 503.759.0243 I Fax: 503.829.3676
From: Sabanvandi <sabanvandi@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 11:17 AM
To: Andy Peters <apeters@cityofmolalla.com>
Subject: Fwd: Sewer scope findings
Hello Andy,
I am following up about a sewer question you and I spoke of. The line past the property line is cracked and when we spoke you had mentioned ifnitnis past the property line that the city of molalla would take care of it.
The forwarded email is correspondence from the buyer of said property and someone from the city of molalla. Can you please confirm where we stand as it sounds like we are getting conflicting info or there is a miscommunication somewhere between us all?
Property address is 720 N Molalla Ave
Thank you.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Lynda Hofmann <lynda.hofmann@yahoo.com>
Date: Jul 16, 2018 at 10:03 AM
To: Danielle Martin <danielle@daniellemartinhomes.com>, Sabanvandi <sabanvandi@gmail.com>
Subject: Sewer scope findings
Here is a copy of what needed to be done to correct the sewer. This clearly states the sewer line not only needed to be replaced to street, but also needed to be replaced instreet as well which hasn’t happened. This also states the line was backed up under the house and needed to be cleaned to the street which also didn’t happen now my drains are backed up and I have a plumber on the way to clean them, though even after they’re cleaned I will be unable to use my garbage disposal as the electrical is not done correctly. My expectation is that the rest of the sewer be replaced to the main.
I have attached the sewer report and the letter from the city which states they will not repair or replace the lateral.