The common repairs: sewer lateral, water service line, curb trap

Independent guide · sources checked October 6, 2026

Most defect notices point to one of three areas: the sewer lateral, the water service line, or the curb trap and vent near your front wall. Which one failed decides which permit the job needs, whether the street gets opened, and much of the cost. Pipe names are explained on who owns which pipe.

First: finding out what actually failed

The notice tells you where PWD spotted a problem, not necessarily everything that is wrong; PWD's flyer warns the defect "may not be the only issue."[source] PWD's manual says "it is the Plumber's responsibility to determine the extent of repair work required."[source] A PWD handout notes that plumbers can check the condition of a lateral "without digging up the pipe."[source] Ask each plumber how they will diagnose the problem before they price it, and whether they will show you what they found.

Sewer lateral repair or replacement

The lateral is the pipe from your house drain to the City sewer under the street. A PWD handout puts it at "an average of six to seven feet below ground."[source] Because it runs under the sidewalk and often the street, this is usually the biggest job.

• Permit: "A person may not reconnect, replace, or repair an existing lateral connection until they have obtained a Sewer Connection Permit."[source]
• Repair vs. new connection: replacing part or all of an existing lateral counts as a repair. Changing the lateral's size "is automatically considered a new connection," which needs more approvals.[source]
• Digging notice: before excavation, the plumber must call PA One Call (811). Except in a real emergency, that call must be made "not less than three and not more than ten business days" before digging.[source]
• PWD inspection: the plumber must give PWD at least 48 hours' notice before excavation, and a PWD inspector must inspect "from the start of connection/repair to the completion of backfilling 1-foot over the City Sewer."[source]
• Emergencies: if the repair is an emergency, the plumber "may start work immediately, but must obtain all proper permits within three (3) days of starting." Off-hours inspection may add fees.[source]
• The street: street openings are permitted in square feet: "18 sq. ft. minimum; extra cuts increase square feet in 9 sq. ft. increments." Work in the street also needs Streets Department lane closure permits.[source]
• Repairing from inside the pipe: L&I lists "sealing a lateral" as work eligible for an EZ plumbing permit.[source] PWD's manual says boring or tunnelling in the public right-of-way "is generally not permitted" without written approval from PWD and the Streets Department.[source] If a plumber offers a no-dig method, ask which permit covers it and whether it fixes the defect PWD marked.

Water service line repair or replacement

On the water side, the water service pipe runs from the main to the curb stop, and the water supply pipe runs from the curb stop into the house.[source] Both are the owner's.[source]

• Permits: PWD says "Water and Sewer Connection Permits are required to install or repair water services and sewer laterals."[source] L&I lists "new or replacement water service, with service to a single building" among EZ-permit work.[source]
• Lead lines: if PWD's map shows your line as lead, or "incomplete records," PWD says to treat it as lead.[source] Replacing a confirmed lead service line can qualify for the HELP loan without a Notice of Defect.[source]

Curb trap, vent (FAI) and main house drain

These sit near your front wall: the main house drain carries waste out, the curb trap blocks sewer gas, and the vent pipe or fresh air inlet (FAI) lets air into the system.[source]

• Permit: an L&I Plumbing Permit.[source] L&I lists "new or replacement curb trap or fresh air inlet" and "new or replacement house drain, with service to a single building" as EZ-permit work, which means no plans are needed.[source]
• The sidewalk: L&I says "all disturbances to the City sidewalk need Streets Department footway permit," which is issued automatically with the plumbing permit.[source]

Next: permits and licences