Proactive sewer system maintenance requires significant financial investment. At Capri Engineering, we endorse the San Mateo sewer lateral cost-sharing program for its benefits. The initiative is a cost-effective solution for communities seeking to reduce sewer lateral-related issues. Join the program today by partnering with us.
What is the Sewer Lateral Cost Sharing Program?
The sewer lateral cost-sharing program is a grant by the San Mateo City Council to motivate property owners to maintain their sewer laterals. The incentive subsidizes the amount contributed by participants by reimbursing a portion of the lateral sewer costs. Any property owner in San Mateo qualifies for this initiative.
The program usually begins in mid-year. The city council started accepting applications on July 1st, 2024. Any qualified property owner can apply. The grant has limited funds, which get distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Therefore, we recommend using it when the program opens to enjoy reduced sewer lateral services from professional plumbers.
Why the Sewer Lateral Cost-Sharing Program is Essential
San Mateo’s most prevalent problem is sanitary sewer overflows due to broken or damaged private sewage laterals. The city has old houses with predominantly old plumbing systems. The compromised pipelines allow water inflow and infiltration, posing a health risk and reducing the efficiency of the city’s sewer system.
The city council passed the 2011 Sewer Lateral Ordinance (Municipal Code 7.38.432) to curb the wastewater issue. They amended the regulation again in 2020 to reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows and underground seepage.
Participants get up to 50% of their sewer lateral payments reimbursed if they get an approval permit from the city council. The payable amount limit is $2,500. You only need three certified San Mateo plumbing contractor quotes to get your money back.
What the Cost-Sharing Program Covers
The program only refunds sewer lateral funds spent after your application is approved, not for prior work. Furthermore, the funds do not cover partial replacement costs, spot and pothole repairs, extra street resurfacing, or CCTV.
Our Role as Licensed Contractors in The Cost-Sharing Program
We understand the crucial nature of sewer lateral issues and their risks to entire neighbors. The city council cost-sharing program seeks to prevent and reduce sewer lateral problem frequencies before they become hazardous to entire communities. We provide complete sewer lateral replacements in whole neighborhoods in San Mateo, ensuring your sewer line is up to code.
We know partial repairs and replacements do not get refunds from the city council. Therefore, we recommend comprehensive replacements when the sewer lateral structural integrity is severely compromised.
Our process is simple yet effective. We partner with property owners in San Mateo, guide them through the application process, and provide service quotes to increase their permit approval chances. Leverage our expertise and local knowledge in sewer lateral rehabilitation solutions to get back value for your money. Remember, the grant kitty runs out fast. Therefore, we encourage early registration to benefit from this grant.
The Sewer Lateral Cost-Sharing Program Process Breakdown
Step 1: Application
A property owner has to submit an application and quotation instructions via email, mail, fax, or drop it off at the city council’s office. Do not attach your quotation to this application. You can find the application link on the city council’s website.
Step 2: Approval
You will receive an email from the city council for approval and a requirement to attach three quotations from three licensed plumbers or contractors. Ensure that the number of quotes is not exceeded. Remember, the city council only reimburses 50% of the lowest bid for an amount not exceeding $2,500.
Step 3: Quotations
Quotes should detail the price estimate for the complete sewer lateral replacement. It should also include a Cleanout if none is available near the property or the existing one is damaged. Include the quote for the new wye connection at the main line if it is part of the service charge. Add permit costs to the overall price or state it as a separate charge.
Step 4: Additional Deliverables Submissions
If your property is on a street under a Moratorium, your quote will include additional deliverables. The city council will email you the requirements and specifications based on your street’s work progress. We also adhere to California’s plumbing code and city standards when replacing sewer laterals on Moratorium Streets if the applicant is in the cost-sharing program.
Step 5: Contractor Selection
Once your application review is complete, the city council will email you and request you choose one of the three specified contractors. This email is a green light to proceed with the sewer line replacement. After completing the sewer replacement work, submit the Cost Sharing Program reimbursement request form, final paid invoice, finalized Building and Encroachment Permit, and a completed W-9 form to the city council.
Step 6: Implementation
You have up to three months from the San Mateo Sewer Lateral Program acceptance date to complete the work in your sewer lateral before the application expires. The timeline also includes submitting the repayment paperwork. The reimbursement paperwork is available on the city’s website.
Get Affordable Sewer Lateral Services
All our sewer lateral services begin with comprehensive trenchless inspections using high-definition cameras. We are professional, reliable, and fast in service delivery, ensuring every inch of your system is intact and functioning. The final step involves testing to verify that your lateral line is working properly, wastewater flow is efficient, and internal pressure is balanced.
