In October 2024, the City adopted a policy that would allow homeowners to replace their sanitary laterals, free of charge if part of a City-led project, from the sanitary sewer main all the way to their home via pipe bursting.

At the February 12, 2024 Board of Public Works Meeting, Engineering staff presented on Full Length Sanitary Lateral Replacements. You can watch that portion of the meeting here:

Pipe bursting is a technique used to replace sanitary sewer laterals by pulling a new plastic pipe through the existing host pipe.  There are two excavations required, one in the basement floor and the other at the sanitary sewer main.  The advantage to this technique is that there is a new, homogeneous plastic pipe from the house all the way to the main.  The diagram below provides an overview of the process:

Pipe Bursting Diagram

CITY-LED PROJECT

The City of De Pere is offering pipe bursting of sanitary sewer laterals as part of the utility relay and street resurfacing projects.  The standard practice for the City has been replacing clay and concrete sanitary sewer laterals from the sanitary sewer main, which is usually located in the middle of the road, to the property line which is located on the backside of the sidewalk.  This is done by excavating down to the existing sanitary sewer lateral and physically replacing the pipe.  This is considered the open cut method, as the contractor is required to open the road and dig down to the pipe needing replacement.  Often, this work is done in conjunction with the water service replacement for a property as they are commonly found in the same trench.

There are mutual benefits in completing this work for both the homeowner and the City.  The negative effects of tree roots, offset pipes, cracked pipes, and inflow and infiltration would all be mitigated through this process as pipe bursting would result in one homogeneous pipe, with fused joints immune to tree roots and inflow and infiltration.

To summarize pipe bursting in conjunction with City led utility relay projects:

  • 100% funding of eligible expenses.  Eligible expenses include the cost for pipe bursting/lining.  Repairing the concrete floor.  The cost to restore finished basements (walls, floors, finishes, etc) along with other items such as backflow preventers, basement piping and plumbing are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • Sump basin installation will be completed by the City if it is found through pre-televising that the foundation drain is directly connected to the sanitary lateral.  The property owner will be responsible for the sump pump and pump piping costs.  Sump pump and pump piping costs are eligible for partial funding through the Foundation Drain Disconnection Program. 
  • Homeowners will have the option to purchase a backwater check-valve as part of this work. A check-valve is installed to prevent water from flowing backwards into the home.  The billing of this work would be coordinated directly through the contractor.
  • All property owners will be notified of the program and given the option to voluntarily participate.
  • Costs for this part of the program will be included with the capital costs for the projects.
  • Starting in 2025, for City led projects, a property owner will only be eligible for the full lateral relay using pipe bursting at the time of the project.  If the City relays the sanitary lateral to the right of way as part of the project and the property owner does not participate in pipe bursting, this property will not be eligible for City participation in the future.
  • For partial lateral relays that were completed by the City with a City project prior to 2025, the City will participate in the private lateral relay from the right of way to the house.
  • Existing clay, concrete, cast iron, or ductile iron laterals are eligible.

PROPERTY ENTRY

Prior to work start, the City will coordinate access onto private property with the property owner.  A temporary construction easement would be signed for the duration of work to allow the City and its crew to access the property and enter the home to complete this work.  A small excavation in the basement floor would be required.

PRIVATE LATERAL REPLACEMENT (OUTSIDE OF CITY-LED PROJECTS)

There are many situations where private laterals require repair outside of a City project.  The City will provide an incentive up to 50% for full lateral replacement through pipe bursting or sewer lining.  Laterals relayed outside of a City project, will be led by the property owner.  The property owner will be responsible to hire a contractor to complete the work.  Property owners will be eligible for up to a 50% reimbursement, up to $3,000 ($6,000 project cost).  Eligible expenses will include the cost to pipe burst or line, replace the concrete floor in the basement, landscape restoration and permits.  The cost to restore finished basements (walls, floors, finishes, etc) along with other items such as backflow preventers, basement piping and plumbing are not eligible for reimbursement.

In addition to pipe bursting, the project would add the option of sanitary lateral lining.  Lining in sanitary sewer laterals is similar to sanitary sewer main lining completed by the City.  Under this situation, the sewer is cleaned, a pipe liner is inserted into the pipe and cured.  Like pipe bursting, sanitary sewer lateral lining would be eligible for 50% reimbursement by the City and the entire lateral, from the sanitary sewer main out in the road to the basement would need to be lined.

To summarize pipe bursting outside of City led utility relay projects:

  • The entire length of the lateral is replaced by the property owner with a City approved method, which at this time is pipe bursting or lining.
  • Property owners will need to contact the City and obtain permits prior to commencing the work.
  • 50% funding of eligible expenses up with a maximum reimbursement of $3,000 ($6,000 project).  Eligible expenses include the cost for pipe bursting/lining.  Repairing the concrete floor.  The cost to restore finished basements (walls, floors, finishes, etc) along with other items such as backflow preventers, basement piping and plumbing are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • A Street Excavation Permit is required but will be treated as an emergency repair with no charge.
  • Backfilling within City right of way shall be completed under the supervision of City staff.
  • The City will complete asphaltic concrete pavement restoration at no cost to the property owner.
  • Post construction televising will be required.
  • The City will set aside a set amount of funds for the private led lateral replacement.  Once the funds are exhausted for the year, property owners will need to wait until the next year to be reimbursed.  Invoices will be submitted within six months of completing the work.
  • A property is only eligible for the 50% cost share once.
  • Existing clay, concrete, cast iron, or ductile iron laterals are eligible.
  • For partial lateral relays that were completed by the City with a City project prior to 2025, the City will participate in the private lateral relay from the right of way to the house.

If you are interested in this pipe bursting program as part of City led utility relay work or you are in need of replacing your sanitary sewer lateral please reach out to the City of De Pere Engineering Division at dppubwrks@deperewi.gov or call at 920-339-4061.

Printable Pipe Bursting Handout

Full Length Lateral Replacement Policy