Laguna is ready to get tougher about your sewer lines’ video surveillance

The Laguna Beach City Council last week supported beefed-up rules that residents would have to follow to keep their sewer lines cleared, but members held off on approving an ordinance change until they get answers to a few questions.

The council unanimously indicated June 2 that it favors the measures, which include offering homeowners incentives to repair damaged sewer pipes and requiring them to submit video inspections of their pipes to the city. Currently, residents are required to do such monitoring, but they do not have to send the video results to the city.

The new rules would also set a deadline for the video inspections, to be done by a plumber paid by the resident. Video inspections by a plumber average $250, city water quality analyst Tracy Ingebrigtsen said.

The city’s aim is to avoid an overflow problem that could affect the greater system. Spillage is often a result of tree roots or grease blocking pipes.

Current triggers for a video inspection include remodeling a kitchen and laundry room and other portions of a house where the cost is 40% or more of the home’s current value, Ingebrigtsen said.

Under the proposed law, the threshold for a video inspection would be any remodel that costs $100,000 or more. Residents would also need a video inspection of their pipes following a spill and if they add plumbing that increases sewage flow.

Property owners would have 30 days to complete the video surveillance and submit a report or receive a written warning indicating they have 15 more days to submit the information.

If they don’t turn in the report within 45 days, the owners could be fined $100 to start.

If the inspection reveals a clogged or damaged pipe that needs repair, residents would have 90 days instead of the current 180 to fix the problem or face fines.

The city wants to help homeowners shoulder some of the costs and will offer a 50% matching incentive up to $1,600 for those needing to replace or repair their private sewer pipes.

Property owners must coordinate the work with the city, which has a list of qualified plumbers.

The city also proposes giving plumbers $50 if they report a blocked pipe and the roots are removed.

Councilman Robert Zur Schmiede wondered whether the plumbers should be given more for alerting the city about a clogged pipe.

Mayor Bob Whalen wondered who would pay for a “bad” spill that backs up into several residents’ properties.

“Let’s say you get your line cleaned out and it goes down and blocks another sewer line...” Whalen said. “We’ve had a hard time in the past because we’ve had a hard time identifying the source. Let’s say you identify the source because there is some enhanced technology. Are we saying that someone is responsible for an administrative fine, or are you responsible for potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars?”

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow asked staff to return with instructions for a property owner who wants to contest a plumber’s opinion that a pipe needs repair and direction on who would make the final decision about whether a fix is in order.

“Ultimately, I want elected officials making the decision, not a hearing officer,” Dicterow said.

The city is considering working with Utility Service Partners Inc. on a warranty program for private sewer pipe repairs.

Under the proposal, residents would pay $10 a month for a policy that covers $4,000 in repairs on private property. The city would need to endorse the company’s product.

If the council enacts the proposed warranty program when it considers the revised ordinance, residents could take advantage of both warranty and incentive programs, Ingebrigtsen said.

If a customer’s repair bill was $5,000, then the warranty would cover $4,000 with $1,000 left over, she explained.

The remaining $1,000 would be evenly shared by the resident and the city per the incentive program.

The residents aren’t in this alone.

The council last week approved a test program calling for the city to video inspect its main sewer pipes and connections with private laterals in an area with a history of damaged pipes.

The goal is to identify tree roots that enter city and private pipes.

If the city finds clogged pipes, it would work with the homeowner on a fix-it plan.

City staff will assess the first area, and the council will decide whether to expand to other parts of the city’s coverage area, which includes north and central Laguna — the Laguna Beach County Water District’s boundaries.

South Coast Water District, which covers portions of South Laguna, has its own public pipe inspection program.

The city hopes to cover some of the costs for the incentive program, which would be available to Laguna Beach County and South Coast customers, and the pilot inspections from proposed sewer rate hikes.

City staff is scheduled to bring a revised ordinance to the council on Tuesday.