How do Sacramento's sewers work?
Sacramento runs two kinds of public sewer. The older central city has a combined sewer system that carries sewage and stormwater in the same pipes; the rest of the city has separated sewers for wastewater only. Either way, the lateral that serves your building is private from where it meets the main.
The city's Sewer System Management Plan describes the combined system as serving roughly 7,545 acres in the older central area, and says city crews maintain the mains and manholes while laterals are private. That puts clearing a clogged lateral on the owner, which is where sewer line jetting comes in. Call now to get information about the service and book a visit.
What makes Sacramento laterals clog?
Older pipe, big trees and grease. Sacramento's own plan notes that its separated public sewers are mostly vitrified clay and reinforced concrete pipe, and older private laterals often match. Clay pipe has joints every few feet that roots can enter.
Sacramento's tree-lined neighborhoods are part of its character, and roots look for water in aging laterals. Los Angeles County Public Works explains how this happens: roots grow around a sound pipe, but tiny root hairs enter through even a small leak and grow quickly inside. Combined with kitchen grease, that can lead to repeat clogs. Tree root removal and a camera inspection find and clear the cause.
Who maintains which part of the line in Sacramento?
Sacramento's sewer plan treats laterals as private from the point of connection with the main.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public mains and manholes, including the central combined system | City Department of Utilities | City crews maintain these |
| Lateral from the connection with the main onto the property | Property owner | Clogs and repairs are private |
| Combined sewer area in the older central city | City-operated, about 7,545 acres | Heavy rain adds load to the same pipes |
What does the combined sewer area mean for your home?
In the combined area, heavy rain adds a large volume of stormwater to the same pipes that carry sewage. A lateral already narrowed by grease or roots has less room to drain, so low fixtures can back up during storms.
Keeping the lateral clean before the rainy season and asking about backflow protection for basement or low-level drains are practical steps. If water is already rising, see sewer backup and main line clogs and call now.
Hydro jetting services in Sacramento
All seven hydro jetting services are available across Sacramento for homes, offices and restaurants.
- Sewer line jetting from cleanout to the city main
- Tree root removal for clay laterals under mature trees
- Sewer camera inspection before buying or after repeat clogs
- Drain jetting for kitchen and laundry lines
- Commercial grease line jetting for restaurants downtown and in Midtown
- Sewer backup help during storms and emergencies
- Storm drain jetting for private lots and campuses
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Sacramento, including Midtown, East Sacramento, Land Park, Curtis Park, Oak Park, Natomas, Pocket, Arden-Arcade, Tahoe Park and Downtown.
Nearby local pages cover hydro jetting in Stockton, Oakland and San Jose. Help is also available in Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, Vacaville and Yuba City. The California page lists every city we cover.