Where does St. Paul say the owner's line ends?
At the connection with the public main. The city's Sewer Utility defines the owner's line as running from the building to the point of connection, including the wye, at the sewer main.
Because the main sits in the street, the owner's line includes the portion under public property. A blockage anywhere on it is the owner's to clear, and sewer line jetting is one approach worth raising with a pro, with a camera inspection to show visible conditions. Phone for information about the service and to book a visit.
Why does St. Paul regulate who works on private sewers?
Because the work reaches public ground. The city publishes house sewer specifications and requires approved contractors for repairs that extend into the right-of-way.
Cleaning is different from repair: jetting a clog does not need the same approvals as excavating the line. If a camera shows damage under the street, a repair contractor on the city's list would handle that stage.
Who maintains which part of the line in St. Paul?
St. Paul's Sewer Utility page splits the system as shown here.
| Piece of the system | Responsible party | Practical meaning for a backup |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewer main | City of St. Paul Sewer Utility | Report a suspected main problem to the utility |
| Private service from the building to the main, including the wye | Property owner | The owner maintains and repairs it, including under public property |
| Repairs reaching the right-of-way | Owner, through approved contractors | The city publishes specifications for this work |
How does the Mississippi's bluffland affect St. Paul sewers?
Hills and river terraces vary line depth. Summit Hill sits high above Downtown, while the West Side flats sit near river level.
Steep streets mean steep service lines and cleanouts far from the house, which a pro can locate. Old shade trees on the bluff send roots toward clay joints, handled by tree root removal.
Which St. Paul businesses book grease line work?
Grand Avenue, Payne Avenue and West 7th Street restaurants, plus food producers in the Midway.
Commercial grease line jetting clears kitchen lines, and drain jetting cleans branch lines in older flats.
Which hydro jetting services can you book in St. Paul?
Every service on this site is available in St. Paul, for a Summit Hill Victorian, a Highland Park ranch or a Grand Avenue restaurant.
- Sewer line jetting from the cleanout through the owner's line to the main
- Sewer camera inspection to find damage under the street before a repair
- Tree root removal for roots from bluff-top shade trees
- Drain jetting for kitchen, laundry and bath branches in flats
- Commercial grease line jetting for Grand Avenue, Payne Avenue and West 7th kitchens
- Sewer backup help for basement drains and toilets that overflow
- Storm drain jetting for lots and drains at Midway shops and plants
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across St. Paul, including Summit Hill, Macalester-Groveland, Highland Park, Payne-Phalen, the West Side, Dayton's Bluff, Como and Downtown.
Nearby, hydro jetting in Minneapolis has its own page. Help is also available in Roseville, Maplewood, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Falcon Heights, Woodbury and Eagan. See the Minnesota page for every city we cover.