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1. Do I need a permit to install or replace a house sewer service?

The answer is Yes. There is not cost for this permit. We keep the permit information on file to help locate the sewer service should it be necessary in the future.

2. How can I reduce the amount of my sewer bill?

Because your sewer bill is directly linked to the amount of water you use, the best way to reduce your sewer bill is to reduce your water usage (which also saves money). Here is a tip that may save you money. Put some food dye in your toilet tank and then look to see if the color is leaking into the toilet bowl. If it does, you are loosing water through your toilet. It could be a very minor loss or you could be losing 100 or more gallons a day.

3. How is my sewer bill determined?

Your sewer bill is determined in the following manner. All residential households in Portland use a 5/8-inch water meter. The sewer service demand charge for a 5/8” meter is $6.67 per month. In addition to the monthly sewer service demand charge, there is an actual usage charge. The City currently charges $3.39 for every thousand gallons of water used.

For example, if you used 6,000 gallons of water in a month (the average amount of water used by a family of 4) the actual usage charge would be $20.34 [6,000 gal / 10000 gal x $3.39]. Next, add in the monthly sewer service demand charge of $6.67 for a 5/8-inch water meter. Your total sewer bill would then be $27.01 [$6.67 + $20.34 = $27.01].

If you have a different size water meter or if you have any questions regarding your sewer charge please contact the Utility Billing Department at 517-647-3205.

4. What is a sanitary sewer house service and who does it belong to?

A sanitary sewer house service is typically a 4 inch diameter pipe made of iron, clay, plastic that runs underground from the City’s sanitary sewer main to your house. It connects the indoor plumbing of a house to the City’s main sewer line. The sanitary sewer house service is a part of the plumbing system of the home, and is owned by the property owner.

5. Who is responsible for maintaining the sanitary sewer house service?

The property owner is responsible for maintaining their sanitary sewer house service.


Approximately 90% of the problems the homeowner has with their house sewer service is roots growing through joints and cracks in the line. Roots, when large enough, will plug the line causing water from the house to drain away slowly or not at all. This will require the roots to be cut out of the pipe. The property owner will probably need to removed the roots once a year in order to prevent the roots from growing back and plugging the line. Because of the constant maintenance and potential for sewage backing up into the home, many property owners prefer to replace their faulty line with new PVC, schedule 35, plastic pipe.