[Ord. No. 815 §1, 5-17-1999; Ord. No. 845 §§1 — 2, 5-14-2001; Ord. No. 860 §§I — II, 1-14-2002]
A. 
A "sewer lateral" is defined as the position of the sewage system that carries household wastes to the MSD or private sewer main and which lies between the residential dwelling's structure foundation wall or exterior wall and the sewer main. The definition is the same whether the pipe is located in the front, side or rear yard. Damage or blocked pipes located within the exterior walls of the unit are not covered under this program.
B. 
This service is not available to commercial or industrial property. Also, this service is not available to multi-family buildings.
C. 
If an owner is experiencing a problem with the lateral sewer service line, the owner should contact a plumbing company or a drain and sewer cleaning company licensed by St. Louis County to have the lined cabled. Sometimes the problem is not with the sewer line, but it may have become clogged up from the entry of improper materials into the line. The cost of cleaning out the sewer line will not be a reimbursable cost item.
D. 
If the problem is not resolved by cabling of the line, the property owner should contact the City of Pine Lawn between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. The owner must fill out an application with the City Clerk at City Hall in triplicate.
Before being processed, each property owner must provide a copy of the property owner's most recent paid real estate tax bills (which must show said property owner is current in all obligations shown thereon) and must similarly provide proof of having all balances paid and current with respect to any and all City fees and taxes, including personal property taxes and trash fees.
E. 
The City may arrange for the Metropolitan Sewer District to perform a dye test. In most instances, this will disclose whether there is a break in the sewer service line.
F. 
If a dye test is performed and does not indicate a break in the sewer service line, the owner may hire a contractor to televise the line so that the cause of the problem can be determined. If that discloses that the line is defective, the cost of such testing to a maximum of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) is includable as part of the reimbursable cost.
G. 
When it is determined from the television inspection that the service line is defective, bids shall be solicited for the necessary repair work from a least three (3) plumbing contractors or drainlayer firms licensed to perform such work in St. Louis County to ensure that the bidders have given a fair, competitive bid.
H. 
From the bids it has received, the City of Pine Lawn may hire the contractor which it determines has submitted the lowest responsible bid to repair the sewer service line. The contract shall obtain any necessary permits from the City of Pine Lawn and St. Louis County, perform the work in compliance with applicable St. Louis County and Pine Lawn codes and submit an itemized bill to the City of Pine Lawn upon completion of the repair work. The contractor is expected to accomplish the contracted work within a fourteen (14) day period.
I. 
The corrective work which is subject to reimbursement from the fund is limited to excavation, repair or replacement of the defective portion of the line, backfilling and seeding and strawing of the disturbed portion of the yard. Additional work shall be done at the homeowner's expense.
J. 
Upon completion of the corrective work and confirmation that the contracted work has been accomplished, the City of Pine Lawn will pay the contractor for one hundred percent (100%) of the corrective work, not to exceed the amount of the approved bid, and not to exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per repair.
K. 
The City of Pine Lawn has no obligation or responsibility for the performance by the contractor and no responsibility for any damages caused to the owner's property because of the sewer line defects.
L. 
This stated program shall not include damage to lateral lines which occur from "acts of God" such as, but not limited to, earthquake, tornadoes, floods or other natural disasters.