# Sewer Lateral Repair in Boston, MA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Boston owners own the whole sewer lateral to the street main. BWSC grants up to $8,000 (8-ft relay) or $6,000 (full replacement), once per 10 years.

**Who pays:** owner

Boston owners own the entire lateral from the basement to the main, but a BWSC grant covers up to $8,000 of the repair once a decade.

**Boundary:** Owner owns the full lateral from inside the basement to the BWSC main in the street. BWSC owns only the main.

**Property owner:** BWSC: "property owners are responsible for all expenses resulting from maintenance and repair of their property's entire lateral from inside the property's basement to BWSC's sewer main in the street."

**City / agency:** BWSC maintains its sewer main in the public way and offers a one-time grant "up to a maximum reimbursement of either $8,000 for an 8' relay or $6,000 for a full lateral line," once per 10 years.

**Exceptions:** BWSC financial-assistance grant: up to $8,000 (8ft relay) or $6,000 (full replacement), once per 10 years

## Sources
- [Sewer Lateral Financial Assistance Program](https://www.bwsc.org/residential-customers/programs-and-guidelines/sewer-lateral-financial-assistance) — "While BWSC is responsible for maintaining its sewer main located in a public way, property owners are responsible for all expenses resulting from maintenance and repair of their property's entire lateral from inside the property's basement to BWSC's sewer main in the street." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Regulations Governing the Use of Sanitary and Storm Sewers, Section 7(a)](https://www.bwsc.org/sites/default/files/2019-01/sewer_regulations.pdf) — "Building sewers and building storm drains, whether located on public or private property, are owned by the owner of the premises served." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Sewer Lateral Financial Assistance](https://www.bwsc.org/residential-customers/programs-and-guidelines/sewer-lateral-financial-assistance) — "BWSC may provide a one-time grant (up to a maximum reimbursement of either $8,000 for an 8' relay or $6,000 for a full lateral line)" (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-27. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/boston-ma-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._