# Omaha: Who Pays for the Sewer Lateral? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Omaha code makes the property owner responsible for the private sewer connection line, up to and including the point of junction with the public main.

**Who pays:** owner

In Omaha, the property owner must repair or replace the private sewer connection line, up to and including the point of junction with the public main.

**Boundary:** The property owner must keep the private connection line in proper and workable condition and repair or replace it, including portions on the owner's property and portions on public property or easements up to and including the point of junction with the public main.

**Exceptions:** Repair by the city does not absolve the owner of the obligation to perform future repairs or maintenance on the private sewer line.; If a sewer problem is found in your private line, the city tells you and you hire a plumber; you may still file a claim for damages with the City Clerk's office.

## Sources
- [Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 31-2 (Maintenance of private connections, duty of owner)](https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIMUCO_CH31SE) — "The property owner's duty to repair or replace such a connection line shall include those portions upon the owner's property and those portions upon public property or easements up to and including the point of junction with the main public main." (accessed 2026-10-12)
- [Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 31-2 (Maintenance of private connections, duty of owner)](https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIMUCO_CH31SE) — "It shall be the duty of all property owners served by any sewer connection to the public main sewer line to keep such private connection line in proper and workable condition and to repair or replace any such connection line which is clogged, broken or otherwise in need of repair or replacement." (accessed 2026-10-12)
- [Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 31-3 (Repair by city)](https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIMUCO_CH31SE) — "The public works department is hereby authorized to declare a nuisance, and order to be repaired and put in proper working condition, any private sewer connection lines located on private or public property, which are defective or otherwise in need of repair." (accessed 2026-10-12)
- [Omaha Municipal Code Sec. 31-3 (Repair by city)](https://library.municode.com/ne/omaha/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIMUCO_CH31SE) — "The performance of these duties by the public works department is not intended, nor does it absolve the property owner of his obligation to perform future repairs on the private sewer line, to provide past or future maintenance of the private sewer line" (accessed 2026-10-12)
- [Omaha Public Works: Sewer (private line problems)](https://publicworks.cityofomaha.org/sewer/) — "If the problem is found to be your private line rather than the city sewer line, we will inform you as soon as possible. It would then be your responsibility to contact a plumber to service your line and repair any damage which may have occurred. In either case, you may file a claim for damages with the City Clerk’s office." (accessed 2026-10-12)

_Last verified 2026-10-12. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/omaha-ne-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._