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

> In Pittsburgh the property owner is responsible for the entire sewer lateral; Pittsburgh Water maintains the sewer main and a small portion at the wye.

**Who pays:** owner

In Pittsburgh, the property owner is responsible for the entire sewer lateral; Pittsburgh Water handles the main and the wye.

**Boundary:** The entire sewer lateral, from the Pittsburgh Water sewer main to the internal plumbing, is the property owner's responsibility; Pittsburgh Water maintains the sewer main and a small portion at the joint, known as a wye.

## Sources
- [Pipe Ownership](https://www.pgh2o.com/residential-commercial-customers/pipe-ownership) — "A sewer lateral runs from the Pittsburgh Water sewer main to your internal plumbing. The entire sewer lateral is the responsibility of both residential and commercial property owners. Pittsburgh Water maintains the sewer main and a small portion at the joint, which is known as a wye." (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [Sewage Backups](https://www.pgh2o.com/projects-maintenance/common-issues-questions/sewage-backups) — "If it is a broken or clogged sewer main, we are responsible. If it is a broken or clogged sewer lateral, the property owner is responsible." (accessed 2026-10-09)

_Last verified 2026-10-09. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/pittsburgh-pa-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._