Private Lateral Program

KUB operates a Private Lateral Program (PLP), as required under its Wastewater Rules and Regulations. The PLP helps protect the environment by ensuring property owners fix defective laterals and remove prohibited connections. Private sewer laterals connect customers’ property to KUB’s sewer system.

When KUB inspects sewer laterals, inspectors review the inspection data to identify defects that may allow excess rainwater or groundwater to enter the sewer system or that may allow sewage to exit the sewer pipes. They also look for prohibited connections, like roof downspouts or groundwater sump pumps, that allow rainwater to enter a sewer lateral and KUB’s wastewater system.

Broken laterals and prohibited connections can overload KUB's sewers with rainwater and contribute to sewer overflows. Leaking laterals can also pollute area waterways, and broken laterals may cause sewage backups in homes. When KUB finds a defective lateral or prohibited connection, it mails the property owner a packet that includes an enforcement schedule and a number to call [865-594-8270] for more information on the repair finding.

If a customer has sewage backing up in their home or overflowing from the lateral onto the ground, call 865-524-2911 to report the problem. There could be a problem with the private lateral.

 
To help protect customer property and the environment, see Understanding Your Sewer Lateral.