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Connecting a Sewer Service Line

Need a new sanitary sewer line (lateral) installed at your residence or business?

If you are doing work inside your home or business, hire a plumber. Otherwise, follow the steps below for sewer lateral construction work outside such as:

  • New sewer connection

  • Sewer lateral upgrade, repair or replacement

  • Disconnect and abandonment

Looking for information about our Septic Tank Elimination Program

We strive to ensure our customers are able to request service lines at their convenience 24/7.

Our online submitting feature offers you the opportunity to:

  • Submit a request 24/7

  • Upload Site/Utility plans and other necessary documents

  • Reply with questions or concerns and receive timely, trackable responses

  • Request meters with the click of a link at any time

 


 

1. Check Availability

If you are unsure if sanitary sewer is available in your area, please select the link below and complete a Utility Availability Request. Citizens Energy Group will respond within 3-5 business days. Submit a Utility Availability Request online any time!

Utility Availability Request

 


 

2. Select a Contractor

If sanitary sewer is available to your property, you will need to hire a general contractor or plumber to perform sanitary sewer lateral construction activity exterior of the building. 

To obtain the necessary permit(s) and complete the sanitary sewer lateral construction, your contractor must meet the following requirements:

  • For Indianapolis - Contractor must be listed, insured and bonded with the City of Indianapolis.

  • For Westfield - Contractor must be licensed by the State of Indiana or bonded to the utility’s satisfaction.

Very important Reminder: Citizens Energy Group does not make recommendations for specific contractors. Contractors should be qualified to service, install, or replace exterior sanitary sewer laterals. Citizens Energy Group suggests that you discuss your specific needs and details of sanitary sewer lateral connection with your contractor to get an estimate of the cost to complete installation work.

 


 

3. Contractor Submits a Sewer Permit Application 

The contractor will then apply online and obtain a permit for a sanitary sewer connection prior to completing the work.

Sewer Lateral Permit Application

Once Citizens Energy Group receives a completed sanitary sewer connection permit application from a contractor for single-family residential use, it typically takes 2-3 business days for review and approval.

The review timeframes for commercial, industrial and multi-family applications will vary depending on the complexity of the project. Initial review may take 1-2 weeks.

 


 

4. Citizens Issues a Permit

Prior to issuance of the sanitary sewer connection permit, Citizens Energy Group will assess fees:

  • For Indianapolis -  $2,530 connection fee and $236 permit fee

  • For Westfield -  $2,000 connection fee

The sanitary sewer connection fee for commercial, industrial or multi-family uses will be based on several different factors. Please refer to the pdf Connection Fee Calculation Worksheet to determine your actual sewer connection fee. These fees will be charged during the permit review and issuance process. 

Upon approval of the application, Citizens Energy Group will provide the permit applicant with an email notification of approval.  This approval notification will also include links to directions and links for electronic payment of any required fees.

The contractor or property owner may then pay any required permit or connection fees.  Once the fees have been paid, the permit will be issued and emailed to the applicant and the work may begin.  

 


 

5. Construction

Once the contractor has obtained the permit, the sewer lateral construction may begin. The contractor will dig the trench, install the proposed sanitary sewer lateral pipe, make any necessary connections and leave the trench open.

If the contractor is having difficulty locating the lateral stub on the sewer main, they can submit a Lateral Locate Request.

 


 

6. Inspection

Once construction has been completed, the contractor will contact Citizens Energy Group to request an inspection. 

Inspection Request

Inspections will typically be completed that same day or the following business day. The Citizens Energy Group inspector will determine compliance with Citizens Energy Group sanitary sewer standards. If the work passes inspection, Citizens will allow the contractor to backfill and close the trench and proceed with any necessary restoration work.

 


 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if sanitary sewer is available to my property?

If you are unsure if sanitary sewer service is available to your property, please complete a Utility Availability Request. Citizens Energy Group will email a response within 3-5 business days.

Who installs the sanitary sewer lateral?

The property owner is responsible for hiring a contractor that must meet the following requirements:

  • For Indianapolis - Contractor must be listed, insured and bonded with the City of Indianapolis.

  • For Westfield - Contractor must be licensed by the State of Indiana or bonded to the Utility’s satisfaction.

The contractor will apply online and obtain a sanitary sewer connection permit prior to completing the work.  The contractor will install sanitary sewer lateral pipe outside of the structure and make any necessary connections to the sanitary sewer main (this may be on the other side of the street).

How much will I be charged by Citizens Energy Group?

Citizens Energy Group assess the following fees:

  • For Indianapolis -  $236.00 permit fee and $2,530 connection fee

  • For Westfield -  $1,000 connection fee

There may also be a subsequent connector fee if connecting to a sanitary sewer main that is less than 10 years old.  When applicable, subsequent connection fee may range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. This fee is a portion of the original cost of the sanitary sewer main that was constructed across the frontage of the property. Subsequent connection fees collected are refunded to the persons who paid for the main construction, based on Citizens rules, as defined by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).  If the sanitary sewer main is more than 10 years old, there will likely be no subsequent connection fees. Understandably, the subsequent connection fee is address-specific.

How much will a plumber or contractor charge?

This will vary depending on the project. Citizens Energy Group suggests getting several quotes to compare prices.

Who completes the application for a sanitary sewer permit?

The appropriately licensed and bonded contractor or plumber must apply online for a permit to complete the work. 

I am a licensed contractor but, I do not have a bond on file with Citizens Energy Group. Do I need one?

General contractors or plumbers performing sanitary sewer lateral construction work are not required to be bonded directly with Citizens Energy Group.

How long does it take to get a permit?

Once we receive a completed application, it takes approximately 2-3 business days for a contractor or plumber to receive the permit.

The initial review and response time for commercial, industrial or multi-family applications may take 1-2 weeks.

Who performs the work?

The contractor will install all sanitary sewer lateral pipe outside of the structure and make any necessary connections to the sanitary sewer main (this may be on the other side of the street).

Citizens Energy Group will inspect the sanitary sewer lateral construction prior to the contractor back-filling the trench.

As a property owner, what are my responsibilities?

A property owner is responsible for maintaining the sanitary sewer lateral from the home to the connection point at the main. This in accordance with Citizens' Terms and Conditions of Wastewater Service, which are approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).

As a property owner, am I able to fix or repair my own sewer lateral?

No, only a licensed contractor or plumber can perform this work.

What type of sanitary sewer lateral construction work requires a permit?

Any alteration, relocation, repair, replacement, new connection, disconnection or abandonment of any portion of a sanitary sewer system external of the footprint of a building requires the issuance of a sanitary sewer lateral permit prior to commencement of work.

What type of sanitary sewer lateral work may be completed without a permit?

Only typical cleaning and maintenance of sanitary sewer lateral systems may be completed without first obtaining a permit. This includes the use of typical snaking, cleaning, or root removal systems.

No construction work to the lateral including repairs, installation of clean-outs, replacement or lining of the sanitary lateral may be completed without a permit.

I am a contractor and need to locate utility lines and right of ways. What do I do?

For line locates please contact Call Before You Dig at 811, which is required by law in the state of Indiana.

For right of way and easement information, it is the contractor’s responsibility to gather the right of way measurements.

I have questions concerning the specific standards of construction. What should I do?

pdf Sanitary Standards Manual and Sanitary Sewer Service Terms & Conditions information can be found on our website.

How do I pay for the sewer permit fees?

After the sewer permit application is approved, the applicant is emailed a request for payment, which can be made online by clicking the link in the email. A contractor can forward this email to a homeowner for payment.

Payments can also be mailed to 2020 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Please include the account number provided in the email. If the payment is made via mail, the applicant must notify the New Service Contact Center at (317) 927-4444 for permit issuance.

How can I tell if the contractor has applied for a permit?
  • For Indianapolis - The City of Indianapolis provides a Citizen Access Portal which provides information regarding permits.

  • For Westfield - Contact the New Service Contact Center at (317) 927-4444.