Nashville, TN
Sewer service line repair in Nashville
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Short answer
In Nashville, the property owner owns and maintains the sewer service line from the building to the public sewer main. If a problem sits in the part of your line inside the sewer easement, Metro Water Services may inspect, clean or repair it; otherwise it's a private plumber's job. For a backup a plumber can't clear, call MWS emergency service at 615-862-4600.
What's different in Nashville
Under Metro ordinance, the property owner owns and maintains the service line from the building to the public sewer main. [1]
If the problem is in the owner's service line within the sewer easement, Metro Water Services may provide equipment and labor to inspect, clean or repair it. [1]
The owner pays for cutting and reattaching the pipe and backfilling, unless MWS repairs or replaces the pipe within the easement. [1]
For a sewage backup a plumber can't solve, call Metro Water Services at 615-862-4600 and ask for emergency service. [1]
Easement or yard?
The easement is the strip around the public main, often along a rear lot line or under the street. A camera inspection with a locator shows whether the failure is inside it. That one fact decides whether MWS might take the repair or you pay a plumber for everything.
The order to work in
Call a plumber first
Have the line cleared and, if it recurs, run a camera inspection.
Locate the defect
Mark where it is relative to the easement.
Contact MWS if it's in the easement
Or if a plumber can't clear a backup: 615-862-4600.
Nashville conditions
- Shallow soil over limestone in much of the county, which complicates excavation.
- Heavy spring storms that surcharge older sewers; see preventing basement sewer backups.
What Nashville homeowners usually check next
- SymptomSewer smell in the house
Common questions
Who owns the sewer line from my Nashville house to the main?
The property owner, under Metro ordinance.
Will Metro Water Services fix my sewer line?
It may help with problems inside the sewer easement; elsewhere the line is the owner's to repair.
Who fills the hole after a Nashville sewer repair?
The owner, unless MWS repairs or replaces the pipe within the easement.
What number handles Nashville sewer emergencies?
Metro Water Services, 615-862-4600; ask for emergency service.
When should I call Metro Water instead of a plumber?
When a plumber can't clear a backup, or a camera shows the problem inside the easement.
How do I know if my Nashville sewer problem is in the easement?
A camera inspection with a locator marks the defect's position relative to the main.
Does limestone affect Nashville sewer repairs?
Shallow rock can make excavation slower and costlier, which favors trenchless methods when possible.
Do Nashville storms cause sewer backups?
Heavy rain can surcharge older sewers; a backwater valve helps low fixtures.
Can a Nashville sewer line be lined instead of replaced?
Often, if the pipe is intact enough.
Who reattaches my pipe if MWS repairs the easement section?
MWS reattaches and backfills when it repairs or replaces pipe within the easement.
More plumbing help in Nashville
How other cities handle it
- Sewer lateral repair and compliance in OaklandEBMUD's private sewer lateral rules in Oakland: when you need a compliance certificate, how long it lasts, the inspection, and what sellers should do first.
- Side sewer repair in SeattleSeattle side sewer rules: owners maintain the entire side sewer, when you need an SDCI permit, emergency repair rules, typical permit fees, and shared lines.
- Sewer lateral repair in PortlandPortland sewer lateral rules: how responsibility is split with the City, the code that defines it, and the separate permits for private property and the street.
- Sewer line repair in OmahaOmaha sewer lateral responsibility: owners own the pipe to the city main, even beneath the street, what that means for repair costs, and how to check your line.
- Sewer lateral repair in AtlantaAtlanta's private sewer lateral rules: owner responsibility through the connection, what a notice of participation means, required video inspection, and next steps.
- Sewer line repair in Boise: what the owner is responsible forSewer line repair in Boise: city code makes owners responsible for the private service line to the main, including cleaning.
- Sewer lateral repair in Los Angeles and the LASAN rebateSewer lateral repair in Los Angeles: owners maintain the upper and lower lateral to the street main, and LA Sanitation's rebate reimburses up to $2,500 of the cost.
- Sewer lateral repair in MinneapolisMinneapolis sewer laterals: owners maintain the line to the main, wye included, and the city's assessment program spreads costs over property taxes.
- Sewer and water line repair in Philadelphia: the HELP loanPhiladelphia sewer and water line repair: PWD's HELP loan covers repairs at 0% interest over 60 months after a Notice of Defect.
- Sewer lateral roots and repairs in San DiegoSan Diego sewer laterals: owners keep them clear of roots, grease and debris, the city responds to damage in the public right-of-way, and neglect gets billed back.
- Sewer lateral repair in NewarkNewark sewer laterals belong to the homeowner from the house to the main. Who to call for a backup, what a plumber checks, and repairs in dense rowhouse blocks.
- Sewer line repair in New York CityIn New York City, owners maintain the sewer line from the building up to and including the connection to the city sewer. DEP repair orders, costs and options.
- Sewer lateral repair in Boston and the BWSC grantBoston sewer laterals: owners pay for the entire lateral from the basement to BWSC's main, and BWSC's grant offers up to $3,000 toward work under the street.
- Sewer line repair in PhoenixPhoenix sewer lines: owners clean and repair the building connection to the public sewer, but the city fixes broken sections in the right-of-way for homes.
- Sewer lateral repair in San FranciscoSan Francisco sewer laterals: the owner owns the whole lateral and repairs the upper section to the curb; SFPUC usually repairs the lower section. Permits explained.
- Sewer lateral repair in SacramentoSacramento sewer laterals: owners maintain the upper lateral, SacSewer owns the lower lateral from the easement or right-of-way, and how cleanouts mark the split.
- Sewer line clogs in San Antonio and SAWS lateral reimbursementSan Antonio sewer clogs: a licensed plumber clears your side, and if the blockage is past your property, SAWS may reimburse costs. Marking, the call and paperwork.
- Sewer lateral repair in PittsburghPittsburgh sewer laterals: owners are responsible from PWSA's main to their plumbing, PWSA keeps the main and the wye.
- Sewer line repair in RaleighRaleigh sewer laterals: the owner's line runs from the house to the city main, the city fixes main breaks in the street, common causes, and the 24/7 overflow line.
- Side sewer repair in TacomaTacoma side sewers: owners maintain the line from the building to the city main, right-of-way work needs a licensed bonded contractor, and Sewer Conservation Loans.
Sources (1)
- Metro Water Services Nashville, Sewer line policy · checked 2026-10-03