Do not plant
trees or have
buildings in
the easement
area
Easement
Area
Personal Property
Sewer Line
What is an easement?
An easement is a legal right to
use another person’s land for a
specic purpose. Property owners
commonly grant easements for public
utility lines such as power, gas, water, or
sewer. A utility easement is attached to the
property deed so that services can be provided
to that property. Thus, easements pass on even when
the property is transferred or sold.
Why does Central San need easements?
Central San maintains more than 1,500 miles of underground sewer
pipes to serve nearly half a million local residents. Wastewater from
your neighborhood ows through these pipes to our treatment
plant in Martinez to be cleaned. While most of our sewers are located
under public streets, some are located on private property based on
engineering requirements. Easements restrict building in that part of the property to help
prevent damage to sewers and ensure Central San can access them for necessary maintenance and repairs.
What is allowed or restricted by a sewer easement?
You may make use of the land over an easement if it does not result in signicant interference with the easement. For example,
modest landscaping and improvements such as lawns, small shrubs, driveways, and sidewalks are generally allowed. However,
you may not plants trees in the easement area or construct permanent structures such as a house, garage, swimming pool, deck,
retaining wall, tennis court, etc.
Why are trees restricted in a sewer easement?
Trees can develop deep and extensive root systems, which may grow into sewer pipes in search of water and nutrients. Root
intrusion can damage or clog the pipes, potentially causing sewer back-ups in your home, street, or local waterway.
What if my property has existing improvements that encroach on the easement area?
Depending on the nature and extent of the encroachment, you may apply to have the encroachment permitted or
“grandfathered” as part of a new easement deed. Each encroachment is unique and handled on a case-by-case basis. Please
contact us to discuss your particular property.
What should I do if I am planning a project that may impact the easement area?
If you are planning to plant trees or build permanent structures such as a building, pool, deck, or retaining wall on your property,
please contact us beforehand so that we may review your plans and mark the location of the sewer. Central San’s review of your
plans is required by local city/county agencies. Early review by Central San will help you speed up the process and avoid issues
with your planning.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the sewer easement on my property?
Email permits@centralsan.org, or call David Kramer at 925-229-7117 or Rick Hernandez at 925-229-7132.
Sewer
Easements:
Your Questions
Answered
XX XX
3 TIPS
for Keeping Your Sewer Lateral in Tiptop Shape
W
hile Central San is responsible for taking care of our more than 1,500 miles of public sewer mains, property owners are
responsible for taking care of their private sewer laterals. The private sewer lateral is the pipe that runs from your house
to the public sewer main located under the street or in the easement on your property.
Each property owner is responsible for the entire lateral from the house to where it connects to Central San’s sewer line. This
includes the portion of the lateral on your property as well as any portion located beneath the sidewalk and street up to and
including the point where the lateral connects to the public main.
There are a few simple steps you can take to help your lateral do its job:
Disposing of
FATS, OILS, GREASE
& WIPES
Keep your pipes free of clog culprits.
IN THE KITCHEN, keep fats, oils, and grease out of the drain.
Compost food scraps or dispose of them in the garbage, never the
garbage disposal.
IN THE BATHROOM, ush only human waste and toilet paper. Never
ush wipes (even if they claim to be ushable–they’re not), feminine
hygiene products, dental oss, condoms, kitty litter, or other
plastic or debris. Put them in the trash can.
1
Tend to your roots.
ROOT INTRUSION is the leading cause of sewer backups.
Keep your private sewer lateral clean and clear by planting
trees and shrubs well away from the pipe. If there are trees near
your lateral, have it inspected/cleaned by a professional plumbing
service at least every other year.
2
Install an overflow protection device (OPD) on the cleanout of your
home’s private lateral.
AN OPD PROVIDES COST-EFFECTIVE
PROTECTION against the mess and expense of a sewer
backup by providing an emergency escape route for
sewage, allowing the overow to occur outside your
home rather than inside. You can nd these inexpensive
devices at plumbing supply stores. We recommend
that you have a licensed plumber install your OPD since
elevation and location are critical for proper function.
Once it is installed, be sure to keep the device clear of
obstructions that might interfere with its operation, such
as dirt or vegetation.
3
NOTE: An OPD will not help if a clog occurs between it and
the house drains, so keep your pipes free of clog culprits (see #1). For more information about OPDs, please call
our friendly Permit Counter sta at 925-229-7371.
