The Lemon Grove Sanitation District, established as a county sanitation district in 1947, manages and maintains approximately 67 miles of collection pipes that transport sewage to the City of San Diego treatment plants. The district, a separate entity from the City of Lemon Grove with separate financing, is operated as an Enterprise Fund by the City. Any property or building must possess a permit from the Sanitation District prior to connection to the district’s main lines. Permits may be obtained at Lemon Grove City Hall, 3232 Main Street. The costs vary according to the type of property requesting connection.

SEWER SPILL OR OVERFLOW

Any sewer spill or manhole overflow should be reported immediately to: 

• The Lemon Grove Sanitation District: 619-825-3810
• After 5:30 pm, and on weekends, call Heartland Fire & Rescue Dispatch:  619-441-1621

SEWER MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

The Lemon Grove Sanitation District is responsible for maintenance and repair of the sewer main line. This includes routine and emergency cleaning.

If a licensed plumber, acting as the property owner’s agent, determines that the disruption of sewer service is caused by a blockage in the Sanitation District’s sewer main line, as verified by video, the district or its agent will respond to confirm the finding and clear the blockage in the sewer main line.

The City of Lemon Grove is also a participating agency of the Metro Wastewater Joint Powers Authority

Lateral Policy

The lateral is part of the building's plumbing. The property owner is responsible for maintenance and repair from the property owner’s structure to the sewer main. 

Should repairs to or replacement of the lateral require digging in the public right of way, the property owner or agent must obtain an Encroachment Permit from the City. 

ENCROACHMENT PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

1. All work must be performed by a contractor who holds a California C-34 Plumbing Contractor’s License or higher.

2. The Property Owner / Agent is responsible for retaining said contractor.

3. When the lateral work is complete, but prior to backfilling, the Sanitation District and the City must inspect the installation.

4. After the inspection, the licensed contractor shall restore the encroachment area to the satisfaction of the Sanitation District and City.