The short answer
In Bothell, you own the side sewer: the pipe that runs from your house to the public sewer main. The city or your sewer district owns the main. Who pays for a repair depends on which of those two the problem is in, and cleanup inside your home after a sewage backup is a separate question your insurance may or may not cover.
That line comes from Bothell Municipal Code 18.03.090, which also says use of the sewer on your property is at your own risk. It's blunt, but it tells you where to start: find out where the blockage is.
Who owns what
| Part of the system | Responsible | Where it says so |
|---|---|---|
| Public sewer main | City of Bothell in city sewer areas, or your sewer district | BMC 18.03.090 |
| Side sewer, from the main to your building | Property owner | BMC 18.03.090; Design Standards 6-9.1 |
| Pumps and pressure lines, for homes too low to drain by gravity | Property owner | BMC 18.03.470 |
| Backflow valve, where required | Side sewer owner | BMC 18.03.470; Design Standards 6-9.6 |
| Cleanout at the property line | Required on every side sewer | Design Standards 6-9.7 |
Sources: Bothell Municipal Code, Chapter 18.03 (Section 18.03.090); City of Bothell Design Standards, Chapter 6: Sanitary Sewers.
Common Bothell situations
| What happened | Usually whose problem | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tree roots or grease clog in your side sewer | Owner | Call a plumber to clear the line; ask for camera footage |
| Several neighbors back up at once | Possibly the public main | Call the city or your district right away |
| Your backflow valve failed | Owner | Have a plumber repair or replace it |
| Pump system for a low house failed | Owner | Call a plumber; the pump and pressure line are yours |
| Sewage inside the house, from any cause | Cleanup is handled through you and your insurer | Call a restoration company and your insurer |
How to find out where the problem is
- Stop using water. No flushing, showers or laundry until the line is cleared.
- Ask your neighbors. If they're backing up too, the main may be involved.
- Call the right utility. City sewer customers can reach Public Works at 425-488-0118 from 7 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays, or Police non-emergency at 425-577-5656 after hours. District customers call their district.
- Get a camera inspection. A plumber can run a camera from your cleanout and show whether your side sewer is blocked.
- Document everything. Photos, video, names, times and the plumber's findings.
Source: City of Bothell: Sewer service FAQs.
City sewer or a district?
Only about half of Bothell is on City of Bothell sewer. The rest is served by districts, and your water and sewer providers can be different.
The city's provider page lists sewer providers that include the City of Bothell, Alderwood Water and Wastewater District, Northshore Utility District and Silver Lake Water and Sewer District, and links to an interactive map for address lookups.
Sources: City of Bothell Design Standards, Chapter 6: Sanitary Sewers; City of Bothell: Find your utility provider.
Does insurance cover it?
A standard Washington home policy usually doesn't cover sewer backup. Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner lists sewer backup and sump pump overflow as an optional add-on.
More detail is in our guide to water damage insurance in Washington. If sewage is already in your home, see sewage cleanup in Bothell for safety steps and cleanup.
Source: WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Learn how home insurance works.
Sewer backup questions
Does the City of Bothell pay for sewer backup damage inside my home?
The city's pages don't promise that. Bothell Municipal Code 18.03.090 says the city's responsibility and liability end where your side sewer connects to the public main. If you believe the public main caused the backup, contact the city or your sewer district promptly and document everything.
Who fixes roots in my side sewer?
You do, as the property owner. The side sewer is the pipe between the public sewer line and your building, so roots, grease or a broken section in that pipe are generally the owner's to repair. A plumber with a sewer camera can show where the problem is.
How do I know if the backup came from the public main?
Clues include neighbors having backups at the same time, or a plumber's camera showing your side sewer is clear. Call City of Bothell Public Works at 425-488-0118 if you're a city sewer customer, or your district if a district serves your address.
Do I need a backflow valve?
The City of Bothell can require a backflow device where a backup from the main is reasonably possible, and the side sewer owner is responsible for keeping it working. Washington's Insurance Commissioner also suggests asking a plumber about backflow valves. A plumber can tell you whether your home needs one.