City of St. John's backtracks on plan to charge for sewer repairs

The City of St. John's has reversed its decision to charge for sewer repairs on privately-owned residential properties.

In the city budget in December, council changed the way it handles lateral water and sewage repairs to private properties — a move they said would save $500,000 a year — and started looking at options for affordable insurance or warranty plans to be offered by private providers.

However, the city said Monday it had determined there are "no cost-effective options for property owners that can be brokered by the city."

Instead, St. John's will go back to offering the service for $500 per call.

"Council shares homeowner concerns about the potential costs of sewer lateral repairs in particular," Coun. Danny Breen, chair of the public works committee, said in a statement.

"And with no other viable options available, we are pleased that leadership, staff and union representatives have identified a way to offer this program."

Meanwhile, the city said in its statement it now charges $100 for repairs on sewer backups and thawing frozen pipes to owner-occupied homes.

The city said it has enhanced that program to include the same service to rental dwellings. This will allow tenants to authorize the city to do necessary sewer repairs at their residence.