Sewer Inspection and Cleaning in St. Charles, MO
Independent sewer camera inspection, diagnostics, line locating, hydro jetting and sewer cleaning for St. Charles properties. The City runs its own sewer system and its own lateral repair program, so get clear evidence of what is happening inside your sewer line before you apply, buy a home, or approve major work.
- Camera inspection with documented findings
- Cleaning and hydro jetting when the evidence supports it
- Locally owned and family-operated since 2011
Request a Sewer Inspection
Tell us what is going on. We will follow up during business hours.
Step 1 of 4
What happens next
- Send your request or call us
- We schedule your inspection
- You review the recorded findings
For sewage backing up into your home, the City’s guidance is to have a plumber or drainlayer cable the lateral, then contact City Public Works about its lateral program.
Key takeaways
- The City of St. Charles runs its own sanitary sewer system through its Public Works Sewer Division. Guidance written for MSD customers does not apply here.
- The City’s Sewer Lateral Repair Program reimburses 90 percent of authorized repair cost, up to $7,500, for qualifying homes inside City limits, funded by a $28 annual fee on the real estate tax bill. A share of any repair stays with the owner.
- A sewer camera inspection gives you recorded evidence before you clean, buy, or approve major work.
Services in St. Charles
Sewer Inspection, Diagnostics and Cleaning Services in St. Charles
Sewer Camera Inspection
See recorded video of the accessible sewer line. An inspection can help identify observed conditions and support an informed next-step decision.
Best when you want to see what is inside the line.
Sewer Cleaning
Remove buildup and obstructions from sewer lines when cleaning is appropriate. A camera inspection can help document line conditions before or after cleaning.
Best when a line is slow or partly blocked.
Hydro Jetting
Use high-pressure water to clear eligible sewer lines. Whether jetting is appropriate depends on the line’s observed condition.
Best when buildup keeps returning.
Sewer Cleaning & Camera Inspection
Combine cleaning with visual documentation of the line. See what was observed and whether cleaning changed the conditions visible on camera.
Best when you want proof of what cleaning changed.
Sewer Line Locating
Help identify the route of an accessible sewer line and locate a specific area when conditions allow. Useful when planning evaluation or work.
Best when you need to know where the line runs.
Drain Cleaning
Address buildup or blockages in drain lines, sinks, tubs and fixtures. The service focuses on the affected drain and the reported symptoms.
Best when one sink, tub or fixture is clogged.
Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
Get a visual assessment of accessible portions of the sewer line before buying a property. The findings can help inform your due diligence.
Best when you are buying a home.
Recurring Sewer Backup Diagnosis
Investigate recurring backups and document conditions observed during the inspection. Findings can help clarify what may be contributing to the problem.
Best when backups keep coming back.
Preventative Sewer Maintenance
Arrange sewer inspection or cleaning based on the line’s condition and needs. Recommendations should be guided by observed evidence.
Best when you want to stay ahead of problems.
Not sure which service you need?
Tell us what is happening and we will point you to the right inspection or cleaning.
Google reviews of The Sewer Pros
4.9 out of 5from 595 Google reviews · as of
These are reviews of The Sewer Pros’ St. Louis-area Google profile. They are not specific to St. Charles.
Who is responsible for what
Who is responsible for the sewer line at a St. Charles property?
In the City of St. Charles, the public sewer system is run by the City’s Public Works Sewer Division, not by MSD. The City Code describes the sewer lateral as the part of a residential property’s sanitary sewer piping that runs from the foundation to a sewer main. The City’s lateral program is built around owner-arranged repair: the owner gets the bids and chooses the contractor, and the City reimburses part of the cost for a qualifying lateral.
Public - City
The public sewer
The City’s Sewer Division says it oversees the operation, maintenance and enhancement of the municipal sewer system. The City says it has two sanitary sewer treatment plants and 30 lift stations. Whether a specific address is inside City limits should be confirmed by address.
Property - Owner
The lateral line
The pipe from your building to the sewer main is the lateral. The City’s program covers part of the cost of repairing a defective residential lateral for homes inside City limits. It does not change who arranges the work: under the program the owner obtains three bids and selects the contractor.
Scroll horizontally to see the full table.
| Question | Public sewer | Lateral line |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs or arranges it | The City of St. Charles Public Works Sewer Division. | The property owner arranges inspection, cleaning and repair. The City describes the lateral as the line from the building to the sewer main. |
| Who maintains and repairs it | The City, through its Sewer Division. | The owner. The City’s program can reimburse 90 percent of authorized repair cost, up to $7,500, for a qualifying lateral. |
| Who to contact first | City Public Works. See “Who to call” below. | A plumber or drainlayer to cable the line first, then City Public Works about the program. |
| What help exists | The Sewer Division can be contacted about sanitary sewer backups and other resident issues. | The City’s lateral program, subject to its eligibility rules, application and review. |
| Where an inspection helps | Not applicable | A camera inspection documents the line’s condition and where along the line a problem sits. |
This is general information from City of St. Charles sources, not legal advice. We did not find a published rule on who owns the part of a lateral under the street, or on what happens when City work damages a private lateral, so we only repeat the City’s lateral definition and program boundary. Contact the City to confirm how it applies to your address.
Sewers in St. Charles
How sewers work in St. Charles
St. Charles runs its own sewer system. The City says it has two sanitary sewer treatment plants and 30 lift stations, operated and maintained under contract. MSD describes its own service area as St. Louis City and about 90 percent of St. Louis County, and St. Charles is in St. Charles County, so it sits outside the area MSD defines as its service area. MSD’s page does not name St. Charles, so treat this as background and confirm for a specific address.
The pages we reviewed do not say whether the City’s system is combined or separate, or how old it is.
One feature is specific to St. Charles: the Sewer Division maintains a sewer vacuum system in Newtown, which uses vacuum pumps, valves and pipelines to move wastewater instead of relying only on gravity. That is a feature of that neighborhood, not of every St. Charles property.
The City’s May 2026 departmental report also describes a sanitary manhole in the middle of a creek on Hackmann Road that it says contributes to surcharging and backups, and says the manhole and piping are planned to be relocated away from the creek. We did not find a current status for that work.
A public sewer project does not tell you the condition of any individual property’s lateral. Only an inspection of your line can show that.
Housing age and your lateral
St. Charles homes: mostly built since the 1980s, and what a camera can find
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates put the median year a St. Charles city home was built at 1986 (margin of error 2 years), across about 32,300 housing units. About 62 percent of those units were built in 1980 or later, and about 7 percent in 1939 or earlier. These figures describe the City of St. Charles as a whole, not every address the City sewer serves, and not St. Charles County.
Scroll horizontally to see the full table.
| Period built | Housing units | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 1,016 | 219 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,896 | 496 |
| 2000-2009 | 4,051 | 370 |
| 1990-1999 | 5,112 | 503 |
| 1980-1989 | 5,831 | 497 |
| 1970-1979 | 3,788 | 394 |
| 1960-1969 | 3,216 | 414 |
| 1950-1959 | 2,575 | 384 |
| 1940-1949 | 628 | 170 |
| 1939 or earlier | 2,192 | 337 |
Housing age does not tell you what pipe is in your lateral. The City does not publish a pipe material or installation era for St. Charles, so the only way to know the condition of your line is to look at it.
A drain that still works is not proof of a sound pipe, and a blockage is not proof of a broken one. The City’s program starts from that difference: it asks, before an application, for written certification from a properly licensed master plumber or master drainlayer that the lateral has been cabled and that cabling did not resolve the problem, and it sends its own camera to determine the repair scope. A camera shows which situation your line is in.
Scroll horizontally to see the full table.
| What a camera can find | What it looks like | Why it matters in St. Charles |
|---|---|---|
| A blockage with an intact pipe | Grease or debris with no visible defect | The City directs residents to cable the line first. If the line clears and the pipe is intact, cleaning, not repair, may be what it needs. |
| Cracks or separated joints | A split, gap or offset in the pipe wall or at a joint | The City’s camera investigation sets the repair scope. The program reimburses 90 percent of authorized cost up to $7,500, so a share stays with the owner. |
| Where a defect sits | A condition at a recorded distance along the line | Recorded footage with a distance count lets you compare a repair estimate with what the camera showed. |
| A line that is structurally sound | No defect visible | The City’s program information sheet says the homeowner pays the inspection cost if the line is found structurally sound. Knowing the line’s condition first can matter. |
| Roots | Fine roots entering at a gap or joint | Footage shows whether roots are entering at a joint or the pipe is otherwise intact. |
Housing-age figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 5-year, tables B25034 and B25035, St. Charles city, Missouri. Percentages are our arithmetic from the table. Program statements: City of St. Charles Code and program pages. The table is general context, not a finding about any one home.
Know who to call
Public problem or private line? Start with the right contact.
The City tells residents with a sewer backup to contact a plumber or drainlayer to cable the lateral, then to contact Public Works for lateral program instructions. The City’s wastewater page says the Sewer Division can be contacted about sanitary sewer backups and other resident issues.
If a plumber or the City points to your lateral, or you want proof of its condition, that is where an independent camera inspection helps.
We did not find a direct Sewer Division backup number or an after-hours sewer line published by the City.
City of St. Charles Public Works - sewer lateral program
(636) 949-3363The City lists this number for questions about its lateral program. Applications can be completed online, mailed, or delivered to the Public Works Facility at 2871 Elm Point Industrial Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301. This is the City’s number and address, not ours. Confirm the number with the City before you call.
City of St. Charles Community Development
(636) 949-3222The City directs permit and inspection questions here, including the charge permit and inspection for smaller lateral repairs outside the program. This is the City’s number, not ours.
The Sewer Pros
Inspection, locating and cleaning for your lateral. (314) 821-1600, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
City lateral program
Using an inspection with the City of St. Charles Sewer Lateral Repair Program
The City of St. Charles runs a Sewer Lateral Repair Program, in place since January 1, 2003. It reimburses 90 percent of the authorized cost of repairing a defective residential sewer lateral, up to $7,500 per participant. The City Code sets the annual fee at $28 on residential property served by City sewer. Some City web pages still show an older $20 figure, so confirm the current fee with Public Works. Eligible homes inside City limits are enrolled automatically and cannot opt out.
What the City program covers
- Patching or replacement of a defective residential sewer lateral, including the associated digging, dirt replacement and seeding
- Sidewalks, driveways and street pavement that must be removed and replaced for safe occupancy
What it does not cover
- Replacement of landscaping or ornamental structures
- Homes outside St. Charles City limits, even if they pay a sewer bill to the City
- Buildings of seven or more units, commercial and industrial property, and properties on septic systems, according to the City’s program information sheet
- According to the same undated sheet: the initial cabling, the cost of the City’s camera inspection if the line is found structurally sound, and repeat claims within 12 months. Confirm these with Public Works.
Who can apply
The program covers residential buildings of up to six units, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and condominium units with individual lateral connections. The City Code asks the applicant for proof of ownership or owner consent, proof that property taxes and City bills are paid, and a signed hold-harmless statement.
How the process works, in the City’s words
Step 1
Cable the line first.
The City tells residents to have a plumber or drainlayer cable the lateral and then contact Public Works. The Code asks for written certification from a properly licensed master plumber or master drainlayer that the lateral has been cabled and that cabling did not resolve the problem, dated within six months of the application, plus a written problem statement.
Step 2
Apply.
Applications can be completed online, mailed, or delivered to Public Works.
Step 3
The City’s camera investigation.
The City’s program administrator schedules a camera investigation to determine the repair scope and prepares a bid package.
Step 4
Get three bids.
The applicant obtains at least three bids from City-approved plumbers or drainlayers and chooses the contractor. The City reimburses the lowest responsible bid. The Public Works Director weighs the bidder’s experience and compliance as well as price.
Step 5
Repair, then reimbursement.
The work happens after permit approval, and the City reimburses 90 percent of the authorized cost, up to $7,500.
The Code says the program depends on fee revenue and asks the applicant to show the annual fee is paid or committed. We did not find a published fund balance, waiting list or processing time, so do not assume funds or a timeline. Confirm current terms, the fee and funding with Public Works at (636) 949-3363 before you apply.
See our sewer lateral inspection & reporting service for the St. Louis area.
Independent sewer inspection & second opinions
Before You Approve an Expensive Sewer Repair, Get an Opinion With Nothing to Sell
A sewer backup or major repair recommendation can make a costly decision feel urgent. The Sewer Pros inspects and documents the condition inside your sewer line so you can understand what is actually happening before you approve cleaning, excavation, lining, or replacement.
Because we do not perform sewer repairs or replacements, we do not profit from selling you the work. Our role is to give you clear video evidence, straightforward findings, and an honest opinion you can use to make the next decision.
Already received a repair recommendation? Bring us in for an independent second opinion before you sign off on major work.
Step 1
Inspect
We use a sewer camera to examine the line for blockages, roots, damage, offsets, standing water, and other visible conditions.
Step 2
Document
Receive video evidence and clear findings that show what was observed inside the line, so you are not forced to rely only on a verbal repair recommendation.
Step 3
Decide
Use the findings to determine whether the issue calls for cleaning, monitoring, a repair estimate, or another qualified opinion, without pressure to buy a repair from us.
Buying in St. Charles
Sewer inspection before buying a St. Charles home
A sewer camera inspection shows the visible condition of the lateral before you close. Ask your home inspector what their inspection covers. A sewer scope is a separate, focused inspection of the sewer line.
We did not find a City of St. Charles rule that requires a sewer lateral inspection when a home is sold, and we did not find a sewer-lateral disclosure rule in the City materials we reviewed. That reads as none found, not as a confirmed absence, so a buyer who wants evidence of the lateral has to ask for it. The City does require an occupancy inspection for long-term rentals before the first tenant moves in and between tenants; the page we reviewed does not describe it as a sewer inspection. Two details matter to a buyer. The City’s lateral program applies only inside City limits, so confirm the address is inside the City, not just billed by it. And the program asks for proof of ownership or owner consent and proof that property taxes and City bills are paid, so ask your agent and Public Works how that fits your timeline. Findings are informational and not legal advice.
For agents and inspectors
Working with real estate professionals
We are affiliated with the St. Louis Association of Realtors, ASHI, the Women’s Council of Realtors and St. Charles Realtors. We provide video when a camera is used, and written findings. Findings are informational and not legal advice.
Nearby service areas
Serving the wider St. Louis area
The City of St. Charles is in St. Charles County, and it is a separate jurisdiction from unincorporated St. Charles County and from the MSD-served cities in St. Louis County. Lateral programs and sewer details differ by municipality, so terms and costs change from place to place.
Common questions
St. Charles sewer questions, answered
Who runs the sewer system in St. Charles, and is it MSD?
The City of St. Charles runs its own sanitary sewer system through the Sewer Division of Public Works. The City says it has two sanitary sewer treatment plants and 30 lift stations, operated and maintained under contract. MSD describes its service area as St. Louis City and about 90 percent of St. Louis County, and St. Charles is in St. Charles County, so it sits outside the area MSD defines as its service area. MSD’s page does not name St. Charles, so confirm for a specific address. Sources: City of St. Charles Sewer Division and Wastewater Treatment pages; MSD service area page.
Does St. Charles have a sewer lateral repair program, and what does it cost?
Yes. The City’s Sewer Lateral Repair Program began January 1, 2003. The City Code sets an annual fee of $28 on residential property served by City sewer, collected on the real estate tax bill. Some City web pages still show $20, so confirm the current amount with Public Works. Eligible homes inside City limits are enrolled automatically. Sources: City Code section 150.030 and Chapter 705; City Residential Programs page.
Which St. Charles homes qualify?
The program covers residential buildings of up to six units inside City limits, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and condominium units with individual lateral connections. A home outside City limits is not eligible even if it pays a sewer bill to the City. The City’s information sheet also excludes buildings of seven or more units, commercial and industrial property, and septic systems. An applicant must show ownership or owner consent and that property taxes and City bills are paid. Sources: City sewer lateral FAQ; City Code section 705.300; City program information sheet.
How much does the St. Charles program reimburse?
The City Code says it reimburses 90 percent of authorized costs, up to $7,500 per participant. The City describes this as 90 percent of the lowest of three bids. Reimbursement depends on an approved application and on available fee revenue, so it is not automatic, and a share of any repair stays with the owner. Sources: City Code sections 705.290, 705.320 and 705.330; City sewer lateral FAQ.
What does the program cover and exclude?
It covers patching or replacement of a defective residential lateral, associated digging, dirt replacement and seeding, plus sidewalks, driveways and pavement that must be replaced for safe occupancy. It excludes replacement of landscaping or ornamental structures. The City’s undated information sheet adds exclusions for the initial cabling, the camera inspection cost if the line is sound, and repeat claims within 12 months; confirm those with Public Works. Sources: City Code section 705.270; City program information sheet.
What do I have to do before I apply?
Have the lateral cabled by a plumber or drainlayer first. The Code asks for written certification from a properly licensed master plumber or master drainlayer that the lateral has been cabled and that cabling did not resolve the problem, within six months of the application, plus a written problem statement. After you apply, the City’s program administrator schedules a camera investigation and you collect at least three bids. Sources: City Code section 705.300 and 705.310; City sewer lateral FAQ.
Does a St. Charles lateral repair need a permit?
The City’s Building Division lists repair or replacement of sewer laterals among work that generally requires a permit. For smaller repairs outside the program the City says a charge permit and inspection may apply, arranged through Community Development at (636) 949-3222 or the City’s online permitting portal, with a $50 fee for each required inspection. We did not find a general contractor licensing rule for lateral repairs beyond the City-approved contractors required for program bids. Sources: City Building Division page; City Online Permitting page.
Is a sewer inspection required before buying a St. Charles home?
None found in the City materials we reviewed. The City does require an occupancy inspection for long-term rentals, but the page does not describe it as a sewer inspection, and we did not find a sewer-lateral disclosure rule. Confirm the address is inside City limits, since the lateral program does not cover homes outside it. Sources: City Inspections page; City sewer lateral FAQ.
What does a sewer camera inspection show?
It can reveal blockages, root intrusion, separated joints, offsets, cracks, standing water and other observable conditions in accessible sewer piping, recorded on video.
Do you repair or replace sewer lines?
No. We inspect, locate, diagnose and clean. That independence is the point: our recommendations are not built around selling a repair.
Evidence before expensive decisions
Schedule a sewer camera inspection in St. Charles.
Schedule a camera inspection when you are dealing with recurring backups, slow drains, unexplained blockages, a City lateral program question, or a St. Charles property you plan to buy. You get video evidence of visible conditions inside the accessible line.
We document what the camera shows and explain the findings in plain language, so you can decide whether the evidence points to cleaning, monitoring, or further evaluation.
- See the visible condition of the line on video
- Receive documented findings you can review
- Choose your next step without a repair sale
Request service
Step 1 of 4
Sources
- City of St. Charles: Sanitary Sewer (Sewer Division) (2023)
- City of St. Charles: Wastewater Treatment (undated)
- City of St. Charles: Public Works (undated)
- City Code Chapter 705, Article V: Sewer Lateral Repair Program (most recent ordinance cited: Ord. 22-167, December 20, 2022)
- City Code section 150.030: Schedule of fees (Ord. 26-021, March 3, 2026)
- City of St. Charles: Sewer Lateral Repair Program FAQ (undated; shows an older $20 fee)
- City of St. Charles: Residential Programs (undated; program began January 1, 2003)
- City of St. Charles: Residential Sanitary Sewer Lateral Program information sheet (undated)
- City of St. Charles: Online Permitting (undated)
- City of St. Charles: Building Division (2021)
- City of St. Charles: Inspections (undated)
- City of St. Charles: May 2026 Departmental Report (May 1, 2026)
- MSD Project Clear: Service area (updated February 2020)
- U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25035, St. Charles city, Missouri
- U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2024 5-year, table B25034, St. Charles city, Missouri
Last reviewed: October 3, 2026. Official guidance can change, so confirm details with the City for your address.