Austin Water

Photo collage containing images of Austin Water employees, construction workers, and water infrastructure including pipes and treatment facilities.

Private Lateral Program

A private lateral (P-Lat) is the wastewater line connecting a building to the City's wastewater system. Austin Water investigates P-Lats for retail wastewater customers when there is a wastewater overflow or blockage on private property, or when a problem with the City's wastewater system could affect the lateral. The program ensures defective P-Lats are repaired to reduce wastewater overflows and limit the amount of external water — inflow and infiltration — entering the City's wastewater collection system. This reduces overflow incidents and avoids additional costs to ratepayers.

See Austin City Code Chapter 15-11 (PDF) for details on customer responsibilities under the P-Lat Ordinance.

Austin Housing offers a Private Lateral Grant Program that provides free repair or replacement of these lines for eligible single-family home or duplex owners whose household income is at or below 100% of the area median family income (MFI). See the 2024 HUD HOME MFI income and rent limits (PDF) for eligibility thresholds.

Services

Austin Water's Utility Development Services division can assist with determining P-Lat elevations and available slopes. Per the City's Plumbing Code, P-Lats must be installed at no less than 2% slope (¼ inch per foot) toward the point of disposal. As an exception, the City may allow a 1% slope (⅛ inch per foot) for piping four to six inches in diameter when a 2% slope is not available.

For assistance with P-Lat elevations and available slopes, call the P-Lat Hotline at 512-972-0069.

Fees

Utility Development Services fee schedule

Plumbing Permits

Within the City of Austin, plumbing work cannot be performed without first obtaining a plumbing permit from Austin Development Services. For more information on plumbing permit fees and requirements, call 512-978-4000.

Resources
Contact

By Mail: 
Austin Water, Utility Development Services Division 
P.O. Box 1088 
Austin, TX 78767

In person: 
Austin Water, Utility Development Services Division 
625 E. 10th St., Suite 715 
Austin, TX 78701