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 (PDF).
Service Extension Request (SER) Program Fees
Service Fee Administratively Approved SER $9.79 per acre (minimum: $195.70; maximum: $489.25) Council Approved SER $37.13 per acre (minimum: $742.63; no maximum) Note: The Council Approved SER application fee applies only to requests where Austin Water staff requests oversizing. This fee is assessed during the SER review process.
On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Program Fees
Service Fee New Permit $715.23* Minor Re-permit $357.10 License Amendment or Permit Amendment $319.09 Emergency Holding Tank Permit — Residential $257.24 Emergency Holding Tank Permit — Commercial $504.70 Minor Development Review (one-time inspection) $95.53 Site Evaluation or Additional One-Time Inspection or Reinspection $95.53 Subdivision Review — First 20 lots $198.64 Subdivision Review — Each additional lot $8.03 Tank Abandonment Inspection $62.98 *Includes state surcharge fee
Alternative Wastewater Collection System Program Fees
Service Fee Alternative Wastewater Collection / Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) System $715.23 Alternative Wastewater Collection / Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) System, Design Change $313.64 On-Site Water Reuse System (OWRS) Program Fees
Service Fee New Operating Permit $701.43 Annual Permit Renewal $307.97 Permit Modification $344.02 Inspection $91.67 Fee in Lieu of Providing an On-Site Water Reuse System (OWRS)
Pipe Diameter Fee 6-inch $129,840.00 8-inch $173,120.00 12-inch $259,680.00 Other allowable pipe diameters (per Utility Criteria Manual) $43.28/ft × 500 ft × pipe diameter (inches) Tap Plan and Water Meter Upgrade Plan Review Fees
Service Fee Initial Tap Plan Review (covers second and third reviews) $124.22 Fourth Tap Plan Review $248.54 Withdrawal of Tap Plans $62.11 Tap Plan Corrections $83.07 Water Meter Upgrade Review (covers all reviews) $80.86 Engineering Plan Review Fees — Site Plans and Subdivisions
Service Fee Initial Plan Review (covers second and third reviews) $241.00 Fourth Plan Review $602.00 Withdrawal of Plans $120.00 - 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
- Private Lateral Grant Program: 512-974-3100
- Sewage on the ground complaints: 512-972-1000
- P-Lat Program, general inquiries: 512-972-0069
- Austin Development Services plumbing permits: 512-978-4000
By Mail:
Austin Water, Utility Development Services Division
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767In person:
Austin Water, Utility Development Services Division
625 E. 10th St., Suite 715
Austin, TX 78701