Sewer Lateral Improvement Program (SLIP)
City Code 7-7-4
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sewer Lateral Improvement Program (SLIP)?
The City’s Sewer Lateral Improvement Program (SLIP) was established to reduce Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) contributed to the sanitary sewer collection system by private sanitary sewer laterals (laterals). I/I occurs at leaking/failing sanitary sewer pipes (where groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system) and at cross-connections (where stormwater drains into the sanitary sewer system). This program assesses laterals and requires repair for laterals that are sources of I/I.
When is a SLIP inspection required?
The program will initiate and a SLIP inspection will be required when one of the following occurs:
- Prior to sale of a building that was constructed over 5 years ago and does not have an active passing SLIP inspection. Contact SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov) to request a determination if an inspection is needed prior to sale.
- When applying for a building permit valued more than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) for a building which was constructed more than five (5) years ago.
- As directed by the City after an inspection of a sanitary sewer main identifies excessive inflow and infiltration from the lateral or that the lateral needs repair.
What is the SLIP process?
Step 1: Have a video inspection performed on your lateral, from the building to sanitary sewer mainline, and have the video sent to SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov).
Step 2: Complete and send the Participant Information Form to SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov). Please find the Participant Information Form below.
Step 3: The City will assess the lateral for I/I. You will receive a letter with the results of SLIP inspection within 10 business days of the City’s receipt of the lateral video and Participant Information Form. The letter will indicate if the lateral has passed or failed.
What to do if the lateral passes SLIP inspection?
The City will notify you that the lateral has passed the SLIP inspection with a letter. This completes the process; no further action is needed. The passing SLIP determination is valid for five (5) years.
What to do if the lateral fails SLIP inspection?
The City will notify you that the lateral has failed the SLIP inspection with a letter. This letter will include a description of the required SLIP repair and detail next steps. The lateral will need to be repaired within ninety (90) days from the date of the letter.
You may select and hire any excavator or plumber with a Sandpoint Business License to perform this work. The contractor performing this work must obtain the necessary State of Idaho and City of Sandpoint permits. This work must be done in accordance with City Code and the latest version of the Sewer Rules and Regulations.
What to do after the SLIP repair is completed?
Once the SLIP repair is complete, send a copy of the receipt or invoice for the work and pictures of the repair to SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov). Then the City will generate a passing SLIP for this lateral. This completes the process; no further action is needed. The passing SLIP determination is valid for five (5) years.
What if the SLIP repair is not completed within ninety (90) days?
If the SLIP repair is not completed after ninety (90) days, you will be billed fine a of fifty dollars ($50.00) per month until the repair is completed.
An extension of up to ten (10) months to complete the SLIP repair may be applied for by emailing SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov). The extension period will begin at the end of the ninety (90) day period. The fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) per month would continue to accrue during this extension period. If the SLIP repair is completed within the extension period, the penalty is erased; no fines will be billed. If SLIP repair has not been completed within the extension period, the fine will be due in full at the end of the ten (10) month extension.
All penalty fines collected will go into the fund dedicated to I/I reduction for the sanitary sewer system.
Customers refusing to pay the bill or have their lateral repaired shall have their water service terminated.
What is a SLIP extension?
An extension to complete a SLIP repair of up to ten (10) months in addition to the ninety (90) day period, may be applied for by emailing SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov).
What is a SLIP Deferral?
If a building is selling and the lateral failed the SLIP inspection, the buyer and seller may agree to transfer the SLIP repair responsibility to the buyer. For more information or to request a deferral, contact SLIP [at] sandpointidaho.gov (SLIP[at]sandpointidaho[dot]gov).
Who can I hire to perform the lateral video?
You may select and hire any plumber or business with video equipment. A list of contractors who frequently perform this work in town is a provided below.
Who can I hire to perform the SLIP repair?
You may select and hire any excavator or plumber with a Sandpoint Business License to perform this work. The contractor performing this work must obtain the necessary State of Idaho and City of Sandpoint permits. This work must be done in accordance with City Code and the latest version of the Sewer Rules and Regulations.
What about condos?
The Home Owners Association may conduct a system-wide inspection every 10 years. If this is done, the City will forego individual inspections when condominiums are individually sold.
What is I/I?
I/I is groundwater and stormwater that enter the sanitary sewer system.
Why is the City working to reduce I/I?
Flows to the City Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) can increase significantly in the spring with rain on snowstorm events. In fact, the flows during the spring can be nearly 10x higher than normal flows throughout the rest of the year. This excess flow is caused by Inflow and Infiltration (I/I). Reducing I/I flows would reduce the amount of treatment at the WWTP which can greatly reduce treatment costs. The City's WWTP Facility Plan includes a commitment to aggressively reduce I/I into the City's sanitary sewer collection system, in preparation for future WWTP upgrades.