Sewer line repair in Kirkwood

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

Kirkwood's program has a clear payment rule: the city pays 75% of an approved repair invoice directly to the contractor. The catch is the paperwork, and the city's list of authorized contractors.

Why laterals fail here

Kirkwood's older neighborhoods date to the late 1800s, when residents moved out of the smoky city. Homes from that era and the decades after may still be connected by their original clay pipe, which cracks at joints and lets roots in. Newer parts of town are less likely to have the same problem.

How Kirkwood's program works

It applies to residential property with six or fewer dwelling units.
The homeowner submits a signed approval letter, the contractor's invoice, a lien waiver, and the bid documents to the city.
The city pays the contractor directly 75% of the invoice, and you pay the rest.
Covered work includes excavation, pipe repair, backfilling, and repair of sidewalks, driveways, and streets disturbed by the repair.
The city's brochure says total repair costs usually run $1,000 to $8,000.

Check the contractor list first. The brochure includes a list of authorized contractors. Ask the city whether your repair has to go through one of them before you sign anything, so you do not lose the city's share.

What the city does not take on

The brochure says the homeowner is responsible for the lateral even under the public street, that MSD does not pay for private lateral repairs, and that the city has no responsibility for a contractor's work or for damage caused by sewer line defects.

Before you hire

Get a camera inspection and keep the video
Call the city and confirm the current program terms and contractor list
Collect the bids the program requires
Confirm each contractor's St. Louis County license

Common questions

Does Kirkwood help pay for sewer lateral repairs?

Yes. The city's sewer lateral repair insurance program covers residential property with six or fewer dwelling units. According to the city's brochure, the city pays the contractor directly 75% of the invoice.

Do I have to use a contractor from Kirkwood's list?

The city's brochure includes a list of authorized contractors and describes a bid process. Ask the city how it applies to your repair before you sign a contract.

Does MSD pay for a lateral repair in Kirkwood?

No. The city's brochure says MSD does not pay for private sewer lateral repairs, and that the homeowner is responsible even for the part under the public street.

Sources

Program details come from the city documents above and can change. Confirm current terms with your city before you hire anyone.