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1. How do I report a manhole cover that is loose?

If you notice a manhole cover that is loose/brokenm please contact Public Works at 208-746-1316 extension 0 or publicworks@cityoflewiston.org.

2. What are the Department of Public Works and the property owner responsibilities for the sewer?

The Department of Public Works is responsible for the public sewer main, which is located in the streets and easements. The property owner is responsible for the house lateral, including the pipe that connects from the public sewer main to the house.

3. What do I do if my sewer is backing up into my house?

If you notice that you have a sewer backup in your drains, please call Public Works at 208-746-1316 extension 0 or email publicworks@cityoflewiston.org. City personnel will troubleshoot. If the City’s main is flowing, the homeowner will then have to contact a plumber to correct the problem.

Please note: If you are a customer of the Central Orchards Sewer District (COSD), you will have to contact them directly at 208-746-9689 with your request as the City does not maintain their wastewater system. 

4. What do I need to do in order to connect to the City’s sewer system?

Public Works can put together a quote for equity buy-in fees which are required when connecting to the City's water and wastewater system. If you would like to obtain an EBI quote, please complete this form or contact our office with the following information:

1. Property address
2. What kind of structure you are building e.g. single family home, duplex, apartment complex (please include the total number of units), commercial building, etc. 

Staff may require additional information from you in order to better tailor the equity buy-in quote to your property. Please provide a name, phone number, and email address so that our staff can effectively communicate with you. Contact us by calling 208-746-1316 extension 0, by emailing us at publicworks@cityoflewiston.org, or in person at 215 D Street, Suite B in downtown Lewiston.

5. What is an equity buy-in fee?

Equity buy-in (EBI) fees are one-time charges for new customers desiring to connect to the City’s water and/or sewer systems. These charges are assessed to recover costs over and above the direct costs associated with connecting a new service to the system.

The EBI charge reflects the expected demand that a new customer will place upon that system and the current depreciated value for the replacement of the system. The charges are reviewed and updated per the annual audit of the system and represent the reasonable prorated share of the value of the system that has been constructed and maintained for the new customer’s use.

All EBI fees collected are deposited in a specific revenue account and are to be used only for the replacement of the capacity of the water and sewer system and not for any other use.

If you would like to obtain an EBI quote, please complete this form or contact Public Works by calling 208-746-1316 extension 0 or by emailing publicworks@cityoflewiston.org.