Durham regional council has repealed a controversial policy which changed the way home sewer lines are maintained and repaired. Council voted Wednesday to undo the changes. Regional staff will once again be responsible for repairing sanitary sewer service connections on private property (up to one metre away from a home’s foundation).

The region is being directed to reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs.

A regional sewer system bylaw was changed in April 2022, making homeowners responsible (at the time) for the portion of each line that runs through their property.