Yes, effective March 2012 the city council decided that the City of Longview is no longer responsible for a customer’s main line. If a customer has a backup it is up to the customer to hire a private company to determine the problem. If it is determined that the clog is a result of a “soft plug” such as grease rags, towels, or other items that shouldn't have been flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain, the homeowner must pay to clear the line. If the defect is caused by a break or tree roots in the right of way, then the city will come and repair the line and the customer can be reimbursed for any costs associated with fixing the line.
View the Sewer Diagram (PDF) to better visualize this distinction.