We, the undersigned residents and property owners of El Cajon, request that the City of El Cajon reform its current sewer lateral liability policies.

Under current city policy.

§ 13.28.037Maintenance of private systems.

It shall be the responsibility of each property owner whose property is connected to the city sewer system to maintain continuously and satisfactorily in operation at his own expense, any house connection sewer, building sewer, private sewage disposal system, or industrial liquid waste pretreatment facility. Failure to maintain such a private sewer system shall be sufficient grounds for immediate revocation of private sewer operating permit or industrial liquid waste permit of the person so failing and disconnection of his premises from the public sewer. Such a private sewer system is subject to required repairs as set out in a notice to repair issued pursuant to Section 13.20.010(DD). Users of private sewer disposal systems shall keep all cleanout caps and other access ports in place and properly sealed.
(Ord. 4930 § 8, 2009)

Many residents face repair costs ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars for failures occurring:
- Beneath public roadways
- Near city sewer main connections
- Adjacent to aging city infrastructure
- In areas impacted by root intrusion and deteriorating public systems

We request that the City of El Cajon:
- Review and reform current liability policies
- Create an independent investigation process for disputed failures
- Establish shared-cost or reimbursement programs when city infrastructure contributes to damage
- Increase transparency regarding sewer system maintenance and failures
- Explore financial assistance programs for affected homeowners

We support fair, transparent, and accountable infrastructure policies for El Cajon residents.

Our story:

Since April 29, 2026, our family has been living through an ongoing nightmare caused by the catastrophic failure of the sewer lateral at our home in El Cajon. What began as a plumbing issue quickly escalated into a devastating situation that has turned our first home into a source of constant stress, fear, and uncertainty.

My fiancé and I had only just achieved the dream of homeownership after purchasing our home with a move-in date of December 23, 2025. This was supposed to be the beginning of a new chapter for our family — a safe, stable place where we could build memories and give our 10-year-old daughter the security every child deserves. Instead, only a few months later, we found ourselves facing sewage backups, emergency construction, overwhelming repair costs, permit fees, and the emotional exhaustion of trying to navigate a situation far bigger than we ever imagined.

The financial burden has been crushing, but the emotional toll has been even harder. Our daughter has witnessed the anxiety, sleepless nights, and uncertainty that have taken over our household. Rather than settling into our new home, we have spent months living in survival mode, worrying about repairs, liability, mounting costs, and whether we will ever regain a sense of normalcy.

We are not seeking sympathy or conflict — only fairness, accountability, and understanding. No family should have to endure this kind of hardship so soon after finally reaching the milestone of owning their first home. We simply want the opportunity to restore our home, protect our family’s future, and reclaim the peace and stability that every family deserves.

If you are able to assist in the efforts please Email: fixelcajonsewers@gmail.com

Call and Email your local elected officials. 

Bill Wells Mayor

Mayor and Chair, Housing Authority

(619) 441-1788 / bwells@elcajon.gov

Elected: 11/2022
Term Expires: 12/2026

Gary Kendrick District 1

Councilmember and Member, Housing Authority 

(619) 441-1788 / gkendrick@elcajon.gov

Elected: 11/2022
Term Expires: 12/2026

Michelle Metschel District 2

Deputy Mayor and Member, Housing Authority 

(619) 441-1788 / mmetschel@elcajon.gov

Elected: 11/2024
Term Expires: 12/2028

Steve Goble District 3

 Councilmember and Member, Housing Authority

 (619) 441-1788 / sgoble@elcajon.gov

 Elected: 11/2024
 Term Expires: 12/2028

Phil Ortiz District 4

 Councilmember and Member, Housing Authority

 (619) 441-1788 / portiz@elcajon.gov

 Elected: 11/2024
 Term Expires: 12/2028