PREVENT SEWER SPILLS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN
Create a new wastewater inspection program. Build a path to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I), and prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).
Forward Lateral provides the consulting and software your city needs to address private sewer laterals.
1) Strengthen documentation for municipal liability management.
2) Send property owners clear, educational or enforceable reports.
3) Get started without changing your ordinance or shifting maintenance responsibility. Use CCTV inspection crews already going out into the field. Use our novel data to guide program improvements.
Powered by Forward Lateral software
What Is Forward Lateral?
We help cities build private sewer lateral programs—with hands-on consulting and software designed to run them.
But our work started with people.
Before writing a single line of code back in 2019, we spent countless hours with the people involved in these programs every day: riding along with plumbers, sitting in city offices, talking with public works staff and city council members, meeting with real estate professionals, and listening to property owners.
We wanted to understand where things get stuck, what creates extra work, and what would actually help.
That work shaped everything.
Cities recognize that stormwater and groundwater entering through private sewer laterals can contribute to inflow and infiltration (I&I). The harder question is what to do about it… and where to begin.
We help your city take that first step.
Our Wastewater Inspection Program starts with CCTV inspections your crews already perform. Crews document visible concerns at lateral connections, and property owners receive clear, educational reports by email. It’s a practical starting point that requires no ordinance change or shift in maintenance responsibility.
From there, we help your program grow. Data-rich dashboards give staff the information to track findings, follow repairs, and bring evidence to council. As your city’s policies evolve, our software supports plumber-submitted inspections triggered by property sales, construction and ADUs, street resurfacing, and notices of violation review.
Forward Lateral brings together the consulting, workflow design, and software to help your city move from an initial outreach effort to an established private sewer lateral program.
Public Agency Partners
