Founder’s Note

Jesse here — founder of Forward Lateral

Back in 2018, while permitting an ADU in Santa Barbara, I found myself with a lot of basic but important questions about my private sewer lateral — and no clear or efficient way to get specific answers.

Questions like:

• Can multiple contractors handle different parts of the repair, such as the lateral and the wye?

• How do I get fair pricing, or easily compare second opinions?

• What repair options are actually allowed under local code?

• Can some materials, like cast iron, be repaired while others, like Orangeburg, must be replaced?

I wasn’t looking for a long meeting or a deep technical explanation. I just needed clear, reliable answers so I could build a sensible repair plan, choose the right contractor, and confirm details with the city — ideally with a short phone call instead of an in-person visit.

What I learned through that experience is that private sewer lateral programs often fail not because of bad intentions, but because the process is fragmented, difficult to understand, and hard for non-experts to navigate. Property owners are confused, contractors lack consistency, and cities are left managing risk without good data or clear visibility.

Forward Lateral was built to address that gap.

Forward Lateral seeks to modernize private sewer lateral programs by combining clear policy, consistent workflows, and modern technology. We help cities standardize inspections and reviews, communicate clearly with the public, generate meaningful new data, and track outcomes over time. Advanced automation and AI-assisted tools support this work by improving consistency, reducing manual effort, and making complex requirements easier to understand — without replacing professional judgment.

The goal is simple: fewer sewer spills, clearer expectations, better coordination, and programs that hold up to public and regulatory scrutiny.

Big things often have small beginnings.

What started as a frustrating personal experience has grown into a platform and program designed to help cities reduce inflow and infiltration, improve sewer system health, and give property owners a fair, transparent path to compliance.

That’s why Forward Lateral is here.