Sewer rehabilitation Lucerne –Renewing pipes from the inside, without digging, without lost time, and without cost surprises

The Civil Engineering Department of the City of Lucerne, Drainage Division, requires rehabilitation if your property drainage no longer meets water protection regulations – in other words, if pipes are leaking, wastewater is escaping into the soil, or extraneous water is entering. In practice, this often becomes relevant in connection with construction projects: Even for renovations or extensions where no measures are planned for the sewage system, the city requires proof of the condition of the underground pipelines. If the inspection is negative, a rehabilitation order follows. The total revision of the Urban Drainage Ordinance in 2023 has further tightened the requirements for private drainage systems.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, yes. More than 90 % of the damage patterns we encounter in Lucerne properties can be repaired without excavation – via existing access shafts, cleaning openings, or inspection hatches. The city of Lucerne itself also relies on relining for the renovation of its public sewer network whenever the existing capacity allows. Only in the case of completely collapsed pipes or massive cross-section deformations is an localized intervention unavoidable – but we will communicate this openly to you before awarding the contract and never present it as a surprise.

The actual construction time for most projects in Lucerne is between one and three working days. Larger properties, such as developments in Littau or apartment buildings in Maihof, can take one to three weeks depending on the scope, but in stages so that operations can continue. You should also factor in the lead time: from inquiry and quote to approval by the Department of Settlement Drainage, expect about three to five weeks. In emergencies – backups, pipe bursts, water leaks – our 24/7 on-call service kicks in and we are on-site within an hour.

The expected service life is 50 to 70 years – comparable to a completely newly laid pipe. This aligns with the practical experience of the City of Lucerne itself, which calculates a service life of 70 to 80 years for its public sewage infrastructure. The warranty complies with SIA Standard 190. The materials we use have been tested for long-term use and come with manufacturer product guarantees. Furthermore, the smooth inner surface of the liner offers the advantage that deposits form significantly more slowly than in old socket pipes – this measurably reduces future maintenance costs.

Yes. The Civil Engineering Department of Lucerne requires a current sewer television inspection as a basis for every renovation. According to the city's regulations, the evaluation may only be carried out by qualified companies. If a TV report from an official condition survey already exists, it can serve as a basis. If you do not yet have any recordings, we will carry out the inspection with our own camera technology and prepare a complete inspection report. The results will be submitted to the Department of Urban Drainage along with the «LES Permit Application» and the renovation concept. If necessary, we will prepare these documents for you.

Generally yes. With renovations on the external pipe – from the house to the public sewer connection – you as a resident will hardly notice anything. With Sprayliner work on downpipes inside the building, individual sanitary facilities per section may be unusable for a few hours, typically half a day to a full day. In apartment buildings in Lucerne, we plan the work so that at least one wet room per living unit remains usable. We provide the affected tenants with a clear schedule in a timely manner, together with the administration. Moving out has never been necessary in our Lucerne projects.

The clear answer: The owner bears the costs for the maintenance and renovation of private property drainage. This is required by the federal Water Protection Act and the Lucerne Settlement Drainage Ordinance. In the event of sudden damage, such as a burst pipe with water leakage, subsequent damage can be covered by building insurance or building water insurance, depending on the policy. However, wear and tear due solely to age is not an insurable event. The good news: In the canton of Lucerne, sewer renovation costs are generally tax-deductible as property maintenance that preserves value. In any case, we provide complete documentation – for insurance, the tax authorities, and the civil engineering department alike.