Side Sewers & Storm Drains in Whatcom County, WA
Side sewer connections, storm drain lines, catch basins and drainage tie-ins, trenched, laid and backfilled to code. Our local crew handles the dig, the pipe and the inspection so your property drains right and connects clean.
Code-compliant connections
Our own equipment
Free on-site visit
Plan Your Sewer & Drain Project
Tell us about your lot and build. We’ll reply within one business day.
- No obligation
- Or call (360) 503-0571
Good Drainage Starts Below the Ground
Every home and building depends on what’s underground: the sewer line that carries waste away and the storm drains that move rainwater off the property. Poorly installed lines show up later as backups, sinkholes, flooded yards, wet crawlspaces and failed inspections. Doing it right the first time costs far less than digging it all up again.
What are site sewers and storm drains?
Side Sewers are the private pipes that connect your building to the city sewer main or septic system. Storm drains are the lines, catch basins and yard drains that collect rainwater and runoff and carry it safely away. The work typically includes trenching, pipe laying, bedding, slope setting, connections, inspection and backfill.
Whatcom Excavation handles the full job with one local crew, so you don’t have to juggle separate excavation, pipe and restoration contractors. You get one plan, one price and one team accountable from the first dig to the final inspection.
Sloped & InspectedLines laid to proper grade and ready for city or county inspection.
What Our Sewer & Drain Work Includes
Every property is different, so we build the scope around your lot, your connection point and your drainage needs. Most projects include some or all of the following.
01
Site Evaluation & Locates
We walk the property, call in utility locates, find the sewer main or septic connection and plan the best route for every line.
02
Permits & Inspection Coordination
We help line up the side sewer and drainage permits and schedule city or county inspections so the job passes the first time.
03
Trenching & Excavation
Trenches are dug to the right depth and width, with shoring or sloped walls where needed for a safe, clean dig.
04
Side Sewer Installation
New or replacement sewer lines from your building to the city main or septic tank, with cleanouts installed for easy future access.
05
Pipe Bedding & Grade Setting
Pipe is laid on proper bedding and set to the correct slope, so waste and water flow freely without sags or backups.
06
Storm Drain Lines
Solid and perforated storm lines that carry roof, driveway and yard runoff away from your foundation to an approved outlet.
07
Catch Basins & Yard Drains
Catch basins, area drains and trench drains installed at low spots to stop standing water and flooded yards.
08
Connections & Tie-Ins
Clean, code-compliant connections to the sewer main, septic system, downspouts, footing drains or the stormwater system.
09
Backfill, Compaction & Restoration
Trenches are backfilled in lifts, compacted to prevent settling, and the surface is restored to grade, ready for landscaping or paving.
Sewers & Drains Built for Whatcom County Conditions
Our long rainy season, high water tables and dense glacial clay make underground work here different. Rainwater that isn’t carried away ends up in your crawlspace, around your foundation or across your neighbor’s yard. Sewer lines laid without the right bedding and slope sag, clog and back up.
We plan every line around the grade, use the right pipe and bedding for wet ground, and schedule the work around the weather, so your sewer and drainage system works for decades, not just until the next storm.
Heavy Rain Ready
Storm lines and catch basins sized to handle Pacific Northwest downpours.
Correct Slope & Bedding
Pipe set to grade on proper bedding so lines never sag or back up.
Wet Soil Know-How
Trenching methods suited to high water tables and heavy clay soils.
Inspection-Ready
Side sewer and drainage work done to code, with permits and inspections coordinated for you.
From First Dig to Final Inspection
A clear, step-by-step process so you always know what’s next.
01
Free Site Visit
We walk the property, find the connection point and discuss your drainage issues and budget.
02
Written Estimate
Detailed scope, line route, price and timeline, plus permit guidance.
03
Locates & Setup
Utility locates called, permits lined up and the trench route marked out.
04
Dig, Lay & Connect
Our crew trenches, beds the pipe to grade and makes clean tie-ins.
05
Inspect & Restore
Line inspected, trench backfilled and compacted, and the surface restored to grade.
What Affects the Cost of Sewer & Drain Work?
No two properties are the same, which is why we price every project after seeing it in person. These are the biggest factors that shape your estimate.
Our estimates are free, written and itemized, so you can see exactly where your budget goes.
Line Length
The distance from your building to the sewer main, septic tank or drain outlet.
Trench Depth
Deeper connections need more digging, shoring and backfill.
Soil & Rock
Rocky ground, heavy clay or high groundwater can slow the trenching.
Site Access
Tight yards, fences or landscaping can limit which equipment fits.
Pipe & Materials
Pipe type and size, cleanouts, catch basins and bedding rock.
Drainage Scope
The number of catch basins, yard drains and downspout tie-ins needed.
Surface Restoration
Repairing driveways, sidewalks, lawns or pavement after the dig.
Permits & Inspections
City or county side sewer, stormwater and right-of-way permits.
Related Services
Site prep often goes hand in hand with these services, all handled by the same crew.
Catch Basin
Catch basin installation and excavation to collect surface runoff, prevent pooling, and protect low-lying site areas.
Grinder Pump Install
Professional excavation and installation for sewage grinder pump systems in homes with low-elevation main sewer hookups.
Side Sewer Installation
Complete side sewer trenching, pipe placement, and connection from your building's plumbing directly to municipal mainlines.
Side Sewer Repairs
Targeted excavation, pipe replacement, and root damage repairs to restore proper, free-flowing side sewer connections.
Storm Drain Installation
Heavy-duty storm drain trenching and piping installations designed to divert rainwater and prevent ground erosion.
Sewer & Drain Work Across Northwest Washington
We’re based in Whatcom County and install side sewers, storm drains and drainage systems for homeowners, builders and developers throughout Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish County.
Whatcom County
Home base
- Bellingham
- Ferndale
- Lynden
- Blaine
- Birch Bay
- Everson
- Nooksack
- Sumas
- Sudden Valley
- Deming
- Maple Falls
- Custer
Skagit County
- Mount Vernon
- Burlington
- Sedro-Woolley
- Anacortes
- La Conner
- Bow
- Concrete
Snohomish County
- Stanwood
- Arlington
- Marysville
- Lake Stevens
- Granite Falls
- Everett
- Snohomish
Sewer & Drain FAQs
Planning a sewer connection or dealing with drainage problems? Call us and talk to the people who’ll actually do the work.
A side sewer is the private pipe that runs from your home or building to the public sewer main in the street. Property owners are usually responsible for it, including installation, repairs and replacement. We install new side sewers and replace old, cracked or root-damaged lines.
Most residential side sewer and storm drain jobs take one to three days, depending on line length, depth, soil and site access. Permits and inspection scheduling can add time, so we give you a clear timeline in your written estimate.
In most cases, yes. Side sewer connections and many stormwater projects need a permit and an inspection from the city or county. We’ll tell you what’s required for your property and help coordinate the permit and inspection process.
Cost depends on line length, trench depth, soil conditions, site access, materials and surface restoration. Every property is different, so we visit the site first and give you a free, written, itemized estimate.
Common signs include standing water in the yard, a wet or flooded crawlspace, water pooling near the foundation, soggy lawn areas, erosion, and overflowing downspouts during heavy rain. A storm drain, catch basin or French drain system can fix most of these problems.
Yes. When city sewer is available near your property, we can dig and install the new side sewer, connect it to the main and coordinate the inspection. Decommissioning the old septic tank usually needs a separate permit, which we can explain during your site visit.
Let’s Get Your Property Draining Right
Free on-site estimate from Whatcom County’s local sewer, drainage and excavation crew.