Sewer Line Replacement in Smithfield, NC

Who is responsible for which part of the sewer?

Johnston County's 2024 wastewater report says Smithfield operates its own collection system, with county interceptors running through town to the Central Johnston County Regional Wastewater Facility south of Smithfield. That plant is permitted to discharge 9.5 MGD to the Neuse River. In practice, the town's mains and the county's interceptors and plant are public. The lateral from your foundation to the town's main is yours to maintain and replace. If you suspect a problem at the main, call the town before hiring anyone.

Is my lateral likely to be original?

In Smithfield, the odds are good. The median home was built in 1973 and about 65% predate 1980, per ACS 2019-2023 estimates. The Downtown Smithfield Historic District and the older streets off Market Street and Brightleaf Boulevard are full of homes from those decades, and their laterals are usually clay or cast iron.

Clay lines tend to fail joint by joint as roots push in and the pipe shifts. Cast iron rusts from the inside and can lose its bottom entirely. Either way, by the time a camera shows damage in several places, a new line usually costs less over the life of the house than repeated cleaning and spot repairs. Ground near the Neuse and Buffalo Creek can also be wet for long stretches, which pushes groundwater into cracked pipe.

How do permits work for a replacement in Smithfield?

The town's planning FAQ says Johnston County Building Inspections has been contracted to handle building permit inspections for Smithfield, with a town zoning permit coming first. The details for plumbing permits aren't spelled out, so the plumber will confirm the steps. Either way, the new line is inspected before it's covered.

A note before you dig

Older Smithfield lots often have porches, walks and big trees right over the line. Ask whether trenchless replacement can save them; it works when the old pipe is roughly on grade, with access pits at each end. If the line has to be trenched anyway, it's also the right time to add a cleanout near the house so future cleaning doesn't mean pulling a toilet.

When you call the number on this page, you'll be connected with an independent local plumber who serves Smithfield. A camera inspection usually comes first.