Rehabilitation methods for sewer pipelines include trentchless replacement, grounting, and several different lining techniques. The rehabilitation techniques are not all inclusive.

The focus in pipeline rehabilitation today is on in place techniques such as lining and trenchless replacement. These methods minimize the impact on traffic, other utilities, and surface improvements. One of the main shortcomings of the in place techniques is making a leek-free connection between the main and lateral without excavating. Because of these connections are often responsible for significant leakage the effectiveness of the seal at this joint may be essential to reduction.

Many of the techniques originally developed for sewer mains have been modified for lateral rehabilitation. However since laterals are typically short, may have many bends or  offsets and often lack useable points of access, their rehabilitation by in place techniques is generally less cost effective than for mains. Access for laterals, both for testing and rehabilitation, is also an institutional problem, primarily because the installation and maintenance of laterals are usually the legal responsibilities of the property owner.