SERVICES | SEWER | SANITARY SEWER CLEANING

The Sanitary Sewer System
The two main elements of this system are the lateral lines and the main lines. The main lines interconnect, and all drain to the sewage treatment plant. Everything you pour down your sink drains or flush down the toilet goes through these lines to the treatment plant.

Line Blockages
The most common problem people experience is the blockage in their lateral line which causes all drains and toilets in their house or building to back up, and in some cases, overflow. Lateral line blockage can be caused by such things as grease and egg shells put into garbage disposals, tree root intrusion, and broken pipes.

If you have an approved "wye" type cleanout located between the curb and five feet back of the sidewalk, the City will clear blockages and repair the lateral as needed, from the cleanout to the main line, at no cost to the property owner. If the lateral blockage is between the "wye" cleanout and the building, it is the property owner's responsibility to repair it. If there is no "wye" cleanout, the property owner is responsible for maintaining the lateral from the building to the main line.

A main line blockage can also cause your drain to back up, and in the worst case, there will be a sewage spill. If the sewer back up is caused by a problem in the main line, the City will correct the problem and clean up any spillage at no charge to the affected property owner (no cleanout is required).

Odor Problem
We have a program to reduce sewer odors. The program includes injecting chemicals into the sewer mains to prevent odors, air, and the need for sealed manholes. If you smell sewer odors, report it immediately; it may be caused by a blockage or a spill which needs immediate attention.