Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to become educated on sewer maintenance issues because every individual can play a role in helping to solve the problem. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of your house lateral, a pipe that connects your home to the public sewer system. A cracked or deteriorated lateral can allow groundwater to seep into the system or one filled with tree roots will result in sewer system backups. In addition, you may be required to fix any improper connections, such as downspouts, driveway drains, or sump pumps connected directly to the sewer system. The stormwater collected from these devices must be drained to your property or directly connected to a separate stormwater system.

Yes, people who dispose of things such as grease, disposable mop heads, eggshells, coffee grounds, and kitty litter down toilets, garbage disposals, and sewer manholes frequently clog sewer lines. Some helpful suggestions that will assist your local utility company include:

• Not disposing of grease down drains such as cooking oils, fat, etc.
• Seeking out hazardous materials disposal sites for the disposition of motor oils, transmission fluids, antifreeze, paints, turpentine, and caustic household cleaners
• Disposing of rags, mop heads, coffee grounds, eggshells, kitty litter, and the like by properly wrapping or sealing them and placing them in solid waste containers

Sewer capacity constraints are frequently caused by improper materials, including fats, oils, and greases being introduced into the sewer system by city residents and businesses.

Be careful what you put in the sewer. Several items that should not be put into your sewer system are paper towels, diapers, baby wipes, mop heads, grease, and any item that will not dissolve.

Anything that will not totally dissolve could plug the sewer mains. Disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, disposable mop heads, rags, and plastic bags should not be flushed.

Sometimes the chlorine can get into a pocket and a low residual can result in a rotten egg smell. If the residual is high you will smell a strong odor of chlorine. For both issues, run an outside spigot for a few minutes. This should help diminish the smell.

You can have an irrigation meter installed. See the Building Inspections & Permitting Division for more information.