For Continual Sewer Back-ups, Check the Following:
Check for proper connections of down spouts and sump pumps. When down spouts and sump pumps are connected to the City's sanitary sewer system, their flow is taking up space needed to carry sewage to the treatment plant. These incorrect and illegal connections can cause sewage to back up into your basement, your neighbors’ basements, or overflow into our rivers and streams. Read more about proper Down Spout and Sump Pump Connections.
Review your home for proper storm water handling. If your gutters, driveways, or decks directly discharge into a body of water, redirect the runoff into grassy areas. Read more about Storm Water Management for Homeowners.
Dispose of kitchen oils, greases, and fats properly. Do not pour them down your sewer drain. This will lead to blockages in your lateral and the sewer main, causing unnecessary back-ups and cleaning expenses. Since many of our City’s sanitary sewers are combined with storm water drains, it is important to not dump anything (paints, gas, oil, grease, anti-freeze, grass, leaves, etc.) down your sewer drain or into storm water inlets in the street.
