Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drains

Sanitary Sewer Maintenance

The Sanitation Division is responsible for cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining 380 miles of sanitary sewer lines. The City is divided into 21 sewer districts. It takes approximately 18 months to clean and 48 months to CCTV inspect the entire system.

Storm Drain Maintenance

Storm drain maintenance is the responsibility of the Public Works Sanitation Division.

sewer under house diagram delineating homeowner vs city responsibility

The crews are responsible for maintaining the storm drain system within the city. This includes cleaning so that during periods of heavy rain, the system will transport rainwater to the correct watershed which will prevent flooding.

Types of Sewer Systems

  • Sanitary Sewers - A system of pipes used to transport human waste to the Waste Treatment Plant
  • Storm Sewers - A system of pipes used to transport storm water runoff

City or Property Owner Responsibility

The homeowner is responsible for the section of sewer line from their building to the City's sewer main, most frequently located in the center of the street, but not always.

Sewer Backups

A backup occurs when waste or debris has obstructed a home's plumbing system or lateral, resulting in clogged or slow-moving drains or toilets. A backup occurs on the homeowner's property and the expense and responsibility for cleanup and repair lies with the homeowner.

Sewer Overflows

A sewer overflow occurs when a city main becomes blocked and water or waste materials come up through a sink, bathtub drain or toilet when the home's plumbing system is not being used. An overflow can inflict serious damage, including flooding a room or an entire home.