Sewer Line Facts

Wastewater flows through small lines on your property called a sewer lateral to the larger sewer main in the street. From there the sewage travels to the wastewater treatment plant by gravity and pressure provided by the pumping stations. Thousands of gallons daily are treated at the treatment plant and safely returned to the environment.

It is important for homeowners to know the location of the “cleanout” in case a backup occurs.

Located on the homeowner’s property near the property line, the cleanout is used by Town crews to determine whether a stoppage occurred on the homeowner’s side or the Town’s side of the sewer lateral. The cleanout is the property owner’s responsibility.

A blockage in the sewer main causes a back-up through the drains at the lowest point in your home or business. The overflow will continue until the blockage is removed or until sewage is no longer entering the line.

The Town Public Works crew will determine if the blockage is in the customer’s line or in the sewer main. If the blockage is in the Town line, the crew will be able to break the blockage and end the back-up. If the blockage is on the homeowner’s property, then the homeowner will need to call a plumber.