Sewer backups can occur in any home. Although they are uncommon, the damage they cause can be significant and messy. If you experience a sewer backup, immediately contact the Public Works Department during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 507-867-3810. After hours, contact Brian Burkholder at 507-273-9597 or 9-1-1 to have Public Works dispatched.
First call the City when you have a sewer backup or blockage, so we can investigate whose responsibility it is and what steps need to be taken next.
Property owners are responsible for the maintenance, repair and cleaning of the sanitary sewer service line from the house to the city main line.
The city is not automatically responsible when a backup occurs, as there are many reasons for backups which the city cannot control. For example, people dumping inappropriate items, such as grease, wipes or diapers, can create a blockage.
WHAT’S OK TO FLUSH?
Residents play an important role in preventing backups. Please do not flush or pour anything down a drain that could clog the sewer system or damage the wastewater pumping or treatment facility.
OK TO FLUSH
Toilet paper
Body waste
Pet waste
DO NOT FLUSH
Dispose of these products in your household garbage, recycling or other approved waste disposal means:
Fats, oils, grease
Wipes, “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, disinfecting wipes
Diapers, tampons, pads
Paper towels, cleaning wipes, Swiffer cleaning pads
Garbage, sand, metals, wood, straw or grass, wastepaper, plastics, glass and cat litter (including so called “flushable” cat litter)
Flammable or explosive liquids, solids or gasses
Any substance that is toxic to the treatment facilities or workers in the facilities
COMMON REASONS FOR SEWER BACKUPS AND BLOCKAGES
FATS, OILS OR GREASE PUT INTO SINKS
Dispose of fats, oils and grease in the garbage and avoid using the garbage disposal to put foods down the drain.
Vegetables, meat scraps, butter, cooking oils, and many other foods deposit grease and solids that can build up in pipes eventually creating blockages.
The fats, oils and grease harden when they go down the drain and clog pipes.
Let melted oils used for cooking solidify in a container before placing them in the garbage.
ROOTS
Know where your service line is located and avoid planting trees and shrubs near it. Roots can creep into the sewer pipe joints and eventually cause a blockage.
The best way to remove roots is to call a professional sewer cleaning service.
CRACKED OR COLLAPSED PIPE
The service pipe may need to be replaced if the pipe is cracked or collapsed.
Changes in weather affect the ground greatly. Going from season to season, drought to wet or even hot to cold can cause the ground to shift causing cracks and breakages in service lines.
