System Care

The District has a comprehensive preventive maintenance program to minimize sewer overflows and to keep the wastewater flowing to the wastewater reclamation facility.

Cleaning The Sewer Mains

Sewer main flushing is a process that uses high pressure water jets to clean buildup and debris from the sanitary sewer main. This aids in preventing backups and ensuring proper flow in the lines. Cleaning the sewer lines involves using the sewer jet to propel water through all the main underground pipes in order to clear them of debris such as tree routes, grease and grit. The District has both a preventative and emergency flushing program.

If there is a manhole on your property, please do not obstruct or cover the lid. The crew needs access to the manholes to carry out the cleaning of the underground pipes. When sewer stoppages occur, accessibility to a manhole is essential to minimizing potential damage.

While the flushing process is typically uneventful, residents may notice some temporary effects. Such as gurgling or bubbling noises coming from toilets or floor drains. This is normal and caused by changes in air pressure within the sewer lines during jetting. Keeping your toilet lids closed and your floor drains covered with an old towel will help with any splashing. The flushing process may cause temporary odors to escape. If you notice sewer odors, simply run the water in your sink and flush the toilet to refill the plumbing traps to restore the odor barrier.

The District will notify you prior to scheduled maintenance. This notification will include an automated phone blast that your street is scheduled for flushing maintenance in the upcoming week. In addition to the phone notification. You will receive a door hanger with information directing you to our website. Once the flushing is complete. We will notify you with another phone blast that you no longer need to cover your floor drains. You will not receive another door hanger. If you do not receive a phone call from our automated system, please call our office to update your contact information.

Tree roots enter sewer pipes through cracks, breaks and joints. Root masses inside collection system pipes can become matted with grease, toilet paper and other debris. Uncontrolled tree root growth can eventually fracture sewer pipes and cause extensive damage. Clay tile pipe that was commonly installed until the late 1970s is more easily penetrated and damaged by tree roots. Plastic PVC pipe is more resistant to root intrusion because it typically has fewer joints.

The District can remove roots from the collection system with a root saw. Root saws are usually circular metal attachments with sharp metal teeth connected to the sewer jet hose that rotate to grind and cut root masses.

You can help decrease the infiltration of roots into your private and District public lines by being aware of where you plant trees and other vegetation in your yard. Avoid areas where sewer lines are buried.

In our ongoing effort to prevent blockages and back-ups as well as to protect the efficiency of our system, the District performs TV inspections on portions of its collection system.

Equipment with closed-circuit television and video recording equipment allows us to inspect the inside of the sewer pipes. A camera specifically built to fit inside the pipes sends a signal to the computer.  A trained crew member controls the camera and watches the image on a high-tech computer monitor.

We use closed-circuit TV inspection to:

• Pinpoint the location of a sewer line blockage
• Find areas that need to be cleaned to prevent a blockage or back-up
• Identify pipe that needs to be replaced or repaired
• Inspect new pipe to make sure it is installed properly and according to specification
• Find illegal or improper sewer connections

Proper use is key to proper operations

Unlike a more common gravity type system, the pressurized systems utilize small diameter pipes and pumps located at each property. These systems require that the homeowner take an active role in the care and maintenance of the system. Taking preventive action is the best way to protect the pipes and mechanical equipment by being careful of what goes down the drains in your property.