Show All Answers

1. What can I put down the sewer?

The only items that should be sent down a sewer are human waste, toilet paperm water and soap. Nothing else should go down a sewer. Any chemicals put down the drain could interfere with the treatment process. The treatment process is a biological process, meaning there are no chemicals used in the waste water treatment plant.
"Wastewater: Where Does It Go?" YouTube Video

2. What do I do if I have sewer problems?

The City Waste Water Utility department is responsible for the sewer mains all the way to the treatment plant. Customers are responsible for the sewer lateral to the main and the tap itself into the main. A sewer lateral is the line that connects your sewer pipes to the sewer main (usually this is a 4 inch drain pipe).

If your drains are not draining and you can not clean them out yourself, then you can call the Wastewater Supervisor at 620-224-8874 and ask that the City check the sewer main. A crew will be dispatched to flush and inspect the city sewer main. If the main is clear then the obstruction is most likely in the customers lateral and they will need to hire a local plumber to fix the problem.

3. What causes sewer problems?

- If your home has an inoperable sump pump groundwater can flood your basement.
- Fats, oils and grease clog sewers. Meat, salad dressing, butter, cooking oils, and many other food scraps contain fatty byproducts that, when washed down a drain, quickly solidify and deposit on the inside of sewer pipes. Over time, the buildup of these fats, oils and grease can completely block a sewer line. Many of the soaps and detergents claiming to dissolve grease simply pass the problem down the pipes, clogging sewer lines in other areas.
- Tree roots will creep into the sewer pipe, trying to find water, and over time cause a blockage. Older houses may have clay sewer service lines, generally constructed in 4-foot segments, which are more susceptible to root intrusion than the sewer lines constructed today. The natural swelling and shrinking of soils can cause the joints between the segments to pull apart, creating an opening for roots to enter.
- Foreign objects (for example, a child's toy) can cause a backup.
- If the city's main has become clogged a backup could occur.
- Age of pipe material and the shifting of the ground can break pipes.

4. How does a wastewater treatment plant work?

To learn about the process, visit the Wastewater Treatment Plant page.

5. How can you help prevent sewer problems?

- Pour leftover cooking oils into a container for disposal in the trash or recycling.
- Scrape fat trimmings into the trash (not the garbage disposal).
- Wipe grease from pots and plates with a paper towel before washing.
- Know where the sewer line is located, and avoid planting trees or shrubs near it.
- Periodically have the service line mechanically cleaned/root cut or pressure washed (every 3-5 years, or every year for older clay pipes). Schedule this service with your local plumber.
- Choose chemical root treatments that contain a foaming agent designed to expand and fill the sewer line, coming in direct contact with the roots (roots typically enter the top part of the sewer line).

6. What if I smell sewer odors?

All fixtures connected to the sanitary sewer system are required to have a trap that prevents sewer smell and sewer gas from entering your home or building. Sewer gasses develop as the sewage starts to decompose on its way to the wastewater treatment plant. If you smell any sewer odors within your home or office, make sure that none of your traps are dry. Check your basement floor drains and any fixtures that are infrequently used. If the sewer smell persists, call your local plumber.

Sewer gas can be dangerous! Sewer gas and odors typically will enter through a dry trap or a broken service line under the structure. The property owner will be responsible for hiring a plumber to fix any plumbing problems within the facility or sewer service line.