When a sewer overflows, it is usually the result of inappropriate materials in the sewer system. Please Help the City Prevent Sewer Back-ups and Overflows!
Have you ever experienced a sanitary sewer back-up or overflow? Luckily, most sewer back-ups and overflows can be prevented with a progressive preventive maintenance program. All of us can help to prevent them by wisely using the City Of Asheboro sanitary sewer system.
Sewer back-ups and overflows are frequently caused by improper materials such as fats, oils and grease being placed into the sewer system by the City's customers. Since fats, oils and grease are lighter than water, they tend to accumulate at the top and sides of sewer pipes and can build up until a blockage occurs. If a blockage happens, the sewer backs up or overflows resulting in property and environmental damage.
By reducing the amount of fats, oils and grease that enter the sewer system from your home, you can help to protect the environment by preventing sewer back-ups and overflows.
Sanitary sewer systems are designed to handle three things: used water, human body waste, and toilet paper. You can do some simple things that will help the City protect water quality and maintain the sewer system in Asheboro.
DO NOT: Use the toilet as a wastebasket. |
DO NOT: Use the sewer as a means to dispose of food scraps |
DO: Collect grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage |
DO: Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid waste, or start a compost pile. |
DO: Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste. Disposable diapers, condoms and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system. |
DO: These suggestions can save you money too! Most sewer back-ups occur between the house and the City's sewer main, where the property owner is responsible for correcting the problem. Avoiding blockages means avoiding plumbing bills. When the blockage occurs in the City's sewer main, the City will correct the problem. Please call Wastewater Maintenance Division at 626-1234, to report a sewer back up or overflow. After hours and holidays call 911. They will dispatch the on-call investigator. |
Indications of a sewer stoppage include plumbing fixtures that do not drain, sewage backing up into tubs or toilets, or if a sewer clean out pipe exists, sewage may be seeping from the sewer clean out pipe at the edge of the property. A sewer clean out pipe is a vertical pipe 4 inches in diameter that is found within the right-of-way. (Something near your water meter) It allows the City direct access to the sewer service line and enables the City to assist the customer with some sewer stoppages.
When a stoppage occurs, the customer should contact the Water/Sewer Maintenance Department at (336) 626-1234, Mon- 7:30 a.m.-5p.m., or 911 after hours and on holidays. The City will access the stoppage to determine if the blockage is on the City's side of the sewer line or the homeowner's side of the sewer line.
The City of Asheboro will clear blockages that occur in the main sewer line or in the sewer lateral, from the main line to the clean out pipe. Homeowners are responsible for blockages that occur in the sewer lateral, located between the clean out pipe and the structure. If there is no clean out pipe at the edge of the property, the homeowner is responsible for blockages that occur anywhere in the sewer lateral.
Whenever a customer experiences a water leak inside their home or business, they should, call the Water/Sewer Maintenance Department at (336) 626-1234, Mon- 7:30 a.m.-5p.m. Or 911 after hours and on holidays to have the water meter shut off so repairs can be made. The homeowner is responsible for repairs inside the home and outside the home from the home or business to the water meter. Please report any water leaks in the street or between the meter and the street to the Water/Sewer Maintenance Department at (336) 626-1234, Mon- 7:30 a.m.-5p.m., or 911 after hours and on holidays.
If you notice an unusual increase in your water consumption on your water bill, you may consider checking around the hot water tank and underneath the home for water leaks. Toilets can also be checked for leaks by performing a dye test. Contact the Customer Service department at (336) 626-1289, to further discusses your water consumption increase.