Sewer Backups

Who to Contact

If you experience a sewer backup during normal business hours (7:00am to 3:30pm) call 608-825-0731.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 608-837-7336.

Laterals Plugged

It's possible that your lateral that carries wastewater from your home to the sewer main in the street is plugged or that the sewer main itself is plugged. If water only comes up through a floor drain when you are using water in the house, chances are that your lateral is plugged. If water continues to come up through a drain when you are not using any water in the house, the sewer main is probably plugged.

What to Do

In either case, contact the Water Treatment Facility or Police Department to report your problem. Someone should arrive at your home within 30 minutes to determine where the blockage is.

Homeowners Responsibility

If your lateral is plugged, plant personnel will advise you to contact a plumber. Maintenance of the sewer lateral from inside the home to the sewer main is the homeowner's responsibility. The homeowner shall pay all costs associated with cleaning the lateral. If the sewer main is plugged, the city is responsible for the maintenance and will take care of it quickly.

The city has developed an extensive maintenance program for cleaning and repairing the sewer system. This program helps to ensure that sewers maintain their capacity, helps to extend their useful life, and helps to protect the health and safety of the general public.

Preventing Sewer Backups

Heavy rainfall can increase flows in the sanitary sewer collection system. This can cause the system to become overloaded, increasing the risk of sewer backups which can create a real mess in your home, not to mention a health hazard.

How You can Help

We need your help in removing this excessive water. You can help by making sure that your downspouts and rain gutters on your home or business aren't plugged with leaves. If they are plugged, water in the gutters overflows next to your building foundation and will eventually find its way into your basement.

Sump Pumps

If you have a home with a sump pump, make sure that the pump is not connected to your basement floor drain as this can also cause the sanitary sewer system and treatment plant to become overloaded.

City ordinance requires that this water should be pumped to the outside of your home or business. Make sure that you have a long enough pipe to keep the water away from your building foundation. Also, make sure that the water you are pumping from your house does not end up in your neighbor's back yard.