Frequently Asked Questions

The first thing you should do when the sewer is backing up in your facility is call the sewer department at 507-457-8207. If there is no response at that number call the Law Enforcement Center at 507-454-6100 and they will call out a crew to the address.

Sewer gas can enter a building when the water in a trap in the building evaporates. All fixtures that are connected to the sewer system must have traps on them. The water that is normally retained in the trap forms a barrier to the migration of gases.

Never sewer anything that is highly flammable or explosive. Never allow mercury, or other toxic materials, to enter the sewer. Most potentially dangerous chemicals have labels, Material Safety Data Sheets, or accompanying literature that states whether or not the material is sewerable. Follow those instructions when they are given.

If the literature advises you to call the local sewer authority for permission to sewer a given material, please call us at 507-457-8207.

If there is any question in your mind as to whether or not you should sewer something, do not sewer the material without talking to us first. Thinking carefully before sewering materials will help to protect public safety, prevent upsets at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and protect the water quality of the Mississippi River. Think about the potential danger of sewering a substance that will produce a dangerous gas in light of the fact that the atmosphere in the City sewer lines can migrate into facilities under certain conditions.