HomeMy Public PortalAboutSewer Blockage PreventionTOWN OF WATERTOWN
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (P) 617-972-6420
124 ORCHARD STREET (F) 617-972-6402
WATERTOWN MA 02472
Gregory M. St. Louis, PE
Superintendent
Department of Public Works Sewer Blockage Prevention
Sewerage backing up through the sewer system in your home or business is a very unpleasant situation.
However, there are steps you can take to prevent it from happening to you.
A number of causes could be responsible for the sewer blockage.
Some of the causes include:
• Kitchen grease, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and even the accumulation of some types of
cleaning materials and detergents can lead to a blockage.
• Tree roots are a big problem, especially with older sewer lines, as they will grow through cracks in
the line to seek water.
Illegal hookups to the sewer will allow excess water into the lines. Rain gutters and sump pumps
should never be hooked into the sewer system. The Town's sewer system is only designed to
accommodate a certain amount of water, and rainwater, during periods of heavy rain. Illegal
hookups overload the system and cause problems.
Hopefully you will never have a problem with a sewer blockage. However, if you do, you can minimize the
damage to your property by taking the following preventative measures:
• Do make sure you have a sewer cleanout and that it is readily accessible.
• Do consider having a plumber install a backflow valve. Inspect and maintain it regularly.
All existing or new building drains from plumbing fixtures liable to backflow from a DPW sewer, or
a private sewer connected to DPW sewer, shall be required to have backwater valves installed at
the owner's expense. Any plumbing fixture located at an elevation below the top of the manhole
on the DPW sewer serving the fixture shall be considered to be liable to backflow. Backflow valves
shall be installed in accordance with 248 CMR Section 10.15 of the Uniform State Plumbing Code.