Residents

As a resident, you can provide the most help by keeping storm water out of the sewer system whenever possible, and disposing of certain materials in your trash as opposed to down your drain or toilet.

Here's a list of ways to help:

Unless you're on a combined sewer, make sure that your downspouts and sump pumps are NOT connected to the sanitary sewer system. In a neighborhood of several hundred homes, it only takes six to eight sump pumps working full time in wet weather to cause a sewage overflow or backup.
Install a rain garden or rain barrel to help capture storm water runoff;
Reduce impervious surfaces (blacktop, concrete, etc.) on your property where possible.
Reduce your water use, especially during rainy weather;
Avoid planting trees, shrubs and bushes on your property near the sewer line. Roots can enter, block, and damage sewers;
Keep your private sewer line (between your home and the public sewer line) free of cracks, separated joints, tree roots, and other blockages that could result in sewage backups in your home;
Properly dispose of household hazardous waste like cleaning products, motor oil and paints. Please do NOT put them down the drain, flush them, or dump them directly into a sewer;
Collect and dispose of trash and pet waste properly. Please do NOT put them down the drain, flush them, or dump them directly into a sewer;
Properly dispose of disposable wipes in your trash. Please do NOT flush them down the toilet.
Avoid washing grease, oil, and fats down sinks and floor drains. Dispose of them in your trash instead. Fats, oils and greases, known as FOG, can build up in drains and sewers over time and eventually creates clogs. Clogged sewers can cause sewer overflows, which release untreated sewage into our neighborhoods, rivers and streams.