Sanitary Sewer

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Reporting a Sanitary Sewer Problem

In the unfortunate event of a sanitary sewer backup into your home or on your property, please contact Public Works:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m.: (816) 316-4856.
After hours, weekends and holidays: (816) 316-4980 (police non-emergency line).

Sanitary Sewer Inspection Procedures

A Public Works crew will be sent following the report.
If a problem is found in the public sewer:
- it will be cleaned and any blockage removed.
- The crew will leave this letter informing the property owner an inspection has been completed and the result.
- Residents may report any damages to the City’s insurance company. Our insurance company will decide if damage costs are or are not eligible for reimbursement. To report a claim to the City’s insurance company contact McKenzie Stefka at (816) 316-4872. Once reported, the insurance company will assign an adjuster who is responsible for determining whether costs can be reimbursed.
  - It is the resident’s responsibility to document any damages in writing, by taking photos and saving receipts.
  - Although the City performs routine and periodic maintenance, blockages can still occur. Most sewer blockages are the result of people putting grease, trash or other inappropriate materials down the sewer lines or manholes. The City’s insurance company cannot be held responsible for the damages which result from such inappropriate materials.

If no blockage is found in the public sewer, then the blockage is within the private service line and the property owner is responsible for:
- cleaning and removing any blockages.
- repairing any other damage in the private sewer line.
- any other damage to belongings of the building.
- reporting damages to homeowners’ insurance company.
City crews are not allowed to spend public resources, such as equipment and labor, to pump out basements or help residents clean up private property. Even if the backup resulted from problems in the public sewer, residents are responsible for clean up and repairs.
Insurance companies decide if individuals are eligible for reimbursement of incurred costs.

When a lot of rain falls too hard and too fast, the excess water can get into our sanitary sewers and become too much for the system. This is called a surcharged sewer and it can cause sewage to back-up into homes and businesses. One way to prevent this from happening to you is by installing a backflow, and we'll even split the cost with you!

Our 50/50 Backflow Program pays for half of any homeowners' backflow installation up to $1000. As part of the program, the City asks that you get three written backflow installation estimates from plumbers licensed to work in Grandview. The City will review the estimates and authorize you to go ahead with the work. City policy allows reimbursement for half of the lowest quote, up to $1000. You will receive reimbursement once the work is complete, a City Inspector has been completed an inspection, and the work is approved. Download Reimbursement Forms here.

Think Before You Flush

_{The only items that can be safely flushed down a toilet are urine, feces, and toilet paper because these things break down naturally. DO NOT FLUSH ANY OTHER ITEMS DOWN TOILETS AND DRAINS, INCLUDING but not limited to:

wipes
diapers
feminine care products
towels and paper towels
cotton products
tissues
masks
gloves
fluids
fats
oils and grease
food
chemicals
medicines
hazardous waste not only cause possible pipe blockages but damage the environment.}

https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org/

Sanitary Sewer Odors

Sewer Illustration 2 There are always odors present in sanitary sewers. Hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, methane and ammonia are gases that are found in sanitary sewers and all are characterized by a bad or unpleasant odor.

There is no maintenance the City can do to prevent the formation of these gases in sanitary sewers. While City sewers are cleared on a regular basis, materials flushed down drains and toilets cause these odors.

Plumbing is built to prevent the escape of these unpleasant gases into buildings. If odor is detected some simple maintenance may resolve the problem. Sewer traps in plumbing have a loop in the pipe that holds a reservoir of water. It is the water in the drain traps that prevents odors in the sewers from escaping into buildings. (See figure below.)

Sewer Odor Illustration

Normally, this trap (reservoir) is hidden but the reservoir in a toilet is obvious. If sewer gas is escaping into your home or business, the most common problems are:

1. Water in the trap has evaporated from a rarely used drain.

2. A joint or cap, that should be airtight, is no longer sealed. A previous sewer cleaning may have resulted in come caps not being replaced.

3. The wax ring that seals a toilet is no longer airtight and needs to be replaced.

4. A sewer vent pipe that extends through the roof is clogged preventing sewer gases from ventilating to the outside.

Sewer Illustration 3 A dry trap can be corrected by pouring water into the trap (1). However, a qualified plumbing contractor will be required to look into these other problems [(2), (3), (4)]. Some plumbing contractors only clean sewers, which will not correct any of these problems. A plumbing contractor that installs plumbing fixtures will be required to make these repairs.

If the city can provide any other information, please call the Public Works Department (816) 316-4838.

Understanding Smoke Testing of Sewer Lines

Understanding Smoke Testing of Sanitary Sewer Lines

The purpose of “SMOKE TESTING” is to locate obstructions and defects in the sanitary sewer collection system. The smoke that you see coming from the vent stacks on houses or holes in the ground is: NON-TOXIC, HARMLESS, HAS NO ODOR, AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD.

Approximately 48 hours prior to smoke testing, door hangers will be distributed at each residence providing information regarding the procedure, names, and phones numbers of personnel to contact for more information. During the smoke testing activities, personnel of the City’s consultant will be identifying defects that are revealed when smoke escapes through them. Locations for defects may include roof downspouts, uncapped cleanouts, driveway drains, stairwell drains, yard or area drains, window well drains, foundation perimeter drains and defective service pipes. Smoke testing typically occurs in June, July, and August. Saturated soil hinders the migration of the smoke through the soil; therefore smoking testing activities will not be conducted during or immediately following rain events.

The smoke should not enter your house unless you have defective plumbing or dry drain traps. If this occurs, you should consult your licensed plumber. In any event, the smoke can enter through faulty plumbing. The potential, likewise, exists for dangerous sewer gases to enter your home or establishment. Should smoke enter your building, you may contact a member of the smoke testing crew working in your neighborhood. If you have any seldom used drains, such as floor drains in basements, please pour water (approx. 24 oz) in the drain to fill the trap, which will prevent smoke from entering there. Drain traps should always be filled with water to prevent sewer gases or odors from entering the building. Remember, to reduce the potential of smoke entering your building, pour water into drains that are seldom used. Also, adding a small amount of vegetable oil will help slow down the evaporation of water in your drains.

Additionally, many washing machine drain pipes do not have traps. To help prevent smoke from entering your building around the washing machine drain pipe, tie a damp rag around the drain opening.

While we have no reason to expect difficulties, we wanted to make you aware of the coming activities. We anticipate that the smoke testing activities will require only a few hours in your area. The information gained from these activities may be used to improve your neighborhood’s sewer services. Your patience and cooperation are very much appreciated.

Little Blue Valley Sewer District

Grandview, MO

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