Sanitary Sewer

What to do when your sanitary sewer backs-up into your basement

1. Move objects away from the sewage backing up to prevent any further damage to property.
2. Call DPW to request a Sewer Maintenance crew investigate the sewer main:
   1. If a sewer backup occurs during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM) please contact Kevin Driscoll (262) 236-2937.
   2. If a sewer backup occurs during non-business hours, please contact the Mequon Police and report the backup. Give them your name, phone number and the address of where the backup is occurring. 24 Hour Police non-emergency contact after hours phone (262)242-3500
3. The Engineering Department or the Police Department will contact the on-call waste water worker. The worker will contact you, arrive on the scene and evaluate whether it is a lateral or mainline issue.
4. If it is a mainline issue the worker will clean the line to remove any obstructions. Take pictures of the backup if there is any damage to your property and notify City Hall of the backup.
5. If it is a private lateral issue the problem is on your property and you will need to call a plumber. Let the plumber know that the City’s mainline is flowing properly. The plumber may ask for information such as distance from the road to help determine how long of the appropriate rodding device to bring. You may want to have the plumber televise and record the condition of your lateral for your reference.
6. Begin cleanup. Raw, untreated sewage contains bacteria and pathogens; residents may consider hiring a professional cleaning service that specializes in this type of cleanup.