Sewer Maintenance
City Utilities crews conduct annual sewer main flushing and proactive maintenance programs between the months of April and October. The purpose of this work is to inspect and clean the sewer system to mitigate the potential for blockage and assess the condition of infrastructure. Other emergent flushing and maintenance is performed as needed throughout the year.
Sewer Main Maintenance Work
This work is important in the maintenance of the sewer system to:
- Reduce the potential for blockage or back ups.
- Remove tree roots, FOG (fats, oil and grease), sediment and other debris.
- Assess the condition of sewers to identify areas for repairs or replacements.
What could residents experience during this work?
During this work that consists of high-pressure jetting within the sewer main, homeowners may occasionally experience:
- Foul odour in their homes that may be emitted from floor drains that are dry or are sucked dry.
- Toilets that bubble or splash upwards outside the toilet (it is recommended that toilet lids be kept closed to reduce splashing from the toilet).
- Rumbling and gurgling sounds from toilets, sinks or floor drains.
FAQs
To learn more about how you can prepare see the FAQs below.
How do you clean the sewers?
We use a high-pressure nozzle to flush clean water through the sewer. The roots, fats, oils and grease (FOG) and other debris are normally sucked up through a manhole by a large vacuum truck.
What type of sewer main maintenance is completed with this work?
- High pressure flushing
- Root cutting
- CCTV video inspection
Do I need to do anything before you clean/inspect the sewers on my street?
Yes. Occasionally during cleaning and inspection, air pressure in the sewer line can cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and floor drains. Please note: the water which may splash out is not normally from the sewer main but from the toilet bowl or the plumbing p-trap. Take the following precautions to prevent water damage in your home:
- Close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use.
- If you have a float plug in your floor drain or a backwater valve installed in your house, ensure that it is free of debris, regularly maintained and operates properly.
- Ensure basement floor drains are flushed seasonally with clean water as the water in the p-trap can evaporate or become stagnant.
Will I notice anything after you have cleaned/inspected the sewers on my street?
Sometimes the sewer cleaning and inspection can leave a foul odour in the home. If you experience odour, you can:
- Run water down the sink and bathtub drains.
- Flush toilets.
- Pour a pail of water into each basement floor drain.
- Open the windows.
Can I use the toilets and my water while sewer main maintenance is occurring in my area?
Yes, however, be aware that additional water jetting pressure in the sewer during the cleaning and inspection can sometimes cause water to splash out of toilets, sinks and floor drains.
- Tip: Remember to close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use.
More Information
For any comments, questions or concerns related to the Sewer Main Maintenance Program, please contact:Related Pages
Last edited: April 1, 2025