Sewer Backups
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Please note that sanitary service lines, which generally run from the foundation to the sewer main, are the maintenance responsibility of the homeowner. Most sewer mains are owned and maintained by the City or Village in which you reside. Fox Metro owns those mains which are located in unincorporated areas. Contacting the correct municipality may speed up the response of the appropriate authority.
What to do if your sewer backs up
If you experience a sewer back-up in multiple plumbing fixtures and live within the city or village limits, first contact the public works department (see chart below). If you live in an unincorporated area, please contact Fox Metro at 630-301-6811 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm) and 630-892-4378 at other times. We will investigate the sanitary sewer main for blockages or other potential problems. If the sewer main is blocked, we will initiate corrective action to restore flow in the main. If the main line is clear, the homeowner will be advised to contact a licensed plumber or sewer rodding company to assist them. At this point, the homeowner is responsible for any and all costs incurred.
If all drains flow except for one, please call your plumber or rodding service for assistance.
| Normal business hours | After hours emergencies | |
| City of Aurora | 630-256-3710 | 630-256-3710 |
| Village of Montgomery | 630-896-9241 | 630-553-0911 (police dept non-emergency) |
| Village of North Aurora | 630-897-8228 | 630-897-8705 (police dept non-emergency) |
| Village of Oswego | 630-554-3242 | 630-551-7300 (police dept non-emergency) |
| Village of Sugar Grove | 630-391-7230 | 911 |
| Yorkville | 630-553-4370 | 630-553-4040 (police dept non-emergency) |
| Fox Metro WRD (*Unincorporated Areas) | 630-301-6811 (7:00am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday) |
630-301-6888 |
*Fox Metro covers the unincorporated areas of Aurora and Oswego Townships, with the exception of Shore Heights. Shore Heights (Anchor Dr., Augusta Rd., and Dolores St. area) in unincorporated Oswego is served by Illinois American Water. Their emergency number is 800-422-2782.
If the basement is flooded as the result of a severe storm, the water may be contaminated. There may also be electrical hazards present if the water has submerged electrical fixtures in the basement (e.g. outlets or devices that are plugged in).
When a plumbing company or rodding service is called, every effort to clear the blockage should be made by normal rodding techniques. If a cleanout has not been provided in the house or front yard, the most effective point to enter the service line is from a cleanout in the basement. If the house is on a slab, the toilet in the central bathroom of the home must be removed in order to perform this type of service.
What to do if your sewer service needs to be repaired
If it is determined that your sewer services needs to be repaired, we recommend that the property owners get two to three price quotes. Prior to the commencement of any work, the homeowner or contractor must obtain a no charge repair permit from the Engineering Department. The contractor performing the work will need to have a current License and Permit Bond on file. An inspection is also required prior to backfilling. If performed during normal business hours, inspections are free of charge. If you have questions regarding a sewer repair, please call 630-301-6811.
If a company televises your service, feel free to reach out to the Engineering Department to have one of our staff members review the video and then give their recommendations. We would need a copy of the televising either on a DVD or a flash drive.
Common Causes of Sewer Blockages
There may be times when your sewer service outside becomes blocked. This will usually become evident when the toilet overflows, and at the same time, the water in the sink or bath tub at the same elevation is slow in draining or not draining at all. Common causes of sewer blockages include:
- Something stuck in the sewer line between the fixture and the sewer main
- Growth of tree roots in the service line to the home
- A collapsed tile
In rare instances, backups may also be caused by a blockage in the sewer main itself.
Prevention
Sewers are not designed to receive objects such as diapers, sanitary wipes (even if they say “flushable”), cloth, sticks, toys, grease, etc. These items should never be flushed down the drain as these will often become lodged at turns in the sewer line and are costly to remove.
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