Water & Sewer Maintenance

Water Boil Advisory
When a water main break or other situation occurs in which any portion of the water system experiences a loss of pressure below 20 PSI, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) recommends that a Boil Advisory be issued to all affected customers within 24 hours of the occurrence. As soon as the affected area is identified, the notification procedure begins.
Although boil advisories can be inconvenient, they are an important safeguard. The majority of boil advisories issued are lifted within 26-36 hours.

Any or all of the following methods can be used to notify affected sections of the City:

The areas affected by boil advisories are determined by our staff using knowledge of valve locations, pressure zones, and connections to the mains. Not all houses in a neighborhood will be on any one water circuit.

Water boil advisories mean that water used for consumption (food preparation, drinking, brushing teeth, etc.) be boiled vigorously for at least one minute. Water used for purposes other than consumption (bathing, washing dishes, etc.) does not need to be boiled.

Animals often consume water containing microorganisms (such as streams or puddles) with no adverse health effects, so it is not necessary to boil the water give pets. Consult a veterinarian concerning the need to boil water for very young pets or those with a serious medical condition.

Fire Hydrant Flushing
Fire hydrants are flushed regularly to remove iron deposits and settlements from the system, check water flow, inspect and repair the hydrant. Sometimes during this process, residents may see discolored water or laundry stains. When hydrant flushing is being done in the neighborhood, check for clear running water before using for laundry. Rust on laundry items caused by hydrant flushing can often be removed with a produce available free from the City. Call 425-1896.

Leaks
Rising water bills, with no increase in use (watering lawns, washing cars, etc.), may mean a leak in the system.
Small leaks can waste a lot of water and significantly increase water bills:
60 drops of water per minute wastes 186 gallons of water per month.
1 1/2" drip leak wastes 603 gallons per month; this is enough water to wash the dishes from 30 meals.
A pencil lead diameter (1/16 inch) stream wastes 1,263 gallons per month; this amount could clean 28 loads of laundry.

Easy To Repair Leaks:

Toilets: Most toilet leaks can be traced to the overflow pipe. If overflow is a problem, a screw or knob on the valve or valve column will adjust the float arm down so the valve shuts the water off about a half inch below the top of the overflow pipe. If that doesn't solve the problem, the valve may be worn and need replacement.

Flapper Leaks: The best way to spot a flapper leak is to drop a little food coloring into the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl after about 10 minutes. If this occurs, the flapper valve needs replaced or re-aligned.

Sewer Maintenance Policy
The property owner is responsible for all maintenance and repair of the sewer line from the structure to the sewer main: cleaning and removal of obstructions such as tree roots, grease, etc. The City is responsible for maintenance and repairs within the right-of-way.

Preventive Maintenance Tips
To minimize water surprises such as flooding, wet basement, sewer back-up, etc. by taking a few precautions.

Flooding: Street and yard flooding is often caused by clogged street inlets and culvert pipes or poor yard grading. To help avoid flooding problems rake leaves and grass clippings out of gutters and away from culvert openings. To report a clogged inlet or culvert, call 425-1896 or use the on-line Request for Service.

Wet Basements: Ground water or improper drainage around the home can result in a wet basement. Make sure all downspouts direct water away from the house.

Sewer Back-Ups: Eighty-three percent (83%) of sewer back-up calls investigated by City crews are blockages of the lateral (the pipe running from the house to the sewer main in the street). To avoid costly repairs, at the first sign of trouble, contact a reputable plumber or sewer cleaner. If the plumber or sewer cleaner reports the blockage is in the City's main, City crews will respond quickly (often within one (1) hour) to check the public sewer for any blockages. If the main is clear, City crews on-site will assist with identifying the problem.

To avoid sewer backup problems, regular maintenance is recommended, such as tree root treatments, regular cleaning of the lateral lines and drains, ensuring downspouts are not connected to the lateral, vent stacks on the roof are clear of leaves, nests, etc.

If the property is served by a combination storm/sanitary sewer, make sure plugs are in the basement drains or backflow preventers are installed and in working order.  For more information, call 513-425-1896.

FAQ's

Who should I call if the sewer backs up into my basement?

Call the Maintenance Division at 425-1896 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. If you have a problem after hours or on a weekend call the Water Treatment Plant at 425-7781, they will dispatch a sewer maintenance crew to asses the problem. If the problem is in the City's main line they will take immediate action to clear the blockage. If the main line is not obstructed, the crew will advise you on how to solve the problem.

I recently saw rats go into a storm inlet, who do I call to handle the situation?

Call the Maintenance Division at 425-1896 and they will dispense rat bait. When calling, please be as specific as possible concerning the exact location of the problem.

We have recently had a problem with sewer odors in our neighborhood, is there anything that can be done about this?

Usually this problem occurs in areas served by combination sewers (combination sewers carry both storm and sanitary flows). During periods of dry weather, the flow in these sewers decreases and creates a condition where odors occur and escape through storm inlets. In recent years the Sewer Maintenance Division has taken a proactive approach to handling this problem by flushing and de-odorizing known problem areas. If you experience this problem please call the Maintenance Division at 425-1896 or you may submit an on-line Request for Service form.

How do I find out if my sewer is in a combination area?

You may call the Maintenance Division at 425-1896 for information concerning your service. Middletown has 3 sewer types. Sanitary sewers carry only flows from residential and commercial customers, storm sewers carry only storm water runoff, and combination sewers carry both sanitary and storm water.

The storm inlet in front of my house is stopped up causing high water in the street, whom do I call?

Call the Maintenance Division, or submit the on-line Request for Service.

My plumber says the sewer pipe from my house is broken under the street, who is responsible for repairs?

The property owner is responsible for the maintenance of their sewer lateral from the house to the city sewer main. The City is responsible for any repairs necessary within the public right-of-way. If you have further questions you may call 425-1896.

Recently I have been able to smell sewer odors inside my house, but there is no odor coming from the outside, how do I correct this?

The most common cause of sewer odors inside a residence is a dry drain trap. If you have a basement you should check the floor drains to see if the trap is dry. It may be necessary to pour water into the drain if in fact the trap appears to be dry. Sometimes when a drain has not been used for a while the water in the drain trap evaporates. This condition is basically an open pipe to the sewer main. Another common problem is the vent stack located on the roof of your house. Sometimes the vent gets clogged with leaves thereby cutting off the airflow that ventilates the drain system in your house.