Sewer cleaning scheduled March 8 to 12

SEWER CLEANING SCHEDULED -- MARCH 8 TO 12

Sewer cleaning will be taking place in parts of the Town of Bridgewater from Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

Cleaning work will be focused on:

1) King St from Jubilee Rd to Park St

2) Prince St from Jubilee Rd to Maple St

3) Jubilee Rd from Brook St to Southridge Crt

4) Brook St from Jubilee Rd to Smith Ave

5) Cornwallis St from Prince St to Scotia St

6) Scotia St from Park St to George St

7) George St from Scotia St to Alexandra Ave

8) Medway St from Pine St to Dublin Ave

9) King St from Old Bridge to Veterans Bridge

10) King St from Victoria Rd to Starr St

11) Franks Ln

12) York St from Empire St to Victoria Rd

13) Empire St from York St to High St

14) Churchill St from Dufferin St to Empire St

15) Glenridge Ave from Dominion St to Empire St

16) Pleasant St from Victoria Rd to Empire St

17) Phoenix St from Pleasant St to York St

18) Queen St from Phoenix St to Dominion St

19) High St from Victoria Rd to Empire St

>> What are sewers?

Sewers are underground pipes that carry wastewater from homes and businesses to the wastewater treatment plants where it is treated and then released to the river. Everything you pour down your drains or flush down your toilet goes into a sewer.

>> Why are you cleaning the sewers?

The cleaning and inspection program keeps the sewer system operating efficiently by:

• Helping prevent blockages and backups.
• Removing built-up debris, such as tree roots, grease, grit and sand.
• Determining the condition of the sewer so we can repair or replace sewers as necessary.

>> How do you clean the sewers?

We use a high-pressure nozzle to flush water down the sewer. The dirt and debris are sucked up through a manhole by a large vacuum truck and taken to the landfill.

>> How long does it take to clean the sewers on each street?

It usually takes about one day to clean the sewer on each block. However, some sewers can take longer, depending on their size and condition.

>> Do I need to do anything before you clean the sewers on my street?

Yes. Occasionally during cleaning and inspection, air pressure in the sewer can cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and drains.

Take the following precautions to prevent water damage in your home:

• Close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use.
• Insert drain plugs in all sinks and bathtubs when not in use.
• Remove all floor mats in bathrooms.
• Place an old towel around the base of toilets.
• 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 and operating properly.
• Wrap the cover of your basement floor drains with plastic (i.e., a freezer bag). Place something heavy over the floor drains to keep the plastic-covered floor drain covers in place.

>> You may put things back as they were when the equipment has moved off your block.

>> Will I notice anything after you have cleaned the sewers on my street?

Sometimes the sewer cleaning and inspection leaves an odour in the home. If so, run some water down the sink and bathtub drains, flush the toilets, pour a pail of water into each basement floor drain and open the windows. After a short time, the odour should disappear.

>> Can I use the toilets and my water while you are cleaning the sewer on my block?

Yes. However, be careful as air pressure in the sewer during the cleaning and inspection can sometimes cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and drains. Remember to close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use and insert drain plugs in all sinks and bathtubs when not in use.

>> How will I know when you are cleaning the sewers on my street?

In most cases, we will put a notice in your mailbox before we clean the sewers on your street. If we need to clean the sewer quickly because of a blockage, we won't have time to let you know in advance.

>> When do you clean and inspect the sewers?

We have two types of programs:

1. A sewer cleaning program only: We move around the Town all year cleaning areas where there are persistent problems and doing emergency work to clear blockages.

2. A sewer cleaning and inspection program: We clean and inspect sewers in selected areas of the town each year, usually from November to April, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We realize that the equipment is very noisy and may disturb residents. Sometimes this cannot be avoided and we appreciate your patience.

>> Ways you can protect your home against sewer backup.

The sewer cleaning and inspection program is one of the steps that we take to reduce the risk of sewer backup. There are steps you can take to protect your home against basement flooding, including:

• Install a backwater valve and sump pit drainage system.
• Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly.
• Improve drainage around your house.

>> Things that should not be flushed down toilets:

Feminine products, condoms, cooking grease, food, baby/wet wipes, rags, dental floss, Q-tips, cotton balls, diapers, cat litter, pills, paper towels, Kleenex/facial tissue, cigarette butts, coffee grounds etc.

For more information, contact the Town of Bridgewater Public Works Department at (902) 543-5142 .