Sewer cleaning through the end of March

TRAFFIC AND RESIDENT REMINDER
>>> Sewer cleaning begins this week on the east side of Bridgewater

Sewer cleaning will be taking place in on the east side of Bridgewater beginning this week and running through March 28, 2024, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and weather permitting.

There may be short-term stop-and-go traffic, guided by traffic control personnel, in parts of the east side during this important maintenance work. Please expect to encounter the occasional brief delay through the end of the month.

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 DOES THE TOWN CLEAN 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 ARE THE SEWERS CLEANED?
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 SEWERS ARE CLEANED 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.

We generally recommend that you 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 MY TOILETS AND WATER WHILE CLEANING IS TAKING PLACE?
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 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 SEWERS?
The Town has 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 Bridgewater 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.