Welcome to the Northeast Public Sewer District Website!

How to report an overflow
If you ever experience a problem with your sanitary sewer system or notice a sewer overflow, you can call (636) 343-5090 for 24 hour emergency service.

About sewer backups
There are a number of different reasons why sewer back-ups may occur. The District truly regrets the inconvenience this situation causes and regularly takes steps to improve the reliability of the collection system and

minimize the occurrence of any overflows. The following sections will cover where sewer backups or overflows occur, why they occur, and who is financially responsible.

• Who is responsible for a fixing the blocked sewer - The District is responsible for the repair and maintenance to our sewer mains. The homeowner is responsible for the repair and maintenance to their sewer lateral and/or problems arising from trees or structures influencing their lateral condition.



• Lateral line problems - Lateral lines are those which extend from the customers home to the main sewer line. The lateral line is considered part of the home and is the responsibility of the homeowner. The majority of back-ups occur because the lateral line from the home to the main line becomes blocked. The stoppage can occur from several different things, but most commonly occur from items being flushed down the toilet or drain, or roots that have grown into the lateral line. Most standard homeowner insurance policies DO NOT cover damage caused by lateral lines that become clogged and cause damage. Homeowners should check with their insurance provider and verify their exact coverage related to lateral back-ups.



• Main line problems - The main sewer lines are the property of the District and are a minimum of eight inches in diameter. There are times when a main line sewer can become clogged and result in a back-up into a customers home. The liability of the District varies based on the reason for the back-up. If an obstruction in the main line sewer is caused by vandalism, such as rocks, rags, or other debris deposited in the line, the District has no financial responsibility to cover damage to your home. The same is true of clogs caused by sanitary napkins, roots, grease, or other such items put into the sewer system.



• How to report a backup into my home - Always notify the District of a sanitary sewer backup immediately at (636) 343-5090. The District will send a supervisor to document the backup. The homeowner should contact their homeowners insurance to file a claim and have an adjuster out. Payment for damage to the home will then be rectified by the District's and the homeowners insurance companies.



• Acts of God - The most common reason for a sewer to backup is excessive rain or flooding. Although the sanitary sewer system is completely separate from the storm water lines, rainwater can get into the sanitary sewer lines. Excessive amounts of rainwater can use the capacity of the sanitary sewer and cause a back-up to occur in basements and homes. The District is NOT responsible for any damage resulting from Acts of God.



• Sewer Backup Insurance - Most standard homeowner's insurance policies will NOT cover damage from water that backs up through the sewer line, drains, or sump pumps. Even if a homeowner has flood insurance, sewer and drain back-ups are normally excluded from those types of policies. Coverage for this type of event must be added as a separate rider to your homeowners insurance policy. The District encourages each homeowner to verify their coverage with their insurance provider and consider adding an appropriate amount of sewer and drain backup insurance. This is especially important for customers who live in low-lying areas and those with finished basements.



• Emergency Procedures - If you are experiencing a sewer back-up, please contact Northeast Public Sewer District as soon as possible.
  Call (636) 343-5090 for 24 hour emergency service. The District will respond to all calls as soon as possible to determine the cause of the problem, to document the problem, and to take corrective actions as we can to alleviate the backup. If the cause is in the customer's lateral line, the customer will be informed so that he or she can arrange for their plumber to correct the problem.

Northeast Public Sewer District recommends the following actions if damage occurs because of a sanitary sewer back-up.

• • All sewage and water should be removed immediately from the affected areas. This can be accomplished by using wet vacuums.
  
  
  
  • Remove all wet rugs, clothes, boxes, and other items from the affected area. All washable items should be cleaned immediately and kept separate from non-affected clothing. This includes rugs, clothes, and any other item that can be cleaned in a washing machine. It is recommended to run an empty load through the washing machine with bleach added to ensure that the appliance is disinfected afterwards.
  
  
  
  • All water should be removed from carpets and then the carpet cleaned and deodorized. Contact you local home center or flooring outlet for the latest recommended cleaners for your particular carpet type.
  
  
  
  • All concrete floors should be washed down with fresh water, and then washed with a strong cleanser or other germ and odor killing solution.
  
  
  
  • Only keep necessary items. If you are keeping any item make sure the items are thoroughly cleaned before they are put away. The basement area should be thoroughly dried.