To report overflowing manholes or sewage spills, please use the Public Services Issues Notification Form.

The best way to reduce sewage is to practice common sense water conservation at home.
By practicing any or all of the tips below, you will be helping the City to address this concern and
reduce the likelihood of future spills.
1. Running the dishwasher and washing machine only when full can save 1,000 gallons per month.
2. Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save 1,000 gallons per month.
3. Fixing a leaking toilet or faucet can save 600 gallons of water per month.
4. Turning off water when brushing teeth, washing, or shaving can save 300 gallons of water per day.
5. Scrape rather than rinse food off of plates before placing them in the dishwasher.
6. When handwashing dishes, use standing soapy and rinse water rather than running water continuously.
7. Replace showerheads with low flow fixtures to reduce shower water use by up to 50%.
8. Adding aerators to faucets can reduce flows by up to 30%.
9. Replace your older inefficient toilet with a low-flow toilet and you may be eligible for a $100 rebate.
Find out more at conservationpays.com.
10. When replacing clothes washers and dishwashers, consider high efficiency options which use less water

Always avoid standing water

Pedestrians and motorists are advised to avoid standing water and children should not play in standing water.
Potholes, open manholes, sinkholes, storm drains or sharp objects may be hidden just below the surface of standing water.
Standing water due to flooding, water main or sewer main breaks and overflows may contain potentially harmful germs and chemicals.
Exposure to contaminated standing water may cause health issues. Please seek medical attention if you suspect illness or infection.

Cleanup Procedures

What should I do if sewage backs up into my home? 

•If a sewage backup has occurred in your home, stay out of affected areas and keep children and pets away. If the sewage backup has affected your entire home, evacuate the home until all affected areas, including but not limited to carpets, rugs, sheetrock, drywall and baseboards, have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
•If you have suffered a loss or damage to your property, you should contact the City’s Risk Management Division at 954-XXX to file a claim. Risk Management works on a reimbursement basis. If you are not comfortable performing the cleaning and disinfection yourself, we recommend you hire a professional of your choice to perform the work. Save all detailed receipts for reimbursement approval.
•If sewage has overflowed in open areas or streets, avoid these areas and do not let children or pets play in these areas.

How to clean up sewage contaminated items and sewage spills inside your home: 

•Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots and waterproof gloves.
•Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Once cleanup is complete, dry out affected items to prevent the growth of mold.
•Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia products as toxic fumes will form.
•Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or have them dry cleaned.
•Discard items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses, carpeting, wall coverings and upholstered furniture.

For spills outside your home: 

•Minor spills requiring instant attention may be disinfected with hydrated lime available from most garden shops. Follow the lime container’s label instructions for personal protective equipment needed. Use lime outdoors only.
•Sprinkle the lime onto the spill so it is dusted mostly white on the surface. After a day, rake up the thicker deposits and place in a trash bag for disposal. Use sprinklers or a garden hose to water the remainder into the soil.
•Avoid dry sweeping to limit your exposure to dust.
•Let the area dry in the sun. If there is still white lime dust visible on the yard, water it until the white dust is gone.
•Keep children and pets away from limed areas until the lime is no longer visible.

Follow proper hygiene processes to prevent illness: 

•Keep hands and fingers away from the nose, mouth, eyes and ears.
•Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after cleanup efforts, as well as before eating or drinking.
•Keep fingernails short and clean. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and foreign materials.
•Do not store clean work clothes with used work clothes.
•Shower as soon as possible after cleaning up sewage or sewage contaminated flood waters.