See or cause sanitary sewer overflow

Take action  

When you cause or witness raw sewage overflowing into the environment, immediately follow the following steps. Raw sewage contains disease-causing pathogens; including viruses, bacteria, worms, and protozoa that can cause stomach flu, upper respiratory infections, and potentially life-threatening illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, Hepatitis B, and cryptosporidiosis.

Steps

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Notify the District Immediately

Business Hours
Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Phone: (408) 378-2407, press 2

After Hours Only
Phone: (408) 299-2507

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Protect the Storm Drains

Use mats, dikes, berms, anything available to block sewage from entering the storm drain system.

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Protect the Public

Monitor, if it is safe to do so, a spill that is entering an area where public contact may occur until the District Maintenance Crew arrives.

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Provide Information

Provide information about the SSO such as start time, appearance point, suspected cause, and weather conditions to the District Maintenance Crew.

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Direct All Media and Public Relations Requests

Call the District Manager at (408) 378-2407 to forward all media requests.

How do you prevent sanitary sewer overflows

When clearing plugged on-site sewer laterals:

  • Remove root balls, grease blockages and any other debris before they enter the District ROW sewer lateral and sewer main.
  • If you can’t prevent root balls, grease or debris from entering the District ROW sewer lateral or sewer main, call the District at (408) 378-2407, press 8 so the District can work with you to remove the blockage and prevent blockages further downstream in the District sewer system
  • Use plenty of water to flush lines.

When constructing or repairing on-site or ROW sewer laterals:

  • Check your work area. Make sure there is no construction debris left in any sewer line before you backfill.
  • Avoid offset joints, which may make sewer lines vulnerable to root intrusion; and grease or debris accumulation. Properly bed your joints and use District-approved methods to tie into District sewer mains.