SANITARY SEWER

Please report immediately by calling (408) 794-1900:

• Sewer spills or bad odors
• Local flooding or sewer overflows

Other services:

• Apply for a Sewer Lateral Repair Grant

The sanitary sewer transports waste water from residences (e.g., sinks, toilets, and baths) and businesses to the City's San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. It is then treated physically and biologically before being reused as reclaimed water or discharged into the Bay watershed.

We maintain the sanitary sewer system located within the City streets. This includes:

• Regularly cleaning and removing debris from over 2,000 miles of sewers
• Proactively inspecting sewer mains using special cameras and equipment
• Repairing damaged sanitary sewers
• Responding quickly to sewer blockages and spills 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  
  • City crews usually respond within 30 minutes to contain spills and to see that hazardous wastewater does not enter the storm drains or surface water
  • The City will investigate reports of a leaking or spilled sanitary sewer at no charge to the caller
  • If a problem affecting a resident is determined to lie within City jurisdiction, all work needed to clear, restore service, and clean up any spills will be performed by the City at no charge to the resident
• Some City-owned sewer lines travel underneath private property. In these locations, the City will have an easement which allows right of access.