Call the City of Sarnia Public Works Department before attempting to clear a sanitary lateral sewer blockage. A sanitary lateral sewer blockage is when no drains are operating, the entire property is backed-up. Call 519-332-0330 during regular business hours. After hours or holidays, call 519-332-0330 (or 226-472-1150 direct) for Public Works emergencies.

City staff will inspect the clean-out (if property is equipped with one) and the upstream and downstream sanitary sewer manholes. If the blockage is determined to be on the public side of the sanitary sewer lateral or in the sanitary main, maintenance or repairs will be undertaken by City staff.  If the property is not equipped with a clean-out access, the City may camera the sanitary sewer lateral from inside the property one time to determine sanitary sewer lateral blockage location and inform of responsibility to rectify.

Property Owners’ Responsibility

The installation and maintenance of a clean-out is
the responsibility of the property owner. The City of Sarnia’s Bylaw 3 of 1993 “A Bylaw to Control the Design and
Construction of Sewers” states:

1. the maintenance of the building sewers (private sewer lateral lines) shall be the responsibility of the property owner; and,
2. a clean-out of 100mm in diameter (minimum) shall be provided by the owner on the building sewer at the property line; and,
3. an approved ferrous metal clean-out cover shall be located flush with the finished ground surface.
4. cover shall be located flush with the finished ground surface.

It is the responsibility of property owners to have a clean-out installed or to take whatever measures are necessary to have the clean-out access located and made accessible. In some cases, ensuring ready access to the cleanout may involve a complete installation or excavating to uncover and extend the clean-out up to the ground surface. The City will not provide assistance for a sanitary lateral blockage in the future until you have a clean out installed or made accessible. The City is not responsible for removal of lateral blockages if the clean-out access is not readily accessible, regardless of the location of the blockage. The City is not responsible for sewer lateral blockages on property owners’ lateral where roots from a tree on the boulevard could be the source.

City’s Responsibility

As per City of Sarnia by-law, it is now the City’s policy to only provide assistance at a property not equipped with a clean-out access within the property line. This visit will happen one time, and staff will determine sanitary sewer lateral blockage location and inform of responsibility to rectify.

What’s the Difference between Sanitary and Storm Sewers?

A catchbasin drains the water into the storm sewers.

You’ve seen one drain, you’ve seen them all. They are all the same, right? I can pour this cleaner down the drain because it goes to a wastewater treatment plant, right? Not so! It’s important to understand the difference between sanitary sewers and storm sewers so we can prevent environmental damage.

The sanitary sewer is a system of underground pipes that carries sewage from bathrooms, sinks, kitchens, and other plumbing components to a wastewater treatment plant where it is filtered, treated and discharged.

The storm sewer is a system designed to carry rainfall runoff and other drainage. It is not designed to carry sewage or accept hazardous wastes. The runoff is carried in underground pipes or open ditches and discharges untreated into local streams, rivers and other surface water bodies. Storm drain inlets are typically found in curbs and low-lying outdoor areas. Some older buildings have basement floor drains that connect to the storm sewer system.

Disposal of chemicals or hazardous substances to the storm sewer system damages the environment. Motor oil, cleaners, paints and other common household items that get into storm drains can poison fish, birds, and other wildlife, and can find their way into drinking water supplies. In addition, grass clippings, leaves, litter, and organic matter can clog storm drains and cause flooding.

Here are some things you can do to help maintain our sewer systems and keep our environment clean:

• Do not pour anything into storm sewer drains
• Keep storm sewer drains clear of leaves, grass clippings, sticks and litter
• Repair any leaks and drips from your vehicle
• Collect and recycle motor oil
• Clean up spills and don’t wash them into a drain
• Don’t pour paints, solvents, cleaners, etc. into any drain – take it to your local county household hazardous waste collection.
• Minimize the use of herbicides and pesticides

Installing Clean-Outs and Ontario One Call

Installing Clean-Outs
If you wish to locate your sewer lateral, the Public Works Department will, without charge, mark the location of the sewer lateral connection based on City records. However, the City cannot guarantee the accuracy of these records, we recommend contacting a licensed plumber to trace the sewer lateral to locate or install the clean-out access prior to undertaking any major excavation.

Local licensed plumbers are equipped to install clean-outs with the assistance of contractors. If the installation of your clean-out is completed by a licensed plumber, please notify Public Works so that its location can be documented for future maintenance.

Ontario One Call
While a blocked sewer can be a stressful situation you want resolved fast, your safety must be your priority. Call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 to request a free sewer safety inspection (Cross Bore Inspection – Enbridge Gas) before using mechanical or high-pressure water jetting equipment to try to clear a blockage. Cross Bore inspections are treated as emergency calls and handled as quickly as possible.

Plumbing Companies Conducting Business within Sarnia

The City of Sarnia requests your cooperation when investigating and clearing blockages in sanitary sewer laterals, and obtaining cross-bore locate information.

1. Property owners are advised to contact the City of Sarnia Public Works first to determine if the buildings sanitary sewer lateral blockage is on the public side of the property. City staff will inspect the clean-out and the upstream and downstream sanitary sewer manholes. If the blockage is determined to be on the public side of the sanitary sewer lateral or in the sanitary main, rodding or repairs will be undertaken by City staff. If the property is not equipped with a clean-out access, the City may rod and camera the sanitary sewer lateral from inside the property
one time to determine sanitary sewer lateral blockage location and apprise of responsibility to rectify. The City’s information letter for Property Owners/ Tenants will be provided at each property location advising the City will provide no further assistance with a blockage on the public portion of the sanitary sewer lateral without a clean-out access at the property line. It will be recommended the property owner engage the services of a licenced plumber. All pertinent information will be recorded into City records.

2. Plumbers receiving a sanitary sewer back-up call from a property owner that is affecting the entire building should inquire if they have contacted the City to troubleshoot sanitary sewer lateral blockage issue. Please see above (#1) .

The City will no longer pay any plumber fees or reimburse a property owner for any sanitary sewer lateral blockage issues with no clean-out access available outside of building at or near property line.
Plumbing company’s rodding the sanitary sewer lateral from the inside of the building are required to clear any blockage all the way to the sanitary sewer main located in the roadway.
The Plumber is responsible for anything they lodge in sanitary sewer lateral and must bear all removal costs and required permits.
If the Plumber or Property owner informs the City the blockage was on the public side City staff will arrange with the owner to video the sanitary sewer lateral from inside building access, provided they have not been notified of the requirement for a clean-out installation.
This will constitute the one time investigation by the City staff without the availability of a sanitary sewer lateral clean-out access.

If property has clean-out access on the sanitary sewer lateral and inspection indicates blockage is on public property the plumbing company shall cease all plumbing works/investigations and contact the City.
City contact information:

a) City of Sarnia Public Works Department during regular business hours (Monday-Friday between 7:30am–4:00pm) at 519-344-1932.
OR
b) Call 519-332-0330 (or 226-472-1150 direct) for afterhours Public Works emergencies.

Cross bore information:

Contact Ontario One Call toll-free at 1-800-400-2255 to arrange for a sewer service lateral locate (ie. a cross-bore locate) prior to rodding the sewer lateral.

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact the City of Sarnia, Public Works at 519 344-1932.

The City of Sarnia thanks you for your cooperation in this matter.

Having a clean environment is of primary importance for our health and economy. Clean waterways provide recreation, commercial opportunities, fish habitat, and add beauty to our landscape. All of us benefit from clean water – and all of us have a role in getting and keeping our lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater clean.