Sanitary Sewer System

Maintenance of the sanitary sewer collection system is provided by crews from the Infrastructure Maintenance Division and the Water Reclamation Plant. Maintenance is performed to ensure free flow of wastewater through the system and to prevent blockages that can cause back-ups and sanitary sewer overflows. These backups and overflows can pose a health risk, in addition to being an inconvenience to the business/homeowner. 

24-hour emergency call number for storm and sanitary sewer back-ups or overflows: 507-328-2640

Maintenance Activities

• Pipe and structure inspections
• System flushing
• Mechanical and chemical root control
• Pipe rodding for removal of roots, grease and debris build-up
• Piping lining to improve structural integrity and reduce clear water infiltration

Common Causes for Flow Blockages

• Flushed Items That Do Not Belong in the Sewer System
• Fats, Oils, or Grease Buildup
• Roots
• Collapsed or Damaged Pipes

Recommendations for Residents

• Never pour grease down sink drains, floor drains, or into toilets
• Scrape grease and food scraps into a can or the trash for disposal
• Use a strainer in the sink to collect excess food scraps
• Do not rely on a garbage disposal to get rid of grease; they are not trash cans!
• Do not flush items that Do Not Belong in the Sewer System down toilets.  This includes products labeled as "Flushable Wipes."
• Have your service lateral inspected by a licensed professional on a regular basis

Septic System Agreement Requests

View the Agreement & Easement Requests page for information about septic system agreement requests.

History of Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacements (from Main to House)

Property owners are responsible for maintaining the sanitary sewer service from their property to where it connects with the sanitary sewer main. A sanitary sewer main is typically located in the middle of the street. This work requires a connection permit.

On February 24, 2020, Public Works staff presented the 2020 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan to the Rochester City Council. The Master Plan prioritizes capital improvement projects for the maintenance of aging or deteriorated infrastructure and identifies where capacity constraints in the current system would limit future development. The Master Plan also determined the infrastructure necessary to expand the system into undeveloped areas.

The City of Rochester pays for the initial construction of trunk sanitary sewer infrastructure into new developments and for trunk line improvements. Developers pay the City for this infrastructure via the Sewer Trunk Rates. As part of the Draft Master Plan, cost estimates were prepared for increased capacity and new line expansions in each of Rochester’s sanitary sewer zones, also known as “sewersheds.” The Sewer Trunk Rates in the Master Plan were based on the total cost of projects required to serve the projected growth in the ultimate area, divided by the acres available for development. Some sewersheds, such as Hadley Valley and Kings Run, have lower cost estimates because trunk lines sized for development currently exist and only line extensions would be required as development occurs. Other sewersheds, such as the South Zumbro, have higher cost estimates because development in these areas would require construction of significantly more infrastructure with fewer developable acres available.