Show All Answers

1. How do I report a suspected leak or emergency situation?

The City of Midland's Water Reclamation Facility  responds to emergencies related to the city's wastewater system (such as wastewater leaks) 24 hours a day. If you have a wastewater system emergency or wish to report a suspected leak, please call the facility directly at (989) 837-3500.

2. My sewer is backed up. Can someone from the Water Reclamation Department come and fix it?

If your sewer is backing up into your home and you don't know if the problem stems from the system in your home or the City's sanitary sewer system, we recommend that you call the Water Reclamation Facility at 989-837-3500 and report the problem immediately. The Water Reclamation Facility is staffed 24 hours a day, and staff typically can respond within 45 minutes.

When responding to a call, City staff will inspect the City sewer in your area and determine if we can help with the problem. If we can't help, we recommend that you look for an established sewer cleaner or plumber, either of which can generally be found in the phone book.

3. Is the City of Midland responsible for sewer repairs from my house or building?

No. The homeowner is responsible for any sewer problems in the sanitary sewer system from inside the home to the point at which the sewer pipe joins the City's portion of the system, which is typically found in the street in front of a home or building or in the out lawn area. The City is responsible for the collection system that runs throughout the city. The City's portion of the collection system is comprised of pipes that are called "mains". These mains can be up to 48 inches in diameter. In contrast, some home or building pipes (also called laterals) are either 4 or 6 inches in diameter.

4. Can you recommend a sewer cleaner or plumber to help me?

City staff cannot recommend private companies to perform services for residents. However, when you are searching for a quality company, it is recommended that you consider asking the following questions:

• What is the cost to perform a given service?
• What is the company's guarantee for their work?
• How long does the guarantee last?

5. What causes my sewer to backup?

Blockages can occur for numerous reasons. Some of the most common causes are tree roots, grease and toys or objects inserted by children who may use drains to dispose of pencils, Barbie dolls, etc.

6. How can I prevent and/or solve sewer backup problems?

Grease and items not intended for sewer disposal should not be put down the drain. If such items go down the drain, contact a sewer cleaner or plumber to remove them.

Tree roots, a common cause of sewer problems, will grow deeper and farther into the ground to find a water and nutrient source. Sewer pipes installed prior to the 1980s were typical of the clay pipe style, which can allow roots to access and disrupt the wastewater flow in your sewer. A root cutter can be utilized to correct this problem.

Once again, we recommend contracting with a sewer cleaner or plumber to correct this problem, as most homeowners will generally not be familiar with or have the equipment needed to perform the work. For the do-it-yourselfer who would prefer trying to correct the problem on his / her own, this type of equipment may be rented from a local vendor.

7. For what other types of situations would I contact the City's Water Reclamation Department?

• Sewage backup in home
• Sewer odor in basement
• Odor in the air
• Flusher truck working in area
• Interested in touring the Water Reclamation Facility
• Street flooding with rainwater

8. Does the City have a recreational vehicle (RV) waste disposal site?

An RV waste disposal site is located at the Water Reclamation Facility, 2125 Austin St. Any Midland city resident may bring their RV to the plant to dispose of waste from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and on the weekends and during holidays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This service is free to Midland city residents.

9. Is domestic septage from licensed commercial haulers accepted at the plant?

Yes, the Midland Water Reclamation Facility is a receiving facility for domestic sewage from licensed haulers.

10. Can I pay my water / sewer bill over the Internet?

Yes. Use the Online Water / Sewer Bill Payment website to pay using your credit or checking card.