Sanitary Sewers

The Town of Georgina provides sanitary collection services to the communities of Keswick and Sutton. The Town’s sanitary collection system collects and transports sewage from individual establishments – homes, workplaces, schools, buildings, parks, etc. – and all other civic establishments to larger sewer pipes that discharge wastewater into York Region’s transmission mains. The wastewater is transferred to York Region’s wastewater treatment plants, where it is treated and discharged into Lake Simcoe.

The Town’s sanitary collection system encompasses sewers, gravity mains and force mains, sanitary pumping stations and other wastewater assets managed by the Town’s water and wastewater division. The Town’s annual sanitary performance report provides results of the operation and maintenance of the sanitary collection system.

Sewer flushing

Be advised the Water and Wastewater Division has started the annual sewer maintenance in order to prevent blockages and sewer backups. The crew is taking every precaution possible to avoid any inconvenience but occasional toilet splashes may occur in locations with deficient plumbing. Ensure toilet lids are kept closed when not in use.

The cleaning of sewer pipes is a standard practice throughout all municipalities. Cleaning sewer lines is essential to maintaining a properly functioning sewer system and ensuring the community’s investment in its wastewater infrastructure is maintained. This activity removes grit, sand and gravel from sewer piping to prevent blockages, odour generation and premature wear of mechanical components in the sewer lift stations.

Each year, approximately 65 kilometres of sewer pipe is cleaned throughout Georgina. The majority of the time, residents are not aware this work is taking place. Given that sewer pipe cleaning is routine maintenance work where there are no service disruptions, no notice of disruption of service is provided. For planned service disruptions, notification is provided to residents as standard practice, notwithstanding emergency situations.

On rare occasions, some households will experience small spills, noises and odours. This can occur where there is a plumbing issue at the private residence. The most common reasons for this is inadequate venting and other non-compliant plumbing code arrangements. If an occurrence is determined to have happened as a result of the reasons noted above, it is suggested a plumber be contacted to identify the problem.

If you would like further information, or have any questions about this, contact the Town directly at 905-476-4301. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The Town has created a map to help residents see if their sewer is being flushed.

View the map

Sanitary laterals

A sanitary lateral is an underground pipe outside the home that carries wastewater from sinks, toilets, laundry, showers, etc., to the Town’s sanitary sewer mains. If not cared for properly, it can lead to sewage coming back into the house. Property owners are responsible for the proper use of the sanitary lateral and for items that go down the drains. Property owners are also responsible for the maintenance and cost to repair the pipe on both the private and Town side if misuse of the sanitary lateral is determined to be the cause of the blockage.

Causes of sewer backup

Sewer backups can occur for few different issues:

Grease and food poured down the kitchen sink or toilet. These materials can build up in the pipes and restrict the flow.
Tree roots can infiltrate the sanitary lateral, blocking the flow of wastewater to the sewer main.
Settling of pipes can occur over time, causing a break or ponding in the sanitary lateral.
Sink grinders can cause sanitary blockages. Even though the food is ground into small particles, these particles can still build up inside the pipe

What to do if experiencing a sewer backup

The property owner should call a licensed plumber to clear the blockage and attempt to restore flow in the sanitary lateral.
The plumber or property owner should call Ontario One Call for a sewer safety inspection at 1-800-400-2255. This is a free service offered by Enbridge to ensure a gas line does not intersect the sanitary lateral. Call before you clear – Ontario One Call.
Once the blockage is clear, a video inspection of the sanitary lateral should be taken to determine the cause of the blockage.
If the blockage or failure is between the property line and the house, the property owner is responsible for all repair costs, including plumbing contractor services.
If the property owner or plumber suspects the blockage or failure is between the property line and the sanitary main, call Service Georgina at 905-476-4301. For after-hours service, follow the prompts, and a waterworks operator will assist. A copy of the video inspection will be needed for Town staff to review.

Responsibility of sewer blockages

On private property

The property owner is responsible for clearing all blockages that occur within the sewer lateral, as well as repairing damaged pipe on private property. Normal sewage includes wastewater and biological solids. Other materials such as diapers, hygiene products and grease that cause blockages must be disposed of separately.

On Town property

If it is determined the sewer lateral is damaged within Town property and requires repair, the Town will assess the problem to determine who is responsible and undertake the repairs if deemed necessary. Property owners are responsible for any material entering the Town's sanitary sewer from their property. Responsibility for blockages or collapses of sanitary laterals caused by tree roots or other factors will be assessed to determine who is responsible for repairs.

How to prevent sewer backups

There are a number of ways to prevent sewer backups. Follow these tips to keep drains blockage-free:

Don't flush paper towels, diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products or pantyhose down toilets or sinks.
Don't pour fat, oil or grease down the drain, even if it is washed down with hot water.
Wipe greasy pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them.
Put food scraps in the green bin.
Start composting at home.
Use a strainer over the drain of sinks, tubs and showers, and empty the collected materials into the garbage.
Don't use too much detergent – follow the instructions on the bottle.
Don't pour paint, engine oil, pesticides or chemicals down the sink.
Avoid dropping jewelry and other valuables down the sink.
Review the residential insurance policy and check for coverage of damages due to sewer backups or water damage.

Protect pipes from Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) clog up

The disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG) has become an increasing concern, as flooding and sewer backups can be a major problem in houses and multi-level dwellings. However, it can be prevented by disposing of FOG products properly.

Common examples of FOG products

Cooking oils (canola or olive oil, non-stick pan sprays)
Food scraps and leftover grease (scrape off with a paper towel and throw it in the green bin)
Condiments (ketchup, curry paste)
Spreads (butter, margarine, cream cheese, jam)
Sauces (gravy, marinara)
Salad dressings

These should not be poured down the drain. Instead, dispose of them in the green bin!

Sewer cleaning and inspection frequently asked questions

What are sanitary sewers?

Sanitary sewers are underground pipes that carry wastewater from homes and businesses to one of the Town’s two wastewater treatment plants where it is treated and then released back to the lake. Everything you pour down your drain or flush down your toilet goes into a sewer.

Why are you cleaning and inspecting the sewers?

The cleaning and inspection program keeps the sewer system operating efficiently by:

Helping prevent blockages and backups
Removing built-up debris, such as tree roots, grease, grit and sand
Determining the condition of the sewer so we can repair or replace sewers as necessary

How do you clean the sewers?

A high-pressure nozzle is used to flush water down the sewer. The dirt and debris are sucked up through a manhole by a large vacuum truck and taken to a disposal site.

How do you inspect the sewers?

A remotely operated closed circuit television (CCTV) camera is inserted into the sewer to record its condition. From the video we can tell if we need to repair or replace the sewer.

Do you clean and inspect the sewers at the same time?

We clean and inspect some sewers at the same time. We clean others and then return later to inspect them with CCTV.

How long does it take to clean the sewers on each street?

It usually takes a few hours to clean each street. However, some sewers can take longer, depending on their size and condition.

Do I need to do anything before you clean/inspect the sewers on my street?

Yes. Occasionally during cleaning and inspection, air movement in the sewer can cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and drains. This is often a result of inadequate venting within the plumbing system of the home. Ensuring your homes plumbing system is in good condition and is up to current codes can reduce the likelihood of this occurring. Take the following precautions to prevent water damage in your home:

Close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use.
Insert drain plugs in all sinks and bathtubs when not in use.
Remove all floor mats in bathrooms.
Place an old towel around the base of toilets.
If you have a float plug in your floor drain or a backwater valve installed in your house, ensure that it is free of debris and operating properly.
Wrap the cover of your basement floor drains with thick plastic (i.e., a freezer bag). Place something heavy over the floor drains to keep the plastic-covered floor drain covers in place.

If you are running your cold water tap to prevent your water line from freezing during the winter, run water from a tap at the highest elevation in the house (i.e. main floor or upper level, not basement) without inserting the drain plug. Follow the precautions above for all remaining fixtures (toilets, sinks, and drains).

Will I notice anything after you have cleaned/inspected the sewers on my street?

Sometimes the sewer cleaning and inspection leaves an odour in the home. If so, run some water down the sink and bathtub drains, flush the toilets, pour a pail of water into each basement floor drain, and open the windows. After a short time, the odour should disappear.

Can I use the toilets and my water while you are cleaning and inspecting the sewer on my block?

Yes. However, be careful as air pressure in the sewer during the cleaning and inspection can sometimes cause water to splash out through toilets, sinks and drains. Remember to close the lids on all toilet bowls when not in use, and insert drain plugs in all sinks and bathtubs when not in use.

How will I know when you are cleaning the sewers on my street?

In most cases, when possible, we will place a notice on the Georgina website under Disruptions and closures , the Living Here Section under Water and Wastewater and social media before we clean the sewers in your area. If we need to clean the sewer quickly because of a blockage, we won't have time to let you know in advance.

Ways you can protect your home against sewer backup

The sewer cleaning and inspection program is one of the steps that we take to reduce the risk of sewer backup.

Homeowners should ensure that any work that is done to your plumbing system is done with permits issued from the Town’s Building Division. This will reduce any risks related to faulty plumbing.

Steps to take to protect your home against basement flooding

Install a backwater valve and sump pit drainage system with a building permit.
Check and maintain your backwater valve and sump pit drainage system regularly.
Improve surface drainage at ground level away from your house.

When do you clean and inspect the sewers?

There are approximately 200 kilometres of sewers in Georgina. We have two types of programs:

A sewer cleaning program only – we move around the Town throughout the year cleaning, and on occasion, addressing emergency situations
A sewer cleaning and inspection program – we clean and inspect sewers with CCTV cameras in selected areas of the town each year. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday (occasionally Saturdays), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On streets with high traffic volumes and high wastewater flow during the day, we may have to do this work at night. We realize that the equipment is noisy and may disturb residents. Sometimes this cannot be avoided and we appreciate your patience.