Knowledge Base

The Sanitary Sewer Collection System conveys wastewater from homes and businesses throughout Rochester to the Water Reclamation Plant for treatment. The sanitary sewer collection system consists of a network of gravity mains, force mains, inverted siphons, access structures, lift stations and pressure relief points. There are over 500 miles of city owned sewer pipe and over 12,000 city owned structures. In addition to structures owned by the city, there are over 28 miles of privately owned sewer pipe and 710 private owned structures that convey the wastewater to the Water Reclamation Plant.

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 provide free-flow of the wastewater through the system and to prevent blockages that can cause back-ups  and sanitary sewer overflows. These back ups and overflows can be a health risk, in addition to being an inconvenience to the business/home-owner.

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

For more information, visit: Sanitary Sewer System