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Fredericton Area Pollution Control Commission

Contact the Water and Sewer Division

Sewer Utility

^{Water & Sewer Service Installation & Maintenance / Responsible Sewer Use / Your Sewer Cleanout & Water Meter}

The Public Works Department (which includes Engineering, Roads & Streets, and Water & Sewer) strives to provide cost-effective and responsive municipal services to the public within the policies, objectives and budgets outlined by City Council.

The Water and Sewer Division is responsible for the administration and operation of the City's water and sewer system. Services provided by the division include supply and distribution of potable water, maintenance of hydrants to accommodate fire protection, and sewage collection and treatment. The division is headquartered at St. Mary's St. Depot and operates numerous facilities throughout the City, including wells, water booster stations, sewage lift stations and the Water Treatment Plant off Woodstock Road.

The majority of sewage collected is treated at the Barker Street treatment plant, which is operated by Fredericton Area Pollution Control Commission (FAPCC), Water and Sewer also operates two treatment facilities.

Water & Sewer Service Installation & Maintenance

For new owners, those of us who have never had problems, here is some potential useful information:

• The installation of a house service starts with an application and deposit, usually at the same time as the Building Permit application. All costs incurred during the installation is charged against the deposit, with a reconciliation upon job completion.
• Water and Sewer laterals are installed either by Utility crews or under the direct supervision of Utility staff or professional engineers. Such control of the installation allows the City to warrant the work to provide 24 hour response to blockages and some other problems within the main or service pipes and water meters, free of charge.
• Often, within a year or two of the installation of a service lateral, the service trench may settle. If this is the case, the owner is recommended to take care of the problem without municipal assistance. As all work involved in the installation or maintenance of services is paid for by the applicant, and as experience suggests that the applicant can usually get the problem repaired at lower cost, City forces do not normally do maintenance on service trenches on private property.

Responsible Sewer Use

Which Of The Following Can Be Properly Disposed Of By Flushing Down A Toilet?

• houseplant leaves and clippings;
• silt or mud;
• rags;
• human or animal hair; tea bags, coffee grounds, filters;
• cooking grease or animal grease (don't pour these down the sink either!);
• cigarettes, cigars, butts;
• kitty litter;
• solvents, paint;
• sanitary napkins;
• tampon applicators, plastic;
• tampon applicators, cardboard;
• tampons;
• disposable diapers;
• condoms;
• boxes, packaging, wrappers.

ANSWER:

• NONE OF THEM!! It does not matter what you have been told or what it says on the package, these items do not biodegrade during the time spent in the wastewater collection and treatment systems. They cause blockages in sanitary sewer service connections, mains and pumping stations, causing backups into homes, and unnecessary discharges to the environment. They foul valves and pumps, resulting in many thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair costs each year in our City.

The same answer goes to homes which use on-site disposal (septic tanks and disposal fields). These items do not quickly biodegrade and therefore take up space while they may interfere with the normal operation in the tank. They may also interfere with tank maintenance, and may detrimentally affect the municipal system when/if the sludge is finally disposed of in that system.

For the environmentally conscious, the general rule is:

If you did not eat it first, you should find another way to dispose of it.

Your Sewer Cleanout & Water Meter

Your sewer cleanout should remain accessible in case a problem develops that requires our assistance. As well your water meter should be accessible in case it needs maintenance. Next to your meter is your main valve, which you may need in a hurry should a leak develop in your own plumbing. Exercising this valve from time to time will help ensure that it can be easily operated should a problem develop with interior plumbing. Renovations should never make these inaccessible.

Have you noticed your toilet and sinks draining slowly? Have you had the misfortune of sewage backup in the past?

If so, the City of Fredericton Water and Sewer Division will make a free house call for a maintenance check on your sanitary sewer service connection. We have crews available Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for this service.

Emergency response for plugged service connections is provided around the clock but you can save us money by eliminating expensive overtime and the inconvenience of a sewer backup, by taking advantage of this service.