Sewer

Sewer System

The City currently operates a collection system only in the Historic Village.  It is composed of approximately 9,100 feet of sewer main (8,700 feet of gravity sewer and 400 feet of force main), 1 pump station and 33 manholes.

 

The City is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the City's sanitary sewer system within the Historic Village. If you notice wastewater running out of a manhole or have a plugged side sewer; please notify the City Public Works Dept immediately at 253-912-5381 or the City Hall mainline at 253-964-8121. The City will respond to ensure that the public sewer mains are operating correctly. For questions concerning billing, contact the utility billing department by phone at 253-964-8121.

After normal working hours, calls should be directed to the Public Works after hours' line at (253) 912-5389.


-UPDATE-
   

Effective July 1, 2008, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities will provide sanitary sewer service to the areas within the Historic Village previously serviced by the City of DuPont.  This change was authorized by a sanitary sewer agreement between the City and the County and transfers the sewer system to the County to own, operate, and maintain.  Sanitary sewer flows from properties within this area will continue to be collected and conveyed to the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.

 

Final billings from the City are expected to be mailed during the first week July for sewer charges through the end of June.  Residential customers within the Historic Village should expect their first bill from Pierce County in mid-September, Commercial customers the first week of August.  Customers should have received a recent informational notification from Pierce County regarding this transfer.  If you did not receive this notice, or would like to review the information, click here to view a copy.  

 

All properties outside of the Historic Village and within the Northwest Landing development are provided with sewer service through Pierce County Sewer Utility.

 

For more information, questions or concerns regarding sewer service please contact:

 

Pierce County Public Works and Utilities - Sewer Utility

Environmental Services Building

9850 64th Street West

University Place, WA 98467-1078

Phone: (253) 798-4050

Fax: (253) 798-4695

24-hour Emergency Response Line (253) 565-3440

To report a pump station or grinder pump alarm

 

http://www.piercecountywa.org/pc/abtus/ourorg/pwu/sewer/sewer.htm

Septic System

A few residential properties within the city are currently served by existing septic systems.  These are located in El Rancho Madrona and the Historic Village. Septic systems should be inspected every 3 years to prevent systems from failing.

 

Having your septic system properly maintained can help to save you money and reduce the chance of contaminating groundwater. Failing systems can be costly to repair and cause pollution of groundwater and nearby wetlands, streams, and lakes.

 

Tips on septic systems:

  • Tree roots can clog and damage septic systems, so only plant grass over and nearby your septic system
  • Do not park or drive your vehicles over or near a septic system, this can compact the soil and cause damage to your system.

Sewer Blockage

Sewage blockage in the sewer line can cause back up through floor drains and toilets at the lowest point in your home or business; and can cause wastewater to overflow out of sewer manholes. This will continue until the blockage is removed or until sewage is no longer entering the sewer line.

 

Some steps you can do to help prevent sewer blockage

 

·         Do not pour cooking grease and oil down your drains.

·         Do not flush paper products such as paper towels, moist towelettes, handy wipes, disposable towels, diapers, napkins, or tampons. The only truly flushable paper product is toilet paper. Other products might say they're flushable but can still cause sewerage blockage.

·         Do not use the garbage disposal to shred solid materials into finer pieces because this doesn't liquefy them and can get clogged in the sewage system. Some examples of kitchen solids are watermelon rinds, potato peels, corn kernels, eggshells, and chicken bones.

·         All sink, tub, and floor drains should be fitted with baskets or strainers to catch debris. Inspect them often, and clear them regularly.

·         In the bathroom, keep sinks with pop-up stoppers clog-free by routinely cleaning out the hair and other material that collects in them.