When the utility crew gets a call about backed up sewers, they often find balls of baby wipes, toilet cleaning pads, hygiene products and paper towels matted together. It turns out that those flushable products shouldn’t be flushed. They don’t break down like toilet paper. They can collect in the sewer lines, especially in older pipes that may have cracks, grease, roots or other obstructions that can cause backups.

The City does regular maintenance on the City’s sewer lines. Every city-owned sewer main is cleaned with a high pressure water jet at least every three years.

Before calling a private plumber, Roseville residents should call the Utility Department at 651-792-7004 during regular business hours or 651-767-0640 after business hours when having trouble with toilets or drains. A City worker will check the City’s main sewer to see if it is working properly and notify you of its condition.

The City is responsible for repairs on the main sewer line. The homeowner is responsible for sewer repairs from the home to the main sewer line. If you call a plumber and later find the problem is in the main sewer line, you will still be responsible to pay the plumber for visiting your property.

The City recommends that homeowners review their homeowner’s insurance policy. Most policies do not cover sewer backups. Extra coverage costs about $100 for the average priced home in Roseville.