FAQs • Spokane County, WA • CivicEngage

I can smell sewage in or around my home. What causes this?: Most times if you are smelling sewage in your home it is due to a p-trap that has dried out from lack of use. Run water down the drain to fill up the p-trap. Outside of the home, if the wind is right, you can sometimes smell sewage coming from the roof vents of your house or your neighbor’s house.

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Wastewater Operations and Maintenance

1. What number do I call for a sewer spill, backup, or other sewer-related emergency?: If you are in the Spokane County Sewer Service Area, call the Wastewater Operations Center at 509-477-1984. For after-hours calls dial 509-459-9330. If you are in the City of Spokane Sewer Service Area call 509-625-7900.

2. How do I report a noisy or missing manhole lid?: Call 509-477-1984 during business hours.

3. There is water coming out of a storm drain lid or the catch basin is clogged on my street. Who do I call?: Call the County Public Works Department at 509-477-3600.

4. I have requested a utility locate. When will the sewer lines be marked?: Call 509-477-3604 to talk to an inspector.

5. Can I dump automotive, household chemicals or other materials down the drain?: No. Only normal strength residential wastewater may be discharged to the sanitary sewer system.

6. How do I report a blown toilet?: Contact the crew that is working in the street near your house or call 509-477-1984.

7. Why do blown toilets happen?: When our crews are cleaning the sewer mains they are using high-pressure hoses that spray water in the sewer main. This can cause high air pressure or negative air pressure in the sewer main and sewer service lines that connect to the house plumbing. If a house does not have adequate sewer vents, which are usually vented through the roof, the excess air pressure can cause water to be blown out of the toilets or p-traps in the home. If your toilet is blown, please contact the equipment operator or call 509-477-1984.

8. How often are the sanitary sewer main lines cleaned?: Usually once every three years. Some ‘problem areas’ may be cleaned more frequently if there are problems with grease buildup or other issues.

9. My sewer service line is broken or blocked. Who is responsible?: The home owner. The County is only responsible for maintaining the public sewer main. The sewer service line from the home to the sewer main in the street is privately owned and maintained by the owner of the house or business.

10. My basement was flooded with sewage. Who is responsible for cleaning it up?: It is usually the homeowner’s responsibility to clean up their home due to sewer backups. The County is not responsible unless it is proved that we were negligent in the maintenance or operation of the sewer system.

11. I can smell sewage in or around my home. What causes this?: Most times if you are smelling sewage in your home it is due to a p-trap that has dried out from lack of use. Run water down the drain to fill up the p-trap. Outside of the home, if the wind is right, you can sometimes smell sewage coming from the roof vents of your house or your neighbor’s house.

12. Why can’t I flush ‘flushable’ wipes?: These products, no matter how they are advertised, do not break down properly in the sewer collection system. They cause costly backups in the sewer mains and plug up pumps. All of this adds cost to operating the sewer system and takes time away from doing regular maintenance work.

13. How often are the sewer main lines inspected?: Usually once every 10 years. New sewer lines are inspected when they are installed and then again after paving. After it is verified that they were constructed properly the lines are conveyed to Spokane County and they are then maintained by the County.

14. My wedding ring was flushed down the toilet. Can the County get it back?: No. We cannot search for lost wedding rings or other valuables flushed down the toilet. You may try calling a plumber to help you look in the privately owned and maintained sewer service line between the house and the sewer main line in the street.

15. How do I request a pre-pave sewer inspection?: Call Environmental Services Sewer Planning & Engineering at 509-477-3604.

16. What if there is a dead deer in the road?: If it is a County road call 509-477-3600. For State roads call the Washington State Department of Transportation at 509-324-6000. In City of Spokane call 509-755-2489. In Spokane Valley call 509-921-1000. Dead deer on private property are, in most cases, the responsibility of the property owner. Call the WDFW for other game animal related questions at 509-892-1001.

17. How can I find out what water district I am in?: Go to http://cp.spokanecounty.org/scout/map/ and pick your parcel on the map. Then click the Districts tab.