Our Wastewater division maintains more than 1,200 miles of sanitary sewer underground lines and pipes.Annually, we clean 662 miles or 3.5 million feet of pipes annually and we CCTV inspect 95 miles or 500,000 feet of pipe.
Wastewater refers to any water that has become contaminated by human influence and is broken into two groups: sewage and stormwater, which are managed through separate systems in Aurora.
The city of Aurora offers a free service to Aurora residents. If you are experiencing backups or have questions/concerns about your later sewer service line, you can submit video footage of your pipe to the above email address. A Wastewater staff member will review the video and consult on suggestions, next steps, potential resolutions, etc. This serves as a second opinion in instances when homeowners are uncertain on repairs or maintenance of their sewer line. A video scope of your service line can be attained from a plumber or other vendor – customers usually receive a copy of the video in the form of a YouTube link or email attachment which can be easily forwarded to the city of Aurora via email.
Sewage and sanitary sewer system
Sewage comes from homes and businesses, commercial properties and public institutions and is the wastewater generated from bathrooms and kitchens. Sewage runs through the sanitary sewer system and is treated in sewage treatment facilities through a variety of biological and chemical processes and rendered safe before it's returned to the environment.
A sewer system is a network of pipes located within your home, behind walls and under floors that carry all your home’s wastewater to an underground lateral line. This lateral line connects your home to the city’s main sewer system. All pipes within your home, including the main lateral line, are your drainage system and your responsibility to maintain. Aurora Water maintains only the city main lines located in the public right of way such as streets, alleys and easements.
If you ever face a problem with your home's sewer system, it could be a result of a clogged drain in a specific area of your house. However, the main lateral line that connects your house to the city's sewer system can also sag, leak or rupture. In such a scenario, you may notice a backup of water in the lowest level of your house, such as a floor drain, lower-level shower, tub or toilet. important to note that this issue is still a part of your system, and it's your responsibility to fix it.
One of the most common misconceptions regarding wastewater infrastructure is that the utility provider will make the repairs and pay for the associated damages. However, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to maintain and repair the wastewater (sanitary sewer) service line that runs from their home or building to the city’s sewer mains in the alley or right of way, as well any resulting damages.