Sewer Blockage
 

Contacts

Municipal Office

395 Mulock Drive P.O. Box 328 Station Main, Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 4X7
905-895-5193

Email Us

 Sewer blockages on private property are the sole responsibility of the homeowner/resident of that property. If you suspect that your sewer is blocked, it is recommend that you follow these steps below: 

  1. If you suspect that your sewer is blocked and your toilet is not flushing properly, use a plunger to see if you can free the blockage from the toilet.

  2. If that does not work, do a quick assessment of your home by inspecting any sinks or toilets that are not draining properly.

  3. If you suspect a sewer blockage after the quick assessment, stop using any water (flushing toilets, running taps, doing laundry etc.). Doing so may cause sewer back-up to flow into your home.

  4. If you suspect you have a sewer backup please contact the Town of Newmarket at 905.895.5193.  For after hours contact 905.895.5193 extension 3. You will need to provide all your information to the customer service agent who will, in turn, contact the Town's preferred contractor to attend your property.

    • Please note that before any work can be performed, a Sewer Safety Inspection must be done. A Sewer Safety Inspection will prevent the risk of a gas leak and/or explosion by making sure underground gas lines are not intersecting the sewer pipes outside your home.

    • The homeowner is required to call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 for a Sewer Safety Inspection. The Sewer Safety Inspection is provided at no cost to the homeowner. Once you have received clearance from Ontario One Call, you can contact your contractor to clear any sewer blockages.

  5. If you or your contractor suspect that the sewer blockage originated from Town property, you or the contractor is required to obtain the following evidence such as CCTV footage, location of the sewer blockage and type of blockage and provide it to the Town of Newmarket to launch an investigation. After the investigation, the Town will notify you of its outcome and decision. If the origin of the sewer blockage is proven to have been caused by the Town, you will be compensated for all costs incurred for clearing the sewer blockage. For more information on this process, please call 905-895-5193. 


Frequently Ask Questions

What are sewer laterals?
Sewer laterals are buried pipes that move sewage and waste from your home to the Town of Newmarket’s sewage collection pipe network.
Who is responsible for the maintenance of sewer laterals?
Sewer laterals that are leaving your home are the responsibility of the homeowner. Sewer laterals that are on Town property are the responsibility of the Town of Newmarket. If you find that your sewer lateral is blocked, it is your responsibility as the homeowner to undertake corrective measures to unblock the sewer lateral.
Does the Town of Newmarket provide sewer blockage services?
No, the Town of Newmarket does not provide sewer blockage services on private property. You can call the Town’s pre-selected contractor, J & S Services  or call your own private contractor, at your own risk. All cost incurred for this service is the responsibility of the homeowner, unless proven that the blockage was caused on Town property. Please note that the Town will only reimburse you if the pre-selected contractor was used in the sewer clearing services.
What is the Town's responsibility for sewer laterals?
The Town is responsible for the following on sewer laterals on Town property:
  • Removal of tree roots
  • Chemical treatments to prevent root infiltration
  • Repair, rehabilitation or replacement of sewer laterals
  • Replacement of sewer laterals as party of any Town of Newmarket road re-construction and sewer main line replacement program
Who is the Town's pre-selected contractor?
J & S Services was selected through a procurement bid and will be the Town’s pre-selected contractor that we provide to homeowners/residents for sewer blockage clearing services.

J & S Services.
905-954-1513
How much does it cost to have a sewer lateral unblocked?
Prices vary due to the type of blockage and how much of the sewer pipe is blocked. You can call the Town’s pre-selected contractor for a quote before proceeding with the service.
How do sewer laterals get blocked?
Sewers can get blocked by:
  • Pouring fats, oils and grease down the drains (sink) after cooking
  • Flushing items down the toilet such as baby wipes, diapers, sanitary products and more 
  • Tree roots growing into the pipes 
  • Structural issues such as breaks, cracks and collapse of the sewer laterals
How can I prevent my sewer laterals from getting blocked/clogged?
Do not pour fats, greases and oils down the drain and do not flush items other than toilet paper in the toilet.
Why is pouring/flushing fats, oils and grease and household items bad?
When fats, oils and grease and certain household items are poured and flushed down your sinks, drains or toilets, they can clog the pipes that take wastewater from your house to the treatment plant. If the pipes are clogged, it can cause untreated sewage to back-up and flood your basement, your neighbours basement and your community.
How should I dispose fats, oils and grease?
Grease, fats and oils go in green bin. Before washing pots, pans and dirty dishes, wait for fats oils and grease to harden. Wipe with a paper tower or scrape into the green bin. 

Grease, fats and oils include: 
  • Butter or margarine 
  • Shortening 
  • Lard 
  • Salad dressing 
  • Cooking oils (includes deep frying oils)
  • Sauces and gravies 
  • Meat fats 
  • Sour milk and cream 
  • Marinades 
  • Sandwich spreads 
Liquid cooking oils such as vegetable, canola, sunflower and olive oils that won’t solidify can be dropped off at one of York Region’s Waste Depots for recycling into biodiesel.
I am not sure how to dispose of particular items, what should I do?
If you aren’t sure how to dispose of items, download the My-Waste app for your mobile device from the apple or android app store or use the online My-Waste app at newmarket.ca/wasteandrecycling
If I pour fats, oils and grease that is diluted by hot water and soap, will that still clog my pipes?
Yes, fats, oils and grease will eventually separate from the hot water and soap and solidify when the temperature becomes cooler. As a result, your pipes can still be clogged.

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