Frequently Asked Questions

Anything from grease build-up, heavy rains, broken or collapsed pipe, and tree roots that have grown through old pipes.

Please place a call to your district as they can tell you if it is a homeowner’s problem or one that can be fixed by the County. This would prevent a homeowner from incurring the cost of a plumber service call if the actual issue is with the public sewer system.

A step by step process that takes the pollution we all produce, wastewater, and recovers clean water that is safe to discharge into the environment. That is one reason wastewater treatment plants are also referred to as "water resource recovery facilities". These facilities are highly regulated and are critical to the protection of public health and water quality. This virtual tour details the typical processes used at many treatment plants.

Grease should be cooled to room temperature and placed in the garbage, if grease is poured down the drain it will harden and accumulate in the private lateral pipe and/or the public sewer system causing sewer back ups to you and your neighborhood. See more info at https://www3.erie.gov/dsm/fats-oils-grease-fog-program 

Most towns and villages have websites that tell you where and when to take your hazardous wastes. Also, Erie County conducts several hazardous waste drop-off events a year. Additional information can be found on the Department’s Environmental Compliance site.

Paint may also be dropped off at various locations. Visit https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/ for details.

All properties that are located within the sewer district boundary pay sewer tax. There is a multiple part benefit formula applied to try to be as fair as possible to all properties. The formulas very from district to district. Please also see www.erie.gov/ECSDSeptic