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Sewer Services
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Sewer Service Area
The Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District service area is defined by the Spartanburg city limits and an adjacent service area covering approximately 196 square miles. The non-adjacent service areas consist of eight different geographical locations, serving approximately 22 square miles.
Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District
The Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District (SSSD) Commissioners govern the sewer system and are elected every four years.
Sanitary Sewer Overflows
Sanitary Sewer Overflows, or SSOs, may occur and cause wastewater to overflow.
Spartanburg Water has a well-trained and experienced team to monitor the 940 miles of sewer line within our wastewater collection system. These crews maintain the sewer lines to ensure the safe daily delivery of an average of 12 million gallons of wastewater to eleven area wastewater treatment facilities, where wastewater is treated to high water quality standards and released back into our waterways for use again.
If you see or suspect any type of spill from the sewer collection system, please contact Spartanburg Water at (864) 582-6375. This phone line is answered 24 hours a day.
Sewer Backflows
A blockage in your private plumbing system or in our sewer main in the street can cause a sewer back-up. If you experience wastewater backing up into drains or toilets in your home, contact or a plumber immediately.
Help prevent sewer clogs and backflows:
- Only flush approved materials down your toilet, or your sink drains. Flushing anything else, even wipes and other products labeled "flushable" can cause blockages.
- Don't pour grease down the drain. Grease builds up in pipes over time and can eventually lead to a complete blockage.
- Replace damaged sewer clean-out caps. These white plastic caps cover the access to your home's sewer service line. Make sure it's clearly marked and accessible, and replace it if it's damaged to prevent debris from entering your sewer line.
- Keep an eye on tree roots. Tree roots can cause damage to your private sewer line. In the event of a sewer backflow, Spartanburg Water’s primary objectives are to protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of the members of your household or business; identify the source of the problem; and see service restored as quickly as possible.
If you experience a sewer backflow at your home or business, you should immediately take any necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of the members of your household and to safeguard your property. We also suggest you begin documenting any expense incurred by you as a result of your sewer problem as this will greatly assist you in filing any claims for your damages, whether with Spartanburg Water or your own insurance provider.
To Flush or Not To Flush?
The Three P's (pee, poop and paper) are the only items that should ever be flushed.
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Personal Care, Cleaning and Miscellaneous Items
Here’s a list of a few items that should always be disposed of in a trash can, never down the toilet:
- Diapers and baby wipes, even those labeled "flushable"
- Tampons and sanitary pads, personal care wipes
- Cleaning/disinfecting wipes and disposable toilet brushes
- Paper towels
- "Disposable" contact lenses
- Cigarette butts
- Dental floss and toothpicks
- Cat litter or animal waste
- Toys, or anything made of plastic, including plastic coffee stirrers
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Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
Fats, oils, and grease harden as they go down the drain, causing sewer pipes to clog. This can lead to a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) where raw sewage backs up into your home, lawn, neighborhood, and streets. Grease is the number-one cause of sewer blockages in homes.
Fats, oils, and grease can come from:
- Meats
- Butters and margarine
- Lard
- Food scraps
- Sauces
- Salad dressings
- Dairy products
- Cooking oil
Allow fats, oils, and grease to harden in a can or carton, then dispose of it in the garbage.
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Medications
Did you know 70 percent of us take at least one prescription medication, with one in five Americans taking as many as five different medicines on a consistent bases? Nearly 40 percent of those prescriptions end up going unused. That amounts to 200 million pounds of stockpiled, unused and expired pills, syrups, and liquids.
To prevent introducing dangerous substances into our water system, never flush prescription or over the counter medications down a toilet or sink.
Spartanburg Water supports the Deterra drug disposal program to help our community properly dispose of medications.
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