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1. What if I have sewer odor in my house?

The most likely cause for odor issues include:

• A failed wax ring under the toilet
  
• A dry trap under the sink or tub or
  
• There may be a broken pipe in a wall or under the home.

Run fresh water in all sinks to fill traps inside the house. Be sure to investigate any floor drains that may have not been used in which the trap has dried up. Be sure to check the toilet and make sure it is firmly attached to the floor. The wax ring round the toilet may be compromised. If this does not work, call the Division of Wastewater at (937) 645-7344. A City employee will check to see if any issues are involved with the City sewer. If no problems with the City sewer are detected, the homeowner should call a plumber. It is our recommendation that any odor issues should be remedied immediately as sewer gas may be harmful.

2. Who do I call after hours for a sewer back-up?

If you have a sewer back-up in the evening, on the weekend or on a holiday, please call (937) 645-7344.

3. How can I prevent wastewater from backing into my home?

A backwater valve can be installed in existing homes and is required under certain instances in newly built homes. Please refer to the section on Backwater Valves to determine if this device may help your problem.

4. Who do I call if my sewer line is plugged or running slow?

Sometimes it is difficult to determine if a sanitary sewer backup is caused by a blockage on the City public sewer main (typically at the street) or the homeowner’s private sanitary lateral (the pipe connecting the house to the City main). If you are not sure, please contact the Wastewater Collection Unit at (937) 645-7344 to help determine the cause of the problem. There is no charge for this service.

The City will correct any problems in the City main. The homeowner is responsible for any blockages in the private sanitary lateral.

5. Who do I contact if a manhole is overflowing?

If you see a manhole overflowing, please call (937) 645-7344. This number is staffed seven (7) days a week and 24 hours per day.

6. Why is there a manhole in my yard?

The manhole in your yard is an access point for the sanitary sewer and cannot be moved. The manhole is located within the public right-of-way or in a permanent easement and cannot be covered or hidden. This sewer access must be available to City personnel for maintenance purposes.

7. Where does the sanitary sewer (wastewater) go?

The City of Marysville operates the Marysville Water Reclamation Facility on Beecher Gamble Road. Wastewater from the City and other parts of Union County is treated at the facility under a permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and discharged into Mill Creek.

8. Are tours of the Water Reclamation Facility available?

Tours for interested groups or individuals can be scheduled by contacting the Marysville Water Reclamation Facility at (937) 645-7344.

9. Is there anything I can do to help?

Placing the following substances within your plumbing drains can be difficult for our treatment plant to remove and may limit its treatment ability resulting in potential damage to the environment:

• Bug killer, paint thinner and other chemicals
  
• Do not pour any motor oil or like substances down the drain

The following can potentially cause backups into your home:

• Cooking grease being poured down the drain
  
• Any item that could lodge in the drain pipe or sewer should not be placed in the drain
  
• Therefore, it is not recommended to plant trees over your private sanitary lateral connection to the sewer main. Tree roots can enter the sanitary sewer lateral and block this sewer
  
• Per Ohio EPA standards, downspouts, sump pumps or other devices may not be connected to the sanitary sewer

A backwater valve may be installed if you experience backups into your home. This backwater valve will prevent wastewater from the main from entering your private service lateral.

10. I am building a new structure. How can I determine my System Capacity Charges (Tap Fee)?

Sewer Capacity Fees shall be assessed for sanitary service based on the water meter sizes as stated in City Ordinance 925.02.