Sewer Emergency Information
 
Call Day or Night
Sewer Emergencies
Business Hours: (510) 222-6700 (M-F, 8 am-12 pm & 1 pm-5 pm)
Non-business Hours: (510) 222-6799 (all other hours including holidays)
     
West County Wastewater District customers who have a sewer backup should call the District as indicated above. District staff usually arrives within one hour.

When a sewer backup or other problem occurs, in many cases it is not obvious whether the problem is in the sewer lateral or the public main. The District staff will come out to inspect the public sewer main free of charge. If a problem is found in the public main, it will be corrected as soon as possible. If no problem is found in the public main, the property owner will be informed that the problem is probably in the sewer lateral. In this case, the property owner is responsible for correcting the problem. (For more information about public main vs. lateral, click here)

If the problem is found to be the sewer lateral, the customer will be advised to have the problem taken care of as soon as possible by a licensed plumber. The District also assists in identifying lateral problems through the use of a lateral TV camera at no charge. Customers should contact the District for details.

The District's Collection System Operations staff routinely maintains our public sewer mains to keep them flowing freely. We televise-inspect and clean the lines on a scheduled basis. But did you know that there are some things that you too can do to maintain your sewer laterals?
DO:
  1. Ask a plumber about preventative maintenance on problem sewer laterals.
  2. Call the District if you have any questions about your sewer line.
  3. Obtain a permit from the District if you need to make a sewer lateral repair. If a plumber will be making the repair, he/she should obtain the permit.
  4. Use only a licensed contractor to make necessary repairs.
  5. Install a backflow preventer device on your sewer lateral to prevent flooding in your building.
  6. Recycle oil, paint, and other toxic materials at a recycling center.
  7. Remember that storm lines, streets, sidewalks, and trees in public rights-of-way are maintained by cities/counties.
DO NOT:
  1. Put grease or egg shells down drains or in garbage disposals.
  2. Plant a tree near a sewer line. Roots can be problematic.
  3. Dig without calling Underground Service Alert (1-800-642-2444).
  4. Proceed automatically with an expensive repair. Always get a second opinion.
  5. Use an unlicensed, unknown contractor to make repairs.
  6. Forget to locate cleanout in front of building, prior to having a stoppage.
  7. Pour anything toxic down the sewer or storm drain.
  8. Open a manhole for any reason. The District will do this, if needed.