Is your home safe from a Do you have questions? PROTECTING YOUR possible sewer back up? The City of Twin Falls Public Works HOME FROM SEWER Department is happy to assist you. Many homes naturally prevent sewage backups BACKWATER DANGER due to their plumbing design or location. One key The City of Twin Falls Public Works Department to prevent sewage backups from entering your may be reached at 208-736-2275 or via email at Know how to prevent a sewer backwater disaster home is to know your location in relation to the publicworks@tfid.org. You can also visit our sanitary sewer system that serves your home. Public Works Department, which is located at Homes with drains located below the elevation of 119 South Park Ave. West, Twin Falls, ID 83301. manholes on nearby streets may be in danger from sewage backups. In this situation, a For billing questions, please contact the Utility backwater valve can offer tremendous benefits. Billing Department at 208-735-7250 or via email A backwater valve is a plumbing component at utilitybilling@tfid.org. You can also visit the used to prevent sewage from backing up into a Utility Billing Department at City Hall, which is home. A backwater valve contains an automated located at 321 Second Ave. East, Twin Falls, ID gate that senses a reverse flow in the pipe and 83301. completely closes the line. For more information about backwater The Idaho Pluming Code currently requires that prevention, or for more information from the when a fixture is installed on a floor level that is City of Twin Falls, go to www.tfid.org lower than the next upstream manhole cover of You can also find more information from the City the sewer collection line, that fixture must be of Twin Falls online or on your tablet and mobile ! protected from backflow of sewage by installing devices. a backwater valve.

Do you need an inspection?

The City of Twin Falls Building Department offers an inspection program, where homeowners may request the City’s Plumbing Inspector evaluate their home’s existing backwater valve to ensure it is working properly, as well as to determine if one is needed. Please contact the Building Department for more information or to schedule an appointment. OTHER CAUSES OF THREE COMMON SCENARIOS SEWER BACKUP: HOMES LOCATED BELOW HOMES WITH BASEMENTS HOMES LOCATED AT AN • When fat, oil and grease is discharged into a sewer system they will solidify, build up, and plug THE ELEVATION OF THE LOCATED BELOW THE ELEVATION HIGHER THAN drain lines in your home. They can also plug UPSTREAM MANHOLE UPSTREAM MANHOLE THE UPSTREAM MANHOLE sewer lines owned by the City, thus increasing Any drain opening would be Drains located on the first floor Should not need a backwater maintenance costs. Plugged sewers can also cause flooding of nearby homes and businesses. located below the level of the might be safe as it is higher than valve because water would drain first upstream sewer manhole the first upstream manhole cover. from the first upstream sanitary • Solids that are typically washed down drains can cover. Therefore, this home Any drain fixture in the basement sewer manhole, which is lower build up in the sewer lines and cause backups. should have a backwater valve would be below the level of the than the inlet to the drain pipe in Some examples of these solids are dirt, hair, installed. Homeowners should first upstream manhole, and this home. This home should bones, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, also be sure to check the sewage backups could occur not experience a flood due to a paper towels, kitty litter, broken dishware, backwater device regularly. without a backwater valve. sewer backup. garbage, and concrete.

• Small foreign objects can be flushed down toilets or drop down drain holes. These objects can become stuck at a bend in the sewer line. Sewer waste then will stick to the objects, KNOW YOUR ELEVATION causing backups. Some actual examples of foreign objects found in our sewer lines are toys, balls, scrap wood, cell phones, keys, Home Located clothing, diapers, and rocks. Flow and elevation of upstream manhole Higher Than Upstream • Tree roots can cause backups. Roots can Home With infiltrate the pipe systems and block the Basement Below Manhole wastewater flow. Upstream Manhole

• During certain wet weather conditions, sanitary Home Located sewers can become overloaded with Backwater Valve Below Upstream groundwater or storm water runoff so they NOT REQUIRED Manhole Manhole become overloaded, resulting in backups or Backwater Valve slow running services. REQUIRED FOR • BASEMENT Significant sags, bellies in the line, cracks, Backwater Valve holes, protruding laterals, misaligned pipe, offset and open joints and collapsing pipe REQUIRED material are also possible causes of backups.