Sanitary Sewers

Sanitary sewers, or wastewater pipelines, transport wastewater from homes and businesses to a centralized treatment plant. Along the way, some extraneous water may enter pipelines either from stormwater or groundwater, a problem commonly known as infiltration and inflow (I/I). Once wastewater reaches the plant, it is treated and returned to the environment. Wastewater conveyance and treatment are important because they help to prevent waterborne illnesses and promote general sanitation. This fact sheet provides key insights into sanitary sewer design, overflows, sewer use ordinances, operation and maintenance, improvements, and more