Sanitary Sewer Prevention and Service Protocol

Dealing with Sewer Problems
Should you have any problem with your sewer lateral or with sewage spills on your property, during normal business hours,  (Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), you must first contact the Township Public Works Department at 215-887-1000, ext. 330 or ext. 331.  DO NOT CONTACT A PRIVATE PLUMBER BEFORE THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

A Supervisor and a sewer crew will be dispatched to determine the nature of the problem.

For sanitary sewer emergencies that occur after normal business hours, please contact the Cheltenham Police Department at 215 - 885-1600 ext. 460.  The Police Department will immediately contact the on-call Public Works Supervisor who will respond to your concerns.  DO NOT CONTACT A PRIVATE PLUMBER BEFORE THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

The Township will not be responsible or be liable for damages and/or losses that occurred due to the negligence or the  fault of another party

Cheltenham Township continues to be dedicated to improving the maintenance of our sanitary sewer system. The Public Works Department has a twenty-four hour, on-call crew dedicated to the repair or maintenance of the Township sewer system using state-of-the-art equipment.

 Property owners are responsible for cleaning their sewer lateral from their home to the Township “main” sewer lines.  As a resident of Cheltenham Township, your help is needed in assisting us to identify potential problems.

What to look for in identifying potential problems:

1.                  Recent service on your drainage system
2.                  A slow draining system or a gurgling drain
3.                  Unusual smells and odors
4.                  Water coming from a manhole

 Sewer back-ups occur infrequently, but can be very disruptive when they occur. To reduce the risk of having a sewer back-up:

 1.                  DO NOT flush diapers, paper towels or plastic products into the sewer system.

2.                  MINIMIZE the use of garbage disposals

3.                  DO NOT  dump cooking grease into drains.

4.                  DISCONNECT floor drains and sump pumps from the sewer line (such connections are illegal and may cause sewage to back up into the home).

 Should you have any problem with your sewer lateral or with sewage spills on your property, during normal business hours,  (Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), you must first contact the Township Public Works Department at 215-887-1000, ext. 330 or ext. 331.  DO NOT CONTACT A PRIVATE PLUMBER BEFORE THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. A Supervisor and a sewer crew will be dispatched to determine the nature of the problem. The Public Works Supervisor will notify the property owner of the source of the problem; and if the responsibility is that of the property owner or the Township. If it’s determined to be the responsibility of the Township:

(a)               the sewer line will be rodded and flushed

(b)               damage to property will be photographed

(c)               a clean-up crew will be dispatched

(d)               the property owner will be given instructions regarding the damaged articles

(e)               Township Insurance Adjustor will be notified (the Adjustor should make contact within 24 hours)

(f)                 the property owner, on the next business day must contact the Risk Management Coordinator, at 215-887-6200, ext. 115, and file a claim.

(g)               report the damage to your Home Owners Insurance Company.

 For sanitary sewer emergencies that occur after normal business hours, please contact the Cheltenham Police Department at 215 - 885-1600 ext. 460.  The Police Department will immediately contact the on-call Public Works Supervisor who will respond to your concerns.  DO NOT CONTACT A PRIVATE PLUMBER BEFORE THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

The Township will not be responsible or be liable for damages and/or losses that occurred due to the negligence or the  fault of another party