The Sewer Utilities Division is responsible for the collection of wastewater and its conveyance to a treatment facility. It collects and treats all sanitary sewer flows. Employees in this division maintain the City's sewer mains and lift stations.

Sewer Service Problems

Sewer service related problems within the customer's home / business or between the customer’s home / business and the sewer main (including the connection to the sewer main) are the customer's responsibility. If you believe there is a problem with the sewer main in your area, please contact us at 816-228-0195 during business hours.

For emergencies after hours, please call the Police Department non-emergency number at 816-228-0150, and Police dispatch will contact the appropriate call out crew.

If a sanitary sewer back-up occurs in your home or on your property, you should follow these guidelines to handle the emergency.

1. Contact the City

Contact the City of Blue Springs Public Utilities Division
  • Monday through Friday - Call 816-228-0195 between 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • After business hours - Call the police non-emergency number at 816-228-0150
A crew will respond to address the situation. If water does not recede after city crews clean the city sanitary sewer line, you should contact a professional plumber to have your home's service line cleared.

2. Immediate Cleanup Procedures

  • Use caution when conducting the clean-up
    • Use rubber gloves and rubber boots
    • You are dealing with sewage, and serious health complications are possible
  • Use caution when using any electrical appliance in a wet environment
    • Do not attempt to shut off electricity if the breaker box is wet or near any water
  • Remove standing water
  • Air out the room
    • Drying wet areas is helped by encouraging air circulation by opening windows and using fans
  • Clean carpets
    • Rug damage can be minimized through carpet cleaning firms or rented cleaning equipment
Please note: Insurance liability restrictions prevent city crews from assisting in the clean-up of private residences and furnishings.

3. Insurance Claims

In most cases, the city's insurance will not reimburse homeowners for damages. There must be evidence that the City of Blue Springs has been negligent for an insurance claim to be honored. Records should be kept for homeowner insurance claims. Good records include photographs, videotapes, receipts, and itemized descriptions of damages.

If you do choose to register a claim with the city, it may be filed with the Human Resources Department at 816-228-0190.

4. Preventing Future Back-Ups

Sewer blockages generally occur as a result of improper items entering the sewer line. Sanitary sewers are designed to handle human waste. They were not designed to handle anything else, and the city is not responsible for foreign items entering the system.

The backup of sewage through the drains in your home or business is an unpleasant experience. Documentation has shown the majority of sewer back ups are related to the private service lines serving the property. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your property.

Do

  • Locate and keep accessible the sewer clean out. If you do not have a clean out, have one installed by a plumber. The clean out is the property owner’s responsibility.
  • Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are not covered for back-ups, call your agent for information on costs and coverage options. If you experience a back-up, save all receipts related to any repair, cleaning, or damages.

Don't

  • Put flushable wipes, diapers or sanitary napkins in the toilet
  • Dispose of grease down the drain
  • Plant trees near sewer lines
  • Connect any drains or sump pumps to the sewer system

Odors Inside Houses or Buildings

Sewage odor or gas is always present in the sewer system and cannot be eliminated. This is why there are provisions in the uniform plumbing code to ensure that vent pipes and traps are installed to the house plumbing systems. Vent pipes on the roof tops allow the sewer system to breath. Traps are installed to retain a small amount of water which acts as a seal to prevent sewer gasses from entering the home.

Common Causes

If sewer odor is detected you should look for these common causes:

  • Caps on floor traps and clean outs are not properly installed
  • Infrequently used drains no longer have water in the trap
  • Clean out plugs are removed from the inside of floor drains
  • Cracked or separated vent pipes in the interior of the structure will allow sewer gas into your house
  • Visually check for one of these conditions and correct if needed (if odor problems continue, have your plumber check out the entire house system for any drain system air leaks)

Additional Information

If you have additional questions please call the City Utilities Sanitary Sewer Division at 816-228-0195 for further assistance.