Preventing Backups and Overflows

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Sewers are designed to dispose of very specific things. Using a toilet or kitchen drain for disposal of non-biodegradable products will often result in home or county sanitary sewer system blockages. Items labeled as “flushable” are included in items that contribute to blockages. The drain lines that connect your home to the county sanitary sewer in the street are only big enough to carry water, toilet paper and human waste. Keep trash out of the sewer system. Only flush human waste and toilet paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fats, Oils or Grease (FOG)
Medicines or other pharmaceuticals, including liquids (visit Health Department, Safe Disposal of Medicines.)
Wipes-baby, disinfectant and “flushable”
Rags, cloth or clothing
Sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms or non-organic material
Cotton swabs
Contact lens
Facial tissues, paper towels or napkins
Food-Try to limit your garbage disposal use and consider composting food waste
Diapers
Dental Floss
Hair

Human waste
Toilet paper
Household ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners and most bathroom cleaners can be flushed or poured down the drain. NEVER pour these products down storm drains.

Roots- Shrub and tree roots can make their way into open sewer joints or cracks. Over time, roots can cause your sewer line to break, which allows debris to accumulate and cause a backup. One way to prevent roots from entering your line is to replace your line with new plastic pipe. The other alternative is to be careful about planting trees and greenery around your sewer pipe. If you have continuing problems with tree roots in your lateral, you may have to have them cut periodically by a plumber. If you have a plumber clean roots out of your sewer lateral, please call the 24-hour Customer Communications Center (CCC), 703-323-1211 | TTY 711, so that we can also clean out the county sewer main line.
Installing unpermitted plumbing connections such as sump pumps, downspouts, French drains and other flood control systems to your sanitary sewer is illegal. The water can overload the sewer system causing it to overflow raw sewage into streams, streets or basements. Consult a plumber to correct any unpermitted connections. For questions regarding your home’s unpermitted connections, please call our front desk at (703) 324-5015.

Call the 24 hour a day Customer Communications Center at 703-323-1211, TTY 711. Personnel from the Wastewater Collection Division will inspect the County sewer. If the problem is in the County sewer, corrective action will be taken. A quick check with nearby neighbors will help you determine if the blockage is widespread or if it is limited to your home.

The resident or building owner is responsible for maintenance of the private sewer line which extends from the home/business to the County sewer, including the connection to the sewer. Therefore, he/she is responsible for any damages resulting from blockages in the private sewer line.

In the majority of cases, a special rider is needed to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy related to sewage backups or water damage. This optional coverage is available from your insurance provider. However, you must usually request it, as it is not automatically included in most policies.

If County personnel determine that the blockage occurred in the County sewer line, corrective action will be taken. The homeowner has the option of submitting a claim to Fairfax County’s Risk Management Division at (703)-324-3040. Risk Management handles all claims and determination if reimbursement is available for damaged property.

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Preventing Backups and Overflows

Frequently Asked Questions

What items should NOT be flushed or poured down the drain?

What can be flushed or poured down the drain?

How do I dispose of Hazardous waste?

What else can contribute to sewer backups or overflows?

What should I do if sewage begins to back up in my home?

Who is responsible if the blockage is located in a customer’s service line?

Will my insurance cover any damage resulting from sewage backups?

Who is responsible if the blockage occurs in a County sewer system?

Customers

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