Can I connect my sump pump to the sewer line?
NO. It is illegal to connect your sump pump to the public sewer line. Please see the article on sump pumps under our wastewater pull down menu.
Who is responsible for maintaining my house sewer line?
It is the homeowners responsibility from inside the house to the main transmission line.
Is it safe to dispose of kitchen grease down sink drains?
NO. Disposing of kitchen grease into the municipal sewer is not allowed. Please discard grease by pouring into used cans or containers and place in general garbage.
What can cause sewer backups?
Solid items blocking the drain:
The most common cause of sewer backup is solid items accidentally or intentionally flushed down the toilet or forced down a kitchen sink. These can include clumps of hair, kitchen grease, or paper products like sanitary napkins or paper towels.
How do you deal with this?
Don’t put any solids down the toilet or sink that are not supposed to be there. As a general rule, the only paper product you should flush down the toilet is toilet paper. Never pour grease into the sink. Grease can cling to the inside of your pipes and cause backup over time. Instead, allow it to congeal first and then scrape it into a trash can
Tree Root Obstructions:
Overgrown tree roots can wreak havoc on your pipes. Roots can grow through pipes, blocking water and debris as the tree grows. They can also crack or break pipes that come in contact with them.
How do you deal with this risk?
If you have an old or large tree on your property, you may need to schedule regular checks with a plumber to determine if roots are infiltrating your pipes. Before you landscape your yard, we suggest doing research on what types of trees are the most likely to cause invasive root problems. Plant trees at least 10 feet from your sewer lines in order to minimize the risk of root obstruction.
While these simple techniques can minimize your risk of sewer backup, many of the causes of blockages are out of your hands. Some blockages can originate in the city sewer lines, while others are the result of storms inundating the sewer.
Can I pay my sewer & stormwater bill online?
Yes you may pay your water, sewer and stormwater bills online via the link below via this BILL PAY LINK (there is a service fee associated with this payment option)or you may contact the Bradford Wather Authority at 814/362-3004 to set up an authomatic withdrawal from your checking account at no additional cost.
Why do we need to manage stormwater and polluted runoff?
Managing our stormwater aims to improve the quality and reduce the volume of stormwater. Unlike sanitary sewer water, stormwater does not receive any treatment before it enters our waterways, thus delivering pollutants with it that it picks up along the way. This adversely affects wildlife, human health and safety. In addition, water that falls on hard surfaces and doesn't infiltrate into the ground runs off to lower areas, with excess runoff potentially causing local flooding and stream bank erosion.
What causes stormwater runoff pollution?
Every day activities we do around our businesses, homes, and yards can impact the quality of our stormwater. Some common examples include over fertilizing our yards or fertilizing before a heavy rain, not picking up pet waste, and excessive use of pesticides. Oil drips from vehicles, litter, yard debris, and sediment are other examples of common stormwater pollutants.
What is polluted stormwater runoff?
When stormwater flows over surfaces, it picks up and carries pollutants on those surfaces becoming polluted. Common stormwater pollutants include oil, sediment, pesticides, fertilizers, litter, yard waste, and pet waste.
What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff is water from rain or melting snow that “runs off” across the land instead of seeping into the ground. This runoff usually flows into the nearest stream, creek, river, lake or ocean. The runoff is not treated in any way