Where Does Sewer Waste Go?

Being a homeowner means being responsible for monitoring the functionality of the sewer line from your home to the street. While it’s true that the pipe connecting your toilets to your public sewer line is easy to ignore,  any clogs or breaks in between these connections may possibly lead to costly sewer excavation and sewer replacement. 

What is a Street Sewer?

Carrying wastewater from your home’s sink, toilet and drains to the public sewer is the function of a street sewer. A lateral is a sewer pipe that connects your house to the main municipal sewer line under the street. 

Installing a lateral involves 5 basic steps that is based on the local code authority and must gain approval after one or more inspections: 

1. Determine how far the pipe needs to go and depth of each end of the pipe.  
2. The initial slope calculation results from the elevations and the length of the pipe.
3. To prevent soil disturbance, a narrow trench is recommended, but you need to have precise knowledge on where the pipe will terminate.
4. Installing a sewer pipe should be done one section at a time, starting at the lower end and working up to the higher elevation.
5. Backfilling the trench can only be done if the sewer lateral is completely installed and passes the final inspection.

How does street sewer work and where does it go?

Communities with more people living have a sewer system that collects wastewater and takes it to the wastewater treatment facility. Some sewer systems have grinder-pump or lift stations to move the wastewater up over a hill. When the water reaches the wastewater treatment plant, it undergoes 3 stages of treatment:

• Primary treatment
• Secondary treatment
• Tertiary Treatment

Once all the three stages are complete, and the treated waste passes the regulatory standards of each state, it is then released to a nearby water body to be used for agricultural purposes or drinking consumption. 

Looking for expert plumbers to help you with your sewer issues? Call The Pipe Doctor! 

Visit our blog to learn more about “Where does sewer waste go?”. 

The Pipe Doctor
Professional Sewer & Drain Company
Address: 12345 Lake City Way NE Ste 311, Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: (206) 676-2192
Email: thepipedr@gmail.com
Visit: https://thepipedr.com