Water/Sewer Systems

Water/Sewer Systems

The City operates and maintains three public utility systems:

  • Water System: The City purchases water wholesale from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), which is then provided to residents through the City's water distribution system.
  • Sanitary Sewer System: Sanitary sewage is collected in the City's collection system and forwarded to GLWA's Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) for treatment. The WRRF is the largest single-site wastewater treatment facility in the United States.
  • Storm Sewer System: A separate system from the sanitary sewer, storm sewer flow is directed to the Patterson Park Pump Station which is ultimately discharged to Lake St. Clair.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Public Works Department at 313-822-5100 between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

Water/Sewer Emergencies

Property Owner Responsibilities

Water Service Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for the pipes that connect your home or business to the public water and sewer systems. This includes inspection, maintenance, repair and/or replacement if necessary.
  • You are responsible for water service lines from the shut off, which are typically located near the sidewalk or right of way. The City is responsible for water mains and the services from the main to the shut off.
  • If there is a leak on your side of a water service, you are responsible for the repair and should contact a licensed plumber. A permit from the City is required for replacement or repair of the water service.
  • We strongly encourage you to check your insurance coverage for water damage caused by a service leak or internal plumbing. The City is not responsible for private water service lines or damage caused to property by failed private water lines.

Sanitary Sewer Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for sanitary sewer lines from your home/structure to, and including, the connection to the City sanitary sewer main.
  • If your sewer lateral fails under the street, you are responsible for the lateral’s repair and restoration of any infrastructure damage, such as sidewalks, curbs/gutters and the street.
  • Do not presume that your sewer lateral is in good condition just because wastewater flows down drains. Grosse Pointe Park has many homes with old sewer laterals made of materials like clay, which can crack, break and leak easily. Due to this, it’s important to plan ahead and have your laterals regularly inspected by a licensed plumber and repaired by a licensed contractor.
  • Sewer Backup Language here.
  • We strongly encourage you to check your sewer backup coverage with your insurance company.

Protect Your Home Against Sanitary Sewer Backups

Take the following actions to protect against sanitary sewer backups:

  • Plan preventative maintenance ahead — don’t wait until your lateral fails. There are several methods to rehabilitate sewer laterals at a lower cost (cured in place pipe, using PVC pipe sleaving or pipe bursting and pulling HDPE pipe through the lateral). Contact a licensed contractor to explore your options. A permit is required for any lateral work.
  • Install a sanitary sewer backflow prevention device in your sanitary sewer lateral. Note, homes with footing drains connected to your sanitary sewer lateral will need to be disconnected prior to installing a sanitary backflow device.
  • Place a plug in your basement floor drain when it is not in use.
  • If your drain is used regularly, such as for a washing machine, consider installing a standpipe.
  • Regularly inspect your sanitary sewer lateral and maintain as needed.

Help Prevent Sanitary Sewer Backups!

Sewage is used water and waste discharged by residents and businesses. It is collected from the drains of sinks, showers, toilets and flows into the sanitary sewer collection system. The collection system then transports sewage to the GLWA's WRRF.

Sewers back up when sewage collection lines get clogged by items flushed down toilets and drains, that should not be flushed, especially Fats, Rags, Oil and Grease (FROG) that get caught and can plug up lines. In addition to the costly repairs, sewer back-ups are messy, foul-smelling and pose a serious public health threat.

FROG disposed of down the toilet or drain can clog sewer collection systems, damage pumps in lift stations and damage sewer treatments facilities, which leads to sewage spills. These items also can contaminate the treated water that is discharged into the rivers, streams and groundwater.

Never flush the following items down the toilet or drain:

  • Disposable diapers and baby wipes, facial wipes, rags, cleaning or polishing wipes, kitty litter, paper towels, wipes (even ones that are labeled as flushable-they will flush but won't break down and cause backups) and hygiene products.
  • Cooking oil and grease, bacon grease, meat fats, food scraps, shortening, lard, butter, margarine, gravy and other food products such as mayonnaise, salad dressings and sour cream.
  • Acidic or toxic substances, including paint and paint thinners.
  • Motor oil.
  • Dye (hair and clothing) and tanning solutions.
  • Flammable products, such as lighter fluid and acetone.
  • Any solid waste that does not naturally break down, including garbage, plastic bags, hygiene products, flushable wipe (they flush-but do not break down and cause backups) 

When fats, oil or grease are poured down kitchen drains or flushed down toilets, it accumulates inside sewer pipes. As the material builds up, it restricts the flow in the pipes and can cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses, resulting in high cleanup and repair costs for residents, business owners and the City.

Proper Disposal Tips

Please do the following:

  • Throw diapers, baby wipes, hygiene products, rags, cleaning wipes and paper towels in the trash.
  • Freeze small amounts of fats, oils and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid and dispose of in trash.
  • Large amounts of cooking oil and grease need to be properly disposed of by utilizing grease traps and associated maintenance services (typically restaurant businesses).
  • Use a strainer in your sink to catch scraps.
  • Cover drains with fine screen or catch basket.