Occasionally, sanitary sewer pipes fail or become blocked, causing sewage to back-up through plumbing fixtures such as basement set tubs, toilets, etc. If you reside in an MDC member town and this situation occurs, you should FIRST CALL THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT ANYTIME, DAY OR NIGHT, at (860) 278-7850, extension 3600.

The MDC will immediately send someone out to investigate your problem. If we determine that your back­up is due to a blockage in the MDC's main sewer (the sewer in the street) our investigator will arrange for an MDC crew to relieve the blockage by cleaning and repairing the main sewer. Once the problem has been corrected, our crew will make all reasonable efforts to assist you in cleaning up your basement.

However, if our investigator finds that the blockage is not in the main sewer, he will inform you that the problem is in your house connection ­ the sewer line that runs from your house to the main sewer in the street. Since maintenance of the house connection line is your responsibility as a property owner, our investigator will advise you to hire a plumber or sewer rodder to clean your house connection.

Remember, it is important that you call The Metropolitan District first. By doing this you may save the unnecessary expense of hiring outside help if the trouble is in the main sewer. The MDC cannot reimburse a homeowner for costs incurred through the hiring of a plumber or sewer rodder regardless of where the blockage is found.