Chemung County Sewer Districts
Executive Director
Matthew P. Hourihan, P.E.
Treatment Facilities Chief Operator
Paul Nickel
Administrative Offices
600 Milton Street
Elmira, NY 14904
Phone: (607) 733-2887
Fax: (607) 732-1762
Milton Street Wastewater Treatment Facility
600 Milton Street
Elmira, New York 14904
Phone: (607)732-5115
Lake Rd. Wastewater Treatment Facility1700 Lake Rd.
Elmira, New York 14901
Phone: (607)733-1837
Sewer Maintenance/Collection Crew
Crew Leader - Dennis Kelly
Phone: (607)-737-6223
What to do if you have Sewer Problems
The Chemung County Sewer District Policy Regarding Property Owner's Sewer Trouble/Complaint Calls is as follows:
Any party in the Sewer District who has a sewer problem, such as a blockage or slow drainage, shall be responsible to first contact a local sewer plumber of their choice to investigate the problem. In other words, call a plumber first, not the Sewer District.
The property owner is responsible for all costs and repairs associated with the resolution of any problem that occurs on their privately owned sewers.
If the plumber determines that the trouble is in the municipal sewer system, which is maintained and operated by the District, then the plumber should contact the District’s maintenance personnel who will investigate and make a determination as to responsibility. If the determination is made by District personnel that the problem is indeed to be the responsibility of the District, the plumber costs for that complaint may be paid for by the District.
Property owners are also reminded that all subsurface drainage fixtures must be protected by a backflow preventer, check valve, or shut-off valve to prohibit sewerage backup into these fixtures. This is a requirement of the New York State Building Code and of the Chemung County Sewer Districts. The Sewer Districts, or their agents, are not responsible for backflow of sewerage from the sewers into subsurface drainage fixtures.
Click here for the complete policy.
Any questions regarding the policy may be directed to the Administrative Offices of the Chemung County Sewer Districts at (607) 733-2887.
Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Periodic Maintenance
Periodic maintenance is performed on both the sanitary sewer system and the storm sewer system. This maintenance is intended to ensure continued operation of the systems. Minor inconveniences may occur as a result of any maintenance on the sanitary sewer system. Flushing of the sewer mains during any scheduled and/or unscheduled maintenance may cause gurgling noises from the drains of any fixtures connected to the system. This is usually an indication of improper venting of the waste piping in the house or structure and in most cases is not a problem. However, while the Sewer District makes every effort to flush the sewer mains at the lowest possible pressures, improper venting combined with flushing can cause fixtures to be sucked out or blown back into the house or structure. This in effect opens up the traps on the fixture and can allow sewer gases and odors to enter. Should this occur, simply running water into the fixture will reestablish that barrier and allow for normal use to resume.
