Sanitary Sewer
Your home connects to the Village sanitary sewer system via a pipe called a service line. The homeowner owns and maintains the service line up to and including the point of connection with the Village system. If you ever have a problem with a sewer backup, please contact us before you contact a plumber. We are happy to help diagnose the problem, even nights and weekends.
Once the Village system collects the sewage, it flows to either Lake County Public Works (Lake County) or the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (Cook County) for treatment.
Sanitary Service Ownership:
Once the Village system collects the sewage, it flows to either Lake County Public Works (Lake County) or the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (Cook County) for treatment.
Sanitary Service Ownership:
You have questions, we have answers
Did you know that Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) can clog pipes!
Excessive disposal of common household products down household sinks, dishwashers, and disposals can cause your plumbing and the Village’s pipes major issues.
Avoid flushing or dumping these items down the drain:
- Baking goods
- Butter, lard, shortening
- Cooking oil
- Fats and oil from cooked meats
- Food scraps
- Gravy
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressings
- Sauces
- Sour cream
Options for Disposal:
Room temperature products can be scraped into sealable containers (like used juice containers) for disposal in your trash, and many cooking oils can be strained and reused. There’s also plenty of hacks and suggestions available to you with a little bit of internet searching. Here’s some suggestions:
FOGs Explained
How to Dispose of Cooking Grease
MWRD-Healthy Pipes
We hear questions about whether tree roots cause damage to sewer lines. The short answer is no, tree roots do not have any way to break into a sewer pipe. But, if a break, crack, or other issue with the pipe has occurred, trees will seek out the new source of water and nutrients and grow roots in that direction.
If tree roots are a problem, flush a 99.9% copper sulfate solution can into the service line to keep the root growth in check. The solution will not harm the tree and will extend the period until the service line has to be root cut.
The Public Works Department will not cut down a tree because roots are in a service line. The Department does not root cut or televise private sanitary lines.
If tree roots are a problem, flush a 99.9% copper sulfate solution can into the service line to keep the root growth in check. The solution will not harm the tree and will extend the period until the service line has to be root cut.
The Public Works Department will not cut down a tree because roots are in a service line. The Department does not root cut or televise private sanitary lines.
Like televising, routine inspection of sewers is necessary to ensure they continue to operate properly. Smoke testing is one method of sewer inspections used to identify deficiencies in the sewer system. Typically, smoke testing is looking to pinpoint locations of I&I (Inflow and Infiltration) which is basically additional water that does not belong in the sewer system and can cause treatment facilities to become overwhelmed.
Sanitary smoke testing involves the use of non-toxic smoke in a specific service area. The smoke is put under low pressure to move it through the pipes; this includes service pipes which connect the street sewer to homes.
The smoke is NONTOXIC, HARMLESS, AND CREATES NO FIRE HAZARD.
The smoke should not enter your home or business unless you have defective plumbing or dry drain traps. If you have seldom used drains, please pour water in the drain to fill the trap. This should prevent smoke from entering. Drain traps should always be filled
with water to prevent sewer gases and odors from entering the building. If smoke does enter your home or business, the potential also exists for sewer gases to enter, and you should consult a licensed plumber to address the problem.
In 2023, the Village contracted with Duke's Root Control, Inc. to perform smoke testing of specific areas. Duke's has an excellent Q&A page as well as videos of what you can expect: Duke's Smoke Testing.
Want to learn more about;
- Lake County Sanitary Sewer fees collected by the Village of Buffalo Grove? Click Here
- Lake County Sanitary Sewer Summer Credit? Click Here
The service line from your home to the sewer main may become obstructed due many reasons. Likewise, the Village main line can become obstructed as well. Both of these reasons will cause a backup in your home.
If you experience a sewer backup, notify Public Works immediately. You can call us at 847-459-2545 during normal business hours. Or, after normal business hours, call the Police Department non-emergency number at 847-459-2560. Public Works staff will inspect the Village sewer main. Staff will determine if the blockage exists in the Village sewer main or within your service line.
If the blockage is in your service connection, it is your responsibility to have the blockage cleared. Any licensed, bonded, and insured plumber can rod the service line to clear the block.
Remember, first call the Public Works Department before calling the plumber.
If you experience a sewer backup, notify Public Works immediately. You can call us at 847-459-2545 during normal business hours. Or, after normal business hours, call the Police Department non-emergency number at 847-459-2560. Public Works staff will inspect the Village sewer main. Staff will determine if the blockage exists in the Village sewer main or within your service line.
If the blockage is in your service connection, it is your responsibility to have the blockage cleared. Any licensed, bonded, and insured plumber can rod the service line to clear the block.
Remember, first call the Public Works Department before calling the plumber.
The sanitary sewer service line is a pipe that transports wastewater from your home to the village sanitary sewer main. It is the homeowner's responsibility for the maintenance and repair of this line. This includes the connection.
Residents may experience a sanitary sewer backup during periods of heavy rainfall. Often, the issue is illegal sump pump connection to the sanitary sewer sevice.
Sump pumps for stormwater and groundwater removal should not connect to the sanitary service line. The village requests the disconnection of sump pump discharge connected to the sanitary sewer service. Please direct the sump pump to a Village storm sewer or to your lawn. Make sure to not extend more than 10 ft from your home or point the discharge towards another property.
Stopping rain water from entering the sanitary sewer is the key. It allows adequate sewer service to Buffalo Grove users. It also meets the requirements of the Greater Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Lake County Public Works.
Removal of this source of extra water has proven to reduce sanitary sewer backups.
To make sure that your pump connections follow village ordinances, please call 847-459-2545 to schedule an inspection.
Sump pumps for stormwater and groundwater removal should not connect to the sanitary service line. The village requests the disconnection of sump pump discharge connected to the sanitary sewer service. Please direct the sump pump to a Village storm sewer or to your lawn. Make sure to not extend more than 10 ft from your home or point the discharge towards another property.
Stopping rain water from entering the sanitary sewer is the key. It allows adequate sewer service to Buffalo Grove users. It also meets the requirements of the Greater Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Lake County Public Works.
Removal of this source of extra water has proven to reduce sanitary sewer backups.
To make sure that your pump connections follow village ordinances, please call 847-459-2545 to schedule an inspection.