The sanitary sewer

Wastewater is the dirty water from toilets and the soapy water from sinks, showers and laundry.

Pipes running throughout your home collect the wastewater, then it leaves your house through one pipe running beneath your home to the street. This pipe leads to the sanitary sewer system.

About the sanitary sewer system

The Region of Peel maintains the sanitary sewer system.

The sanitary sewer collects wastewater and sends it to a wastewater treatment facility. The facility treats the wastewater before it's returned to Lake Ontario.

Homeowners are responsible for some wastewater pipes

Homeowners are responsible for the pipes that collect wastewater in their homes. You can keep these pipes functioning properly by keeping them free of debris like hair and grease.

The section of pipe that runs beneath a home to the property line is also a homeowner's responsibility. If this pipe gets clogged, it's the homeowner must pay to have it cleared out.

These big clogs are commonly caused by:

• Objects flushed down a toilet.
• Grease poured down the kitchen sink.
• Tree roots.

If you think the pipe beneath your home is clogged or damaged, call the Region at 905-791-7800.

24-hour sanitary sewer backup services

Most backups happen when items like roots or grease block the sewer pipe that runs from your home to Peel Region’s main sanitary sewer pipe. This blockage can cause wastewater to back up into your basement from the floor drain.

Peel Region provides emergency help with a sewer backup to Peel households and businesses. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.