As the city sewer lines are smoke tested, the crews will start handing out notices of damaged sewer lateral clean-out assemblies. This assembly is where the drainage system exits the building, then turns into the city sewer line.
The clean-out gives access to the private sewer line so that it is able to be cleaned.
Sewer laterals are the responsibility of the property owner and damaged clean-out assemblies can allow unwanted water and/or debris into the sewer system that can cause the sewer system to back up and overflow in private lines, as well as the city’s main sewer lines. Damaged clean-out assemblies are also a violation of the Sewer Use Ordinance.
As city crews find damaged clean-outs, they will mark them with green flags, place door hanger notices and notify the Code Enforcement Division. An employee of Code Enforcement will follow up in a few days to verify that repairs have been made or will be made.
Questions concerning repairs to private laterals can be directed to the City of Oak Ridge Plumbing Inspector Arnold Blackwell, who is with the Code Enforcement Division, at (865) 425-3583.
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