City of Puyallup

About Us

The Collections Division maintains and repairs all wastewater and storm water piping, structures and related facilities. Division employees provide an important public health service with the regular cleaning and video inspection of sanitary sewer lines. The division also investigates and monitors water quality in the watershed and regulates Industrial discharges. Their work is equally important in storm water, reducing nuisance flooding by regular maintenance. They are prepared and offer critical emergency assistance during larger flood events. In addition to routine cleaning of wastewater and storm water collection systems, significant repair and replacement of sewer and stormwater utilities are accomplished annually.

Click here for Information on Taking Care of Your Sewer!

Systems

The wastewater and stormwater collection systems are composed of approximately:

• 190 miles of pipe
• 6,500 man holes
• 10,000 lateral connections
• 15,000 acres of drainage
• 32 detention ponds

Frequently Asked Sewer Questions

What should I do when my sewer becomes plugged?
Call the Public Works Department; they will dispatch a crew to determine if the problem is in the City 's pipes or on your property.

My tub (or sink) is draining slowly, is my sewer plugged?
If only one fixture is draining slowly, the problem is usually with the plumbing in the house. If all of your drains are draining slowly the problem may be in the house lateral connection to the sewer main or the main itself. If you suspect this is the problem, call the Public Works Department, and a crew will be dispatched to investigate the problem and clean the sewer line if necessary. It's important to remember that the City's responsibility ends at your property line.

Where does the wastewater go?
Everything that goes down your toilet (or drain) goes to the City of Puyallup's Treatment Plant. The wastewater is treated and then discharged into the Puyallup River.

Ongoing Functions/Goals

• Continued closed circuit video inspection, and inventory assessments of the wastewater and storm water collection systems piping, structures, and facilities
• Reducing the number of blockages per mile of pipe with scheduled maintenance, "spot" repairs, and a comprehensive capital plan for replacement
• Alleviating localized storm water flooding with "small" scaled improvements and capital construction for enhancement and replacement
• Continued water quality monitoring, programs, and regulations; Providing source control investigation and enforcement.