Here's a list of frequently asked questions. If you have a specific question you need answered that is not in this list please contact us.
Sewage is backing up into my house/building through overflowing toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwasher, and/or washing machines. What should I do?
Sewage is overflowing from a cleanout onto the ground, driveway, street, etc.
I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?
How can I avoid damage to other utilities? Underground Service Alert (USA)
A contractor or utility broke my side sewer or sewer main. What should I do?
What is NSD's service responsibility?
What is the property owner's responsibility?
Is there information available on the history or cleaning frequency of a sewer line?
There is a manhole cover in my neighborhood that rattles and continues to irritate me every time a vehicle rolls over it. What can I do about it?
What can I do about terrible sewer odors?
I paid a plumber to repair my side sewer. It turns out the problem was occurring in the public sewer. Can I be reimbursed for my plumber bill?
How do I find out where the problem is?
How do I proceed with a sewer lateral problem?
What permits are required for repairs in a street?
How can I get a cleanout installed?
Who is responsible for sanitary sewer repair?
Sewage is backing up into my house/building through overflowing toilets, sinks, bathtubs, dishwasher, and/or washing machines. What should I do?
If these problems occur and you are not using your household water outlets, there may be a problem in the public sewer main. Call (707) 258-6000 to request emergency service.
If overflow is constant, the homeowner should remove the cap on the cleanout or overflow device (if present) located near the property line. The homeowner can use towels, sheets, rags, etc. to keep the sewage from spreading and damaging other parts of the house.
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Sewage is overflowing from a cleanout onto the ground, driveway, street, etc.
Overflow devices (cleanouts) are usually located at the property line (approximately 10 to 12 feet from the curb) near the building. There is a 4-inch (plug) cap on top of the vertical pipe that should be left on loosely. The purpose of the cleanout is to allow sewage from a plugged sewer to overflow outside instead of in the building as well as provide access for cleaning.
Manhole structures are usually located in the middle of the street and also provide access for cleaning and pipe inspection. NSD manhole structures are marked with "NSD" or "Sanitary Sewer" on top. Storm drains carry rainwater only and are usually under curb openings in the gutter. They are usually covered with a grate or slotted piece of metal. Some solid round covers are marked with "S" or "Storm Drain." Your City of Napa Department of Public Works is responsible for problems with storm drains.
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I have slow drainage through my toilets, showers, and sinks. What can I do about it?
The first thing to do is contact NSD at (707) 258-6000. An NSD crewmember will determine if the problem is the responsibility of NSD or the property owner. If after NSD crews have responded to the problem and the problem is on private property, you may need to make repairs yourself or call a plumbing company (yellow pages of phone book).
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 How can I avoid damage to other utilities? Underground Service Alert (USA)
When digging to make sewer repairs, it is important to know where other utilities are located so that damage can be avoided. NSD belongs to a locating service called USA. Whenever a call is made to USA at 1-800-227-2600, NSD is notified and will come out, free of charge, to mark the location of our utility lines. NSD locates an average of 150 underground services a month.
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A contractor or utility broke my side sewer or sewer main. What should I do?
The District repairs broken side sewer connections to mains and sewer mains that are broken by private contractors or utilities (PG&E, plumbers, etc). The contractor or utility is responsible for notifying the District immediately. Residents should call: (707) 258-6000. You should be prepared to provide the address or location, pipe size, length of broken pipe, and pipe material so that the dispatched crew will have the proper supplies to repair the pipe.
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What is Napa Sanitation District's service responsibility?
The District maintains all sewer main lines up to and including the lower lateral located at the business and homeowner property line. In areas where NSD had slip-lined laterals, NSD will maintain the upper lateral as well. NSD is also responsible for the public sewer mains located in the middle of the streets and in easements.
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What is the property owner's responsibility?
The property owner is responsible for the upper lateral of the side sewer from the house or building to the property line. A cleanout is usually installed at the property line, which indicates the connection point between the upper and lower lateral. In areas where NSD had slip-lined laterals, NSD will maintain the upper lateral as well. A cleanout will normally be located near the foundation of the building.
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Is there information available on the history or cleaning frequency of a sewer line?
The District has a Sewer Maintenance Scheduling System and can provide historical information to Realtors on sewer lines serving homes and businesses.
The Sewer Maintenance Scheduling System can provide residents with information about the last time a particular sewer line was cleaned and the frequency of the cleaning schedule.
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There is a manhole cover in my neighborhood that rattles and continues to irritate me every time a vehicle rolls over it. What can I do about it?
NSD has two main types of sewer structures:
1) a manhole that varies in size from 25" to 42" in diameter
2) a rodding inlet, which is round or oval and ranges in size from 9" to 18." Both structures have solid covers and are normally imprinted on top with "NSD or Sewer." Occasionally, there may be a separation between the base and the cover of the manhole or rodding inlet causing the cover to rattle when a vehicle rolls over it. To report a rattling manhole or rodding inlet cover, call (707) 258-6000.
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What can I do about terrible sewer odors?
First, try to determine where the odor is coming from (inside the home or outside in the street). If an odor is coming from inside the home, there may be a problem with the internal plumbing system. Check your internal system first or call a plumbing company. If the problem exists outdoors, call (707) 258-6000.
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I paid a plumber to repair my side sewer. It turns out the problem was occurring in the public sewer. Can I be reimbursed for my plumbing bill?
Not normally! This is why we encourage homeowners to contact NSD first. NSD crewmembers can then determine who is responsible for the maintenance or repair. Occasionally, homeowners call a plumber or sewer and drain service to correct a problem with their private side sewers, and it turns out that the cause of the problem was a stoppage in the publicly owned section of the sewer, for example in the lower lateral.
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How do I find out where the problem is?
When a sewer backup or other problem occurs, call the Napa Sanitation District at (707) 258-6000, 24 hours/day and NSD will come out and inspect the public sewer maintenance area free of charge. In many cases it will not be obvious whether the property owner or NSD is responsible for the problem. If a problem is found from the property line up and including the main lines within the public main, the District will remedy the problem as soon as possible. If the line is found to be clear, the property owner will be informed that the blockage is probably in the upper sewer lateral. In this case, the property owner is responsible for maintenance or repair.
Caution: When trying to locate a sewer problem, never open manholes or other NSD structures. Due to potential hazards, only NSD personnel are authorized to open and inspect these structures.
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How do I proceed with a sewer lateral problem?
If the sewer problem is found to be in the upper sewer lateral (between the building and cleanout at the property line) the property owner can hire a contractor to make repairs or, if equipped, can make repairs themselves. Contractors are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Plumbing Drain & Sewer Cleaning" or "Sewer Contractors". If you plan to hire a contractor, we recommend getting estimates from more than one company.
An Inspection Permit is to be obtained prior to any work done on the sewer line. More information on how to get an Inspection Permit is available by calling: (707) 258-6000. Once you are aware of a sewer lateral problem, it should be repaired as soon as possible. Sewer laterals that leak or overflow are a public health risk and may cause damage to the environment.
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What permits are required for repairs in a street?
If a sewer lateral repair involves digging in a street or other public right-of-way, an encroachment permit will be required. Encroachment permits are available from the agency that maintains the street. In most cases, this is the City of Napa Public Works Department. They can be reached at (707) 257-9520.
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How can I get a cleanout installed?
Contact the NSD at (707) 258-6000 and request the installation of a cleanout. Typically, the cleanout will be installed on the property line. A vertical pipe (riser) will be connected to the existing sewer lateral. A "Cristy Box" will be set around the top of the pipe to grade. This allows ease of access for cleaning the lateral as well as disposal of motor home wastewater.
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Who is responsible for sanitary sewer repair?
NSD maintains all public sanitary sewer mains within the City of Napa and sections of unincorporated areas within the City boundaries. This includes over 250 miles of pipelines that are generally located within public streets or easements dedicated for Napa Sanitation District use.
Each residential or commercial building has a separate connection to the public sanitary sewer main called an upper sewer lateral. In accordance with District Ordinance No. 87, it is the property owner's responsibility to maintain and repair the upper sewer lateral from the house to the cleanout. The cleanout is typically located behind the property line and is the connection point between the upper and lower lateral. Napa Sanitation District maintains the lower sewer lateral. The drawing above illustrates the difference between a sewer lateral and a public sanitary sewer main.
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