Lansing, MI

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Public Service Department - Sewage & Sewer Drains

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1. My toilet is backing up and there is sewage in the basement. Who do I contact to find out what is wrong?: Please contact the Operations and Maintenance Division of the Public Service Department to report the issue at 517-483-416. A representative from the sewer department is available 24/7, 7 days/week, all year long and will respond to the issue in a timely manner.

2. I have a general question about my sewer. Who do I ask?: For general questions about your sewer contact the Public Service Department at 517-483-4161. An on-call employee is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your concerns regarding the sewer systems. Please call (517) 483-4161 to report an issue or concern that may include:
• Sewer back-up or water in your basement
• Cave-in or sinkhole in the street or right of way
• Drainage issue
• Erosion
• Illicit discharge
• Plugged catch basin or culvert
• Water over the road
• Sewer odor
For information regarding your bill contact the Lansing Board of Water and Light at: 517-702-6000.

3. What are the rates for connecting to the City of Lansing sewer system?: The current connection permit fee rate is $100, and the sewer tap fee is $225. Should the connection require excavating into the street, there will also be a road cut fee. During 2004 these fees are $9.30 per square foot of cut on local streets, and $18.95 per square foot of cut on major streets. For rate information and obtaining the permits, please call the Public Service Department at 517-483-4455.

4. I have a business and use water in production. I discharge this water to the sanitary sewer. Do I need a discharge permit for this?: You might. Many types of industrial and commercial business activities discharge process waste waters to the Lansing sanitary sewer. These require Industrial User wastewater discharge permits. Please contact the Industrial Pretreatment Program Supervisor at 517-483-4407 to discuss this matter.

5. I noticed a sharp increase in my sewer bill this month over previous months with similar water usage. Why is this so much? What is the rate? Why wasn't I notified?: Rate change notices go out to Lansing sewer use customers in August or September for changes taking effect on October 1. It's possible you did not receive the rate change letter. We apologize if you did not receive this letter. Please provide us with your name (correct spelling) and address, and we will mail you a copy of the letter immediately. The sewage bill pays for operation, maintenance, and equipment replacement of the City's sanitary sewer collection system, Pump Stations, and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

6. I noticed a discharge of clear water from a home to the curb. Is this an acceptable discharge and discharge location? Shouldn't this go directly to the sewer?: This type of discharge is usually from a basement sump pump that is removing water from the foundation drain. It is acceptable to discharge to the lawn provided that the water rapidly infiltrates into the lawn and does not pond. It is not acceptable to let the water run to the curb. If a better spot in the yard cannot be located to discharge the water, then the water should be pumped to a gravity lead that is connected to a combined sewer or storm sewer. The lead cannot be connected to a sanitary sewer. If you have a concern, please call the Public Service Department at 517-483-4455.

7. I have a separate meter for watering my lawn and garden. Why am I being charged sewer I&I for this water? I thought this was going to be a reduced charge because it doesn't discharge to the sewer.: I&I refers to Inflow and Infiltration. Water used for lawns and gardens seeps into the ground. This water becomes groundwater which infiltrates into failed sewers. This water also acts like rainwater which inflows into failed sewers similar to a rain event. A reduced charge is associated with transporting and processing of infiltration and inflow water received at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City continues to investigate sewer systems to determine sewer infrastructure failures and take corrective actions. All customers with meters for lawn watering pay a fee to finance treatment and sewer repair. Please contact us at 517-483-4404 to discuss this.

8. I live near the Wastewater Plant. Lately I have noticed a foul odor coming from the plant. Isn't there something that can be done to control the odors from the plant?: We are very sensitive to odor issues at the Lansing Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Lansing Wastewater Division will make every effort to find and correct odor sources. Please be prepared to provide the following information: Your name, address and phone number. What time of the day do you detect the odor? Is there a specific day the odor is detected? Please describe the odor, i.e. musty, earthy, rotten eggs, bleach, decomposing matter, etc. Please contact us at 517-483-4404, and we will investigate.

9. Can I dump my Recreation Vehicle (RV) sanitary waste at the Wastewater Treatment Plant?: No. This wastewater is considered septage. Lansing currently does not accept septage or hauled waste at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Instead, there are several locations where you can take your waste. You'll find them on the website http://www.sanidumps.com/rvdumpscity.php?citynum=1977&city=Lansing&cityradius=1

10. What is all the noise coming from the Wastewater Treatment Plant?: The Wastewater Treatment facility is usually very quiet. Please contact the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 517-483-4404 and provide the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number.
- What time of the day do you hear the noise?
- Is there a specific day this noise is heard?
- Is the noise intermittent or continuous?
- Does the noise vary in intensity and volume?
- Please describe the type of noise, i.e. whistle, high pitched, grinding, low hum, etc.

11. Do qualify for a credit on my sewer bill?: A credit may be given if a large amount of water was used through no fault of the homeowner. If you think you qualify, call the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 517-483-4404.

12. Can I get a sewer credit for filling a pool?: No, because water used to fill a swimming pool should return to the city sewer. Swimming pool water has chemicals in it that make it unsuitable for discharge to the ground or storm sewer.

13. Why does it cost more for sewer services than water?: Treating wastewater for return to the environment is much more difficult than the drinking water treatment process. The cost reflects the larger staff and facilities needed to properly treat and dispose of your sewage.

14. What can I pour down my drain? Oil/grease, paint etc.?: The sewage collection and treatment system is designed to handle human waste and normal household discharges. This should not include paints, chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze, etc. Even cooking oils and greases should be kept out of the sewer as much as possible. Information on disposal of household hazardous waste is available at Ingham.org.

15. The cover to a catch basin/manhole is missing. Who do I call to investigate the issue?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Operations and Management Division of the Public Service Department to report the issue at 517-483-4161. A representative from the Sewer Department is available 24/7, all year long and will respond to the issue in a timely manner. If this is an emergency please call 911 immediately.

16. A hole has opened up in a the street. Who do I call to have it looked at?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Operations and Maintenance Division of the Public Service Department to report the issue at 517-483-4161. A representative from the Sewer Department is available 24/7, all year long and will respond to the issue in a timely manner. If this is an emergency please call 911 immediately.

17. There is a strong sewer or rotten egg smell in or around my house. Who do I contact to take care of the issue?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Operations and Maintenance Division to the Public Service Department to report the issue at 517-483-4161. A representative from the Sewer Department is available 24/7, all year long and will respond to the issue in a timely manner. If you think it may be a natural gas leak please contact Consumers Energy immediately.

18. My neighbor has a pipe that discharges water onto the sidewalk. When it's cold it freezes on the sidewalk causing a hazard. Who can I call to report the issue?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Public Service Department at 517-483-4455 to report the issue.

19. A city tree is causing my sewer to back up due to the tree's roots. What can be done to fix the issue?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Public Service Department at 517-483-4455 to report the issue.

20. The manhole cover has blown off and there is water bubbling out onto the ground. Who do I call to report the issue?: Please submit a request using the Lansing Connect app or contact the Operations and Maintenance Division of the Public Service Department to report the issue at 517-483-4161. A representative from the Sewer Department is available 24/7, 7 days a week all year long and will respond to the issue in a timely manner.

21. How do I apply for a Low Income Sewer Utility Credit?: The Low Income Credit instructions and forms can be obtained at http://www.lansingmi.gov/low_income_assistance or you may call the Treasurer's Office at 517-483-4121.

22. The catch basin in the street is not draining. Who do I call to fix the problem?: Call Public Service, O&M division at 517-483-4161. A representative of the sewer department will respond to the issue in a timely manner.