Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection

The state building code requires a backflow valve if plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first upstream manhole on the street. A properly operating valve allows flow in one direction, preventing wastewater from entering the building during sewer system maintenance or backups. Consult a builder or plumber to find out if a particular building is required to have a backwater valve.

For examples of problems caused by backflow, see the BackflowCases.com website.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Report

Certified Backflow Testers List

Fats, oil and grease poured down the drain will collect and stick to plumbing and sewer lines. Over time, lines can become blocked, causing sewer backups or overflows. The following practices can help prevent this:

• Discarding used fats, oil and grease with other garbage.
• Minimizing use of garbage disposals.
• Scraping plates into trash cans.
• Using paper towels to wipe leftover oils and fats from pots and pans.

Additional information can be found in the videos section on this page.

Fact Sheet: Proper Disposal of Fats, Oil and Grease

Fats, oil and grease policy

Only waste and toilet paper should be flushed. See the fact sheet below for more information.

Fact Sheet: Your Toilet Is Not a Trash Can

The town’s primary responsibility for the sewer system is to protect the environment by maintaining unobstructed wastewater flow in the collection system’s main lines. Crews routinely do preventative maintenance and repairs, remove roots and clean sewer lines with pressure washers. 

A non-toxic, non-staining vapor resembling smoke is used in periodic leak testing of the sanitary sewer system.

The town periodically mows and removes trees from utiliy easements and rights-of-way. For more information, see the street maintenance page on this website.

The town will assess the stoppage to determine whether the blockage is on the utility’s side of the sewer line or the homeowner’s side.

The town will clear blockages that occur in the sewer main line or in the sewer service line from the town-maintained cleanout at the edge of the right-of-way to the sewer main.

Homeowners are responsible for blockages in the service line between the town-maintained cleanout at the edge of the right-of-way and the house. If there is no cleanout pipe at the edge of the property, the homeowner is responsible for blockages that occur anywhere in the sewer service line from the house to the main sewer line.

The town tracks and provides an annual report on sewer spills.

Sewer Spill Summary

Before digging, call 811 to have all underground utility lines located and marked for free.

The division and its staff have won the following awards:

• Outstanding Water Distribution Operator of the Year
  • Presented by: N.C. American Water Works Association-Water Environment Association
  • Awarded to: Utility System Supervisor Joel Lashley, 2017
• Outstanding Wastewater Collection Operator of the Year
  • Presented by: N.C. American Water Works Association-Water Environment Association
  • Awarded to: Utility Maintenance Supervisor Al Roberston, 2016
• Small Wastewater Collection System of the Year
  • Presented by: N.C. American Water Works Association-Water Environment Association
  • Awarded to: Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Division, 2016