If you experience problems with the sanitary sewer system – the system that removes waste water from homes and businesses – report them to the Sewer and Water Division at 763-509-5950 during regular business hours, Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. All other times, call 911 to report problems.

Before calling, please try to determine if the problem is with the public system. If the problem is only with one fixture, like a sink or toilet, it is likely that the problem is in the private system. In that case, you should contact a plumber. If there is a problem with the entire building, call the Sewer and Water Division at the number listed above or 911.

If you own a home or business connected to the city’s sanitary sewer system, you are responsible for maintaining the sewer line from your house or business to the point where it connects with the main sewer line in the street. If sewer cleaning is required in that area, it is your responsibility to contact a plumber or sewer cleaning contractor to clean out the line. It is important to have the pipe televised before cleaning to avoid cutting any intersecting gas, power or cable lines. If the problem requires digging in the right of way or street, the city must do the excavating.

The League of Minnesota Sewer Backups brochure  (PDF) discusses issues concerning insurance, liability, clean up and backup prevention.

If you see water bubbling to the surface along a roadway, it may be a water main break. If you suspect a water main break, please call the Water and Sewer Division at the number listed below. After regular business hours, call the public safety dispatcher at 952-258-5321.

The city will investigate the problem and determine if there is a leak in either the public or private service line to the building. If there is a leak in the private service line, the city will notify the property owner to correct the problem. If the leak is in the city’s system, the city will have it repaired.

The city maintains an extensive network of storm sewer pipes, catch basins and manholes with 134 miles of pipe and more than 8,000 manholes. The city also manages more than 1,000 ponds and wetlands along with ditches and streams to safely convey storm water.

To view approximate locations of storm sewer catch basins in Plymouth, view the Storm Drain Adopt a Spot map.

Plymouth residents occasionally receive letters from companies that are selling water service line protection coverage – and the City of Plymouth, in turn, receives inquiries from resident about these solicitations. The City of Plymouth has not partnered with any private water service maintenance providers. In fact, this type of coverage has not been endorsed by the City of Plymouth.

If you are considering purchasing this type of coverage for your property, the City of Plymouth strongly advises you to thoroughly research the need to do so and check the background and track record of any company that offers this type of coverage so that you make an informed decision prior to entering into any agreement.

If you have questions, call the City of Plymouth Utilities Division at 763-509-5950.