There are two types of sewer systems: storm and sanitary.
The municipal storm sewer system collects rainwater and surface water runoff from roads and parking lots. The municipal sanitary sewer system is a system of underground pipes that transport sanitary sewage from the plumbing of privately owned buildings to the Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Flooding can occur if the sewer connection to a building becomes blocked, or when catch basins or culverts are blocked.
Sewer Use By-law
The City's Sewer Use By-law provides guidance to residents and businesses on proper wastewater disposal practices. It sets limits for certain substances that, if discharged to the sanity and storm sewer systems over the limits, could damage City infrastructure and/or end up in Lake Simcoe untreated.
Storm Sewer System
The municipal storm sewer system carries the rain and snow melt water that reach the City’s catch basins, which are typically found along the side of roadways or in parking lots. This water drains directly back into the local watercourse, Kempenfelt Bay, or Little Lake.
Water that enters a storm drain is NOT treated to remove pollutants. It is important not to dispose of any waste materials into any storm water collection point. Catch basins are never an option to dispose of hazardous materials such as paints, oils, grout wash water or drywall mud. Please help protect our drinking water sources.
Storm Sewer Devices
Sanitary Sewer System
The municipal sanitary sewer system is a system of underground pipes that transport wastewater from the plumbing of privately owned buildings, including toilets, sinks, wash basins and industry process connections, to the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WwTF). Manholes are used at designated intervals in a sewer line as a means of access for inspection or cleaning. Learn about the annual Sanitary Sewer Lining Program.
The sewage is treated at the WwTF and clean treated water is discharged into Kempenfelt Bay. To ensure a properly functioning transportation and treatment system, certain materials should NOT be disposed into sinks or toilets.
When disposed of into sinks or toilets, these common items can cause blocked drains, equipment damage, injury to a WwTF employees, and/or poor sewage treatment:
- Disposable diapers
- Baby wipes or toys
- Sanitary napkins
- Combs or brushes
- Hair
- Any plastic materials
- Kitchen grease
- Oil, fuels & other hazardous materials
- Building foundation drainage (sump pump water)
- Newspapers, rags, cloths, cleaning wipes, paper towels
Not sure how to dispose of an item in Barrie? Visit barrie.ca/WasteItemLookup to find out.
If you have water coming back up your drains (i.e. basement floor drain) you may have a blocked drain. To help avoid a common cause a blocked lateral, please review Grease Management for your Home.
City crews can determine whether the blockage is in the main or in the homeowner's sewer lateral. If the blockage is in the main that runs down the middle of the street, the City is responsible for clearing it.
It is City policy when responding to calls regarding blocked sewers to check the main, whether the caller thinks the blockage is their responsibility or not. If the main is blocked it could affect more than one property. Once it has been verified that the blockage is not in the main, the homeowner should call a private service provider.
Download the Sanitary Sewer Lateral brochure to learn about your sanitary lateral and responsibilities.
Businesses should follow best management practices and manufacturer’s recommendations for any pre-treatment devices installed on their sewer lines.
Keeping Track of Underground Infrastructure
Staff monitor the sanitary and the storm sewer systems to help prevent issues and plan for future repairs:
Flooding
Flooding can occur if the sewer connection to a building becomes blocked by tree roots, grease, objects and other debris. Flooding can also occur during spring and summer storms and also when catch basins or culverts are blocked. Basic preventative measures include:
- do not put grease or objects (such as diapers, wipes, paper towels, rags, dental floss) down your toilet or drains.
- consider installing a sump pump if required.
Sump pumps are installed in the basement of homes to collect water from the foundation of the house and pump it out onto the lawn to prevent basement flooding. - keep catch basins clear of leaves and debris. In the fall, sweep up leaves for bagging or composting to prevent excess debris from entering the sewer system.
- consider having your plumbing cleared of any debris, roots, etc.
If you have a back-up of water and/or sewage in your basement, please:
- Check the toilets and sinks and clear any blockages.
- If that doesn’t solve the problem, please call us at 705-726-4242.
- Avoid using your plumbing until the problem has resolved to minimize any damage.
- Make notes of everything that happens (i.e. where and when the water came in, anything you did to help alleviate the flooding). This will help City staff or your plumber determine the cause of the flooding.
It is important that any obstructions that can contribute to flooding be reported to the City of Barrie as soon as possible. Call 705-726-4242.
During spring weather conditions and heavy rainfall events, water levels in local creeks and watercourses can rise and be dangerous. Please call the City at 705-726-4242 (after-hours, please follow the prompts) to report any of the following:
- obstructions in creeks or watercourses
- flooded ditches
- blocked culverts
- flooded roadways