How the sewer system works
The City of Wrenford uses two separate pipe networks to keep your home clean and protect the Tamsin River. The storm sewer carries rainwater and melted snow from streets, driveways, and parkways directly back to the river. The sanitary sewer carries wastewater from your home to the Wrenford Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment before it returns to the waterway. Keeping these pipes clear and free of harmful substances is a shared responsibility.
What you can do at home
Every item you put down a drain or into a storm grate affects the whole system. Simple changes at home can prevent costly backups and environmental damage.
- Flush only toilet paper and human waste. Anything else—including paper towels, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, and cotton swabs—can tangle together and create a blockage.
- Keep fats, oils, and grease (FOG) out of the drain. Cooking grease hardens inside pipes and sticks to everything in its path. Scrape leftovers into the garbage, wipe pans with a paper towel, and never pour grease down the sink.
- Put yard waste in the green bin. Leaves, grass clippings, and small branches should never go into the storm sewer. They wash into the Tamsin River, harm wildlife, and clog our drainage infrastructure. See the green bin collection page for pickup schedules and rules.
- Dispose of chemicals properly. Paint, motor oil, solvents, and cleaning products must go to the household hazardous waste depot at East Wrenford Waste Management Facility or a designated collection day. Never pour them down the drain or into a storm grate.
Rules for businesses
Commercial kitchens, auto repair shops, and laundries produce higher volumes of wastewater and grease. All businesses must install and maintain approved grease traps and oil separators to prevent blockages and protect the treatment plant. The City inspects these devices regularly to ensure they are working properly. If you run a business that discharges wastewater, review the commercial wastewater monitoring page for permit requirements, reporting schedules, and inspection rules.
Reporting a problem
Sewer backups and overflows can cause serious health hazards and property damage. If you notice a sewage smell in a park, a slow-draining street, or a backup in a basement, report it immediately. You can call Service Wrenford 311 from inside city limits, or dial 519-555-0100. We will dispatch a crew to investigate and clear the blockage as quickly as possible.
We also run the Sewer Overflow Alert Programme, which sends text and email notifications to residents in affected neighbourhoods during a backup or overflow event. Sign up for alerts through your water account portal or by contacting us directly.
By-laws and fines
Protecting our sewer system is not optional. Under the Water and Wastewater By-law 2017-090, dumping harmful substances, blocking a storm grate, or allowing grease to enter the sanitary system is a violation. The City can issue fines of up to $10,000 for serious offences, and the responsible party is billed for all emergency cleanup and repair costs. For more details on municipal waste and sewer rules, visit the waste management bylaws page.
Contact us
For questions about your private sewer line, connection permits, or system maintenance, email [email protected] or call 519-555-0100. Our Water Operations team is happy to help.