Sewer Back-Up Information
What a Homeowner Needs To Know
Upon discovery of an overflow or sanitary backup,
immediately contact the Water and Sewer Division at
248.433.7731 weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30
PM. After business hours, during weekends and on holidays,
call the Emergency Water and Sewer line at 248.433.7730.
Preventing Sewer Back-ups: Keeping Drains Clear …
 Sewage backups and overflows are
often the result of grease buildup, which can lead to costly
clean-ups and repairs, as well as health concerns. Household
kitchen drains are a big source of residential fats, oil and
grease, better known as FOG (e.g. cooking oils, butter, and
meat fats). When grease and oils are repeatedly washed down
the sink it can accumulate in both your plumbing system, as
well as the Township’s sewer system at large. The proper
methods for oil and grease disposal in your home can be as
easy – see these quick tips below:
Use an old coffee can or jar as your grease container
Pour greasy or oily food waste into the container, NOT
down the drain or garbage disposal
Allow animal fats to cool or solidify in the container
before scraping the pan or throwing the grease container in
the trash
Disposing of cooking oils and grease properly in your home
can help to prevent clogged pipes and grease-related backups
in the future. Remember that grease blockages can cause
wastewater to overflow inside your own home and damage private
property, so do your part and keep grease out of the drains!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about
fats, oils and grease prevention techniques, please contact
the Bloomfield Township Water and Sewer Division at
248.433.7731.
For more information on FOG prevention, download the
following brochures & poster.
Brochures
FOG
Prevention: Residential
FOG
Prevention: Businesses
Poster
Keep Drains Clear of
Fats, Oils, & Grease
Public Act 222: Sewer Back-up Legislation
The State of Michigan passed a new law, Act 222 of Public
Acts of 2001, which clarifies the conditions under which
municipalities are liable for sewer backups. The Act sets
standards to determine the extent to which a municipality is
liable for backups and establishes a process that affected
persons must follow to seek compensation when a backup occurs.
The Township does not have legal authority or obligation to
repair a private sewer lead.
Anyone making a claim for property damage or physical
injury must prove that the public sewer had a defect. Further,
the person must prove that the governmental agency knew, or in
the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known about
the defect. Also, it must be proven that the governmental
agency having the legal authority did not take the reasonable
steps in a reasonable amount of time to repair, correct or
remedy the defect. Finally, the defect must be 50% or more of
the cause of the event and the property damage or physical
injury.
If you experience an overflow or backup of a sewage
disposal system or storm water system, and intend to make a
claim, you must file a written claim with the Charter Township
of Bloomfield Clerk within 45 days after the overflow or
backup is discovered. Claim forms are available from the
Township upon request. Claims must be mailed to the
Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works
- Water & Sewer Division, Tom Trice, Director, 4200
Telegraph, P.O. Box 489, Bloomfield Hills MI 48303-0489.
Failure to provide the required written claim within the
allotted time will prevent recovery of damages.
If you are interested in receiving additional information
or have any questions concerning this new law, please feel
free to contact Bloomfield Township Department
of Public Works - Water & Sewer Division, Tom Trice, Director
at 248.433.7731.
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Charter Township of Bloomfield
4200 Telegraph Road
P.O. Box 489
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0489
248.433.7700
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