Sewer

The Sanitary Sewer Department operates and maintains 103 miles of collection system and three lift stations and one pump stations. These lift stations are located on Howard Avenue, Suffolk Street, and South Bayview Avenue, and the pump station on Buffalo Avenue. All of which eventually go to the Nassau County Cedar Creek Sewerage Treatment Facility. The department also maintains main line sewers, checks for sewer odor complaints, service verification, and responds to sewer back-ups and overflows.

Sewer Odor Complaints

If you have a sewer odor in your home, first look for the source in the bathrooms and kitchen. Pour a gallon of water down the shower drains and sinks that are not used often. If this does not solve the problem, call the Sewer Department at 516-377-2375.

If you detect an odor outside your home, call the Sewer Department.

Preventing Sewer Backups at Home

The two most common causes of sewer backups are roots in the sewer line and grease blockages. To prevent sewer backups, keep grease from going down a sink drain. Pour grease into a carton, let it harden, and put it into the garbage.

If you experience a sewer backup at your home, take the following actions:

Don't run any more water or flush a toilet.
Call the Sewer Department at 516-377-2375. They can come out and give you advice as to what the problem might be and if it's your responsibility or the village's. We also have maps showing the location of the sewer line on your property. We'll provide a list of appropriate contractors, if one is needed, and inspect the finished work to make sure it meets Freeport's code requirements.

Preventing Future Back-ups

Know where your sewer line is located. Call the sewer department if you're not sure.
Avoid planting trees and shrubs near the sewer line. Roots can creep into the sewer pipe and over time cause a blockage. If trees or shrubs have caused problems in the past, remove them.
Stop using the kitchen sink and garbage disposal for grease or food scraps.
Vegetable and meat scraps, salad dressing, rice, butter, cooking oils, and many other culinary delights quickly deposit grease and solids that can build up in pipes over time and eventually block a sewer line.
Instead of putting food waste into a garbage disposal, use a paper towel or spatula to move food waste from plates and pans into the garbage. Let melted oils used for cooking solidify in a container (empty juice cartons work well) on the counter or in the refrigerator before placing them into the garbage.

Grease blockages and root intrusion from trees and other vegetation are the most common reasons for sewer backups. When fats, oils, and grease are disposed of down the drain, over time they build up inside the pipe that connects your building to the public sewer, eventually plugging it completely. When trees and other root-invasive shrubs are planted on top of or near sewer lines, roots can grow and enter sewer pipes through joints or maintenance structures. Eventually the roots can create an impenetrable obstruction, stopping flow.

Preventing Sewer Backups in your Business

If your business discharges fats, oils, and grease, you should pre-treat your sewer discharges containing these materials. Operating a good grease abatement program makes good business sense. A grease blockage can shut a business down for several days and cost thousands of dollars in lost profits and cleanup expenses. A little preventative maintenance will help you avoid this costly problem.