P R O T E C T

YO U R H O M E

& B U s i n E s s

Providing Mobile with superior water

and sewer service, MAWSS is committed

to protecting public health as well as

the health of our environment. Public

educational efforts like this brochure and

our “It’s Easy to be Ungreasy” Grease

Recycling Program are effective ways

to prevent sewer problems and keep our

environment clean. To learn more,

visit our website or call us. Our customer

care teams are always available to

answer your questions.

A message of public courtesy from

What qualifies as a proper “backup prevention” device?

There are three different backup

prevention devices that generally

stop sewer backup from entering a

home or business: a sewer popper, a

grinder pump or a check-valve with

removable inner parts. Each must be

installed by a licensed plumber and

properly maintained.

How do I know if my home or business is protected?

Only a licensed plumber can

evaluate your sewer line and tell

you if you have a properly installed

protection device. if you think you

may be at risk, call a licensed plumber

and be certain you’re protected.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover damage from sewer backup?

in most cases, no. Additional

coverage may be needed. Check

with your insurance provider.

prevent sewer backupcontamination

694.3100 • www.mawss.com

30145-I-0011

What is sewer backup? Sewer backup occurs when a sewer line becomes full and “backs up” in the opposite direction of normal fl ow. If your home or business is not properly protected, raw sewage can move out of the main sewer lineand into your home or business, causing signifi cant damage. Although sewer backup is rare and MAWSS’ sewer system is constructed to protect customers as best as possible from sewage backup, it is important that you make sure you are protected.

Who is at risk? If your home or business foundation is located at an elevation lower than the nearest upstream manhole (such as on the downside of the street), you are at an increased risk for sewer backup. In this case, the City of Mobile plumbing code requires you to have a sewage backup protection device in place. Without proper protection, raw sewage could fl ood your home and cause damage that is diffi cult to repair. Contact a licensed plumber to evaluate your sewer line and install the proper protection device.

STREET

Sewer backup into house

Water surfacerises in manhole

under excessflow conditions

Building mayor may not have

cleanout

Sanitary SewerManholeCover

NOTE: A building is at risk of sewer backup if the elevation of the lowest floor is not 18” above the manhole cover upstream of the building lateral connection. See detail in circle above.

Possible backupinto tubs, toilets,floor drains, etc.Upstream

Sanitary Sewer

Manhole

TOP VIEW

SEWER BACKUP CONDITIONS

NO

RM

AL

FL

OW

CU

RB

DownstreamSanitary Sewer

Manhole

ST

RE

ET

Sanitary Sewer Lateral

CU

RB

Building Lateral

Connection to Main

San

itar

y S

ewer

Mai

n Blockage inSanitary Sewer

Main or increasedflow in rain event

Building at risk if below this elevation.

See notebelow.

UpstreamSanitaryUpstreamSanitaryUpstream

SewerSanitary

SewerSanitary

Manhole

FLOOR

18”STREET

SIDE VIEW

STREET

NORMAL SANITARY SEWER FLOW CONDITIONS

TOP VIEW SIDE VIEW

UpstreamSanitary Sewer

Manhole

UpstreamSanitary Sewer

Manhole

DownstreamSanitary Sewer

Manhole

ST

RE

ET

Sanitary Sewer Lateral

Building Lateral

Connection to Main

San

itar

y S

ewer

Mai

n

UpstreamSanitary Sewer

Manhole

Sewage flows from houseto sanitary sewer main

Water surface in manhole

Building mayor may not have

cleanout

Sanitary SewerManholeCover

What causes sewer backup? MAWSS operates a gravity sewer system. Though rare, backup events are sometimes unavoidable due to:• Heavy rainfall and fl ooding

• Grease or other “clogging” agents in sewer lines

• Unforeseen events that break or block a sewer line (such as construction, geological changes or vandalism)

P R O T E C T

YO U R H O M E

& B U s i n E s s

Providing Mobile with superior water

and sewer service, MAWSS is committed

to protecting public health as well as

the health of our environment. Public

educational efforts like this brochure and

our “It’s Easy to be Ungreasy” Grease

Recycling Program are effective ways

to prevent sewer problems and keep our

environment clean. To learn more,

visit our website or call us. Our customer

care teams are always available to

answer your questions.

A message of public courtesy from

What qualifies as a proper “backup prevention” device?

There are three different backup

prevention devices that generally

stop sewer backup from entering a

home or business: a sewer popper, a

grinder pump or a check-valve with

removable inner parts. Each must be

installed by a licensed plumber and

properly maintained.

How do I know if my home or business is protected?

Only a licensed plumber can

evaluate your sewer line and tell

you if you have a properly installed

protection device. if you think you

may be at risk, call a licensed plumber

and be certain you’re protected.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover damage from sewer backup?

in most cases, no. Additional

coverage may be needed. Check

with your insurance provider.

prevent sewer backupcontamination

694.3100 • www.mawss.com

30145-I-0011

P R O T E C T

YO U R H O M E

& B U s i n E s s

Providing Mobile with superior water

and sewer service, MAWSS is committed

to protecting public health as well as

the health of our environment. Public

educational efforts like this brochure and

our “It’s Easy to be Ungreasy” Grease

Recycling Program are effective ways

to prevent sewer problems and keep our

environment clean. To learn more,

visit our website or call us. Our customer

care teams are always available to

answer your questions.

A message of public courtesy from

What qualifies as a proper “backup prevention” device?

There are three different backup

prevention devices that generally

stop sewer backup from entering a

home or business: a sewer popper, a

grinder pump or a check-valve with

removable inner parts. Each must be

installed by a licensed plumber and

properly maintained.

How do I know if my home or business is protected?

Only a licensed plumber can

evaluate your sewer line and tell

you if you have a properly installed

protection device. if you think you

may be at risk, call a licensed plumber

and be certain you’re protected.

Will my homeowner’s insurance cover damage from sewer backup?

in most cases, no. Additional

coverage may be needed. Check

with your insurance provider.

prevent sewer backupcontamination

694.3100 • www.mawss.com

30145-I-0011