Sewer Division
The Sewer Division is responsible for the routine cleaning, repair, reconstruction, and maintenance of sanitary and storm sewer lines and the lift stations that service the lines. The Sewer Division does not maintain the interceptor sewers or the sewer treatment facilities. These facilities are operated by either the Wheaton Sanitary District or DuPage County.
Please note: If you have a sanitary sewer backup, before you call a plumber, call the Sewer Division at 630-260-2110 or 630-260-2121. For after-hours calls, call 630-260-2161.
The Sewer Division receives many inquiries from homeowners about retention/detention basins on or near their properties during or after a heavy rainfall. Read the Sewer Division's section on retention/detention basins, which should answer many of your questions.
Sewer Division Programs & Services:
Sewer Smoke Testing
To identify places where stormwater is entering the sanitary sewer system and causing sewer backups in homowners' basements, the City has selected an investigation program using smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system. A mixture of nontoxic smoke and air are forced into the sewer lines to locate problem areas. The smoke used is nontoxic, creates no fire hazard, leaves no residue, dissipates quickly and is harmless. Learn more about what you should do if smoke testing is being performed in your area, and see the map of the area selected for smoke testing (pdf).
Overhead Sewer Private Property Protection Program
The Overhead Sewer Private Property Protection Program helps residents eliminate repetitive sanitary sewer backups in their basements. It provides partial reimbursement for repairs that consist of rerouting basement-level sanitary sewer drains to an ejector pump that discharges above ground.
Qualifying repairs will be reimbursed 50 percent of the repair costs up to a maximum of $3,000. Before applying, please call the Public Works Department at 630-260-2110 to determine whether your repair qualifies for reimbursement. More information, a pre-qualification form and an application are contained in the Overhead Sewer Private Property Protection Program (pdf) packet.
Sanitary Sewer Service Line Reimbursement Program
Through the Shared Cost Private Sanitary Sewer Service Line Repair Program, the City provides partial reimbursement for pre-approved repairs on private sanitary sewer service lines located within the public right-of-way. To become pre-approved, fill out a Prequalification Form.
The City will reimburse qualified residents 50 percent of the repair costs up to $2,000, and the City will restore the pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk located in the right-of-way. To apply, complete the Reimbursement Form (pdf) or call Public Works at 630-260-2110 for more information.
Building Sewer Inspection Program
Sewer backups in the basements of many Wheaton homes during heavy rainstorms sometimes are caused by sump pumps that are illegally connected directly to the sanitary sewer line. This allows storm water to enter the City’s sanitary sewer system and contributes to sewer overloading.
To help solve this problem, the City has implemented a sewer inspection program. Through this program, the City inspects homes in certain areas in Wheaton that have been identified as being prone to backups (see the maps of the affected areas below). Instructions and information will be mailed to residents in these areas about two weeks before inspections will occur.
Maps of Affected Areas: