Sewers

The City of Sierra Madre operates and maintains the public wastewater collection system that conveys sewage from homes and businesses to regional treatment facilities. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their private sewer laterals, while the City maintains the public sewer mains.

Sewer Services

Report a Sewer Issue Report a suspected problem with a City sewer main or other public sewer infrastructure to Public Works.
Sewer Permits and Inspections Find sewer permit information and requirements for work involving sewer laterals and connections.

Who Maintains What?

City of Sierra Madre

Public Works maintains the City's public sewer mains and related municipal wastewater collection infrastructure.

Property Owner

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their private sewer lateral, including clearing blockages and addressing conditions such as root intrusion.

Not sure where a blockage is located? A private plumber can evaluate the property's sewer lateral. For questions involving the public sewer system, contact the Public Works Department at (626) 355-7135.

Sierra Madre's wastewater collection system consists of approximately 32 miles of gravity sewer lines. The City's collection system does not rely on sewage pump stations or siphons.

32 Miles Approximate length of City gravity sewer lines
93% Flows directly to Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts facilities
7% Flows through the City of Arcadia system before reaching regional treatment facilities

A sewer lateral is the private pipe that carries wastewater from a building to the public sewer main. Sierra Madre property owners are responsible for maintaining their individual sewer laterals.

Property Owner Responsibilities

  • Maintaining the private sewer lateral.
  • Clearing private lateral blockages.
  • Maintaining private sewer cleanouts.
  • Addressing root intrusion or damaged private lateral piping.

Permits and Inspections

Sewer construction, replacement, or connection work may require a City sewer permit and inspection. Public Works performs sewer lateral and utility inspections associated with work affecting City infrastructure.

Many sewer blockages can be prevented by keeping wipes, grease, roots, and stormwater out of sewer pipes.

Wipes

Disposable wipes do not break down like toilet paper, including products labeled "flushable." Put wipes in the trash, not the toilet.

Fats, Oils and Grease

Cooking grease can cool and solidify inside sewer pipes. Collect grease in a suitable container and dispose of it properly instead of pouring it down a drain.

Roots and Rain

Manage root growth near sewer laterals and keep stormwater from entering sewer cleanouts or other sanitary sewer connections.

Sewer Best Management Practices (PDF)

Sierra Madre maintains a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) describing how the City manages, operates, maintains, and responds to conditions within its wastewater collection system.

The Plan Addresses

  • Legal authority
  • Operation and maintenance
  • Overflow emergency response
  • Fats, oils and grease control
  • System capacity and evaluation
  • Monitoring, auditing, and program management
View Sewer System Management Plan (PDF)

Contact Us

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024

(626) 355-7135

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