About Sewer

If you experience a sewer problem, please call the Clarksville Gas and Water Department at 931-553-2424 or after hours call 931-645-0116 and state that you are reporting a sewer problem with sewer line blockage, sewer odors, overflowing manhole or lift station alarm. Clarksville Gas and Water Department does not reimburse plumbing bills.

When a plumber or customer cannot clear the line outside the customer's property they should contact the city at 553-2424 or after hours at 645-0116. The City will reestablish the sewer service flow from the property line to City's sewer main.

CITY ORDINANCE

Section 13-401 (11) of the City's Ordinance states: "Each customer/owner shall be responsible for the normal routine maintenance and inspection of the sanitary sewer service line serving the property from the building to the point where it connects to the city's main sewer. In cases where the customer or customer's plumber cannot clear the line outside of the customer's property by normal sewer rodding methods or it becomes necessary to replace the noted portion of service line, the city will assume responsibility for major maintenance, repair, or replacement of that applicable portion of the sewer service from the city sewer main to the point it crosses the owners property."

ABOUT SEWER LATERALS

A sewer lateral (some call it a sewer service) is the pipeline between the City sanitary sewer main, and the building. The sewer lateral is owned and maintained by the property owner. The cause of a backup in your lateral is usually from items in the line that are not meant to be there, such as:

  • Children's Toys
  • Diapers
  • Paper Products (Not Toilet Paper)
  • Towels
  • Underwear

What you flush down your toilet may not affect you, but it might cause problems for your neighbors! Another possible cause would be roots or grease in your lateral. When having a drainage problem inside the building/residence if, all other drains are working and one is not then the problem is normally in the indoor plumbing.

Sewer Lateral Maintenance

If the problem is in the sewer lateral, the homeowner or business is responsible for correcting the problem. Each customer/owner is responsible for the normal routine maintenance and inspection of the sanitary sewer service line serving the property from the building to the point where it connects to the city's main sewer. In cases where the customer or customer's plumber cannot clear the line outside of the customer's property by normal sewer rodding methods or it becomes necessary to replace the noted portion of service line, the city will assume responsibility for major maintenance, repair, or replacement of that applicable portion of the sewer service from the city sewer main to the point it crosses onto the owner's property. Each customer/owner is required at his expense to repair/replace the domestic sanitary sewer service if found defective by the city during inspections of the sanitary sewer system.

Call Gas & Water for Clogged Drains

Remember to call Clarksville Gas and Water at 931-553-2424 before calling a plumber if all your drains are stopped up. We will check the sewer main and let you know what we find. If the problem is not in the City main you will be advised to contact a plumber.

Who to Call for Sewer Lateral Problems

You will need to call a plumber. Check your Yellow Pages or Business White Pages. The City cannot make a recommendation. It may be in your best interests to obtain several estimates.