Collections FAQ | Sewer Utility | Public Works and Utilities

Public Works & Utilities >> Sewer Utility >> Collections >> FAQ's

Collections - Frequently Asked Questions

The wastewater collection system provides sewer service to more than 28,000 households and 2,300 businesses in the cities of Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, Milton, and unicorporated areas of the County including Spanaway, Parkland, Brown's Point, South Hill, and Frederickson.

The service area includes:

650 miles of sewer pipelines,
94 individual pumping stations,
Over 840 residential grinder pumps, and
Over 15,000 service manholes

Sewer Service Area

1. What should I do if the red light on the grinder pump alarm is activated in my home?
If it is a Pierce County maintained pump then call the 24 hour service line (253)-565-3440 and a maintenance crew will be sent out. All Pierce County grinder pumps have a Pierce County Information and Service number sticker applied to the unit. If there is no Pierce County information on the pump unit then you must contact a private contractor to address the problem.

Back to Top

2. What should I do if I lose something valuable down a drain or toilet in my home?
Don't run water in the drain or flush the toilet, call a plumber. Pierce County maintenance crews cannot come into a private residence to disconnect plumbing and look for reported lost items.

3. What should I do if I see sewage backing up inside my home or coming out though the clean-outs in my yard?
Call the 24 hour repair line (253) 565-3440 and a maintenance crew will be dispatched to your home.

Back to Top

4. Can I connect roof drain, yard drains or sump pumps to my sewer system?
No, only sanitary sewer connections can legally be connected to the sewer system. All connections to the sanitary sewer system require a permit that must be obtained from Pierce County Public Works and Utilities. (253)-798-4050.

5. When the sewer lines are inspected using video, what are you looking for?
Usually we are looking for defects in pipelines, debris, grease, roots, illegal connections, ground or surface water infiltrations, cracks that could allow sewage to escape the sanitary pipelines, pulled joints and miscellaneous breaks.

6. If I see a broken, missing, or loose sewer manhole lid, what should I do?
Call the 24 hour Sewer Maintenance Hotline at (253) 565-3440 and report the location using the nearest street address or cross streets. Staff will send out a crew to repair the problem.

7. I have a septic system, who do I call if I have questions or problems?
On-site septic systems are permitted and approved by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (253)798-4788.

8. What should I do if I see flooding on private property or any other area other than a roadway?
Flooding problems, other than on roadways, should be reported to Surface Water Management at (253) 798-2725. Roadway flooding should be reported to the Emergency Road Maintenance Hotline (253) 798-6000.

9. How do I get connected to the sewer system?
You can contact the Pierce County Environmental Services Building at (253)-798-4050 and make your request. Staff will review your parcel location and advise if sewer service is available nearby and what costs would be incurred to connect.

Call Before You Dig!
Pierce County Utilities subscribes to the Utilities Underground Location Center per Washington State Law RCW 19.122. Please call 24 hours in advance to 1-800-424-5555 or 811before starting any new project.

Collections Address:

Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
Collections Division
10311 Chambers Creek Road West
University Place, Washington 98467

(253) 565-3440 24 hours
(253) 798-3019 fax
pcutilities@co.pierce.wa.us