Who do I call if there is a sewer service backup in my home or business, of if there is an observed sewer overflow in the street?

The City has implemented a one-call point-of-contact for the public or sewer customers to alert the City of an apparent sewer problem. The public or sewer customers are instructed to contact the Fitchburg DPW Dispatch, at (T) 978-829-1900.

Weekdays (non-holidays) the Fitchburg DPW Dispatch Desk is staffed from 7:00 AM thru 3:00 PM.

After hours on weekdays (non-holidays), on weekends, and on holidays, calls to the (T) 978-829-1900 number will be answered by an answering service, and the call message will be forwarded to the appropriate on-call City staff member. For sewer related calls, messages will be forwarded to the on-call DPW Wastewater Division on-call Collection System personnel.

  • To best help, when contacting the Fitchburg DPW Dispatch (or off-hours answering service) to report observed sewer-issues or overflows, callers should provide the Fitchburg DPW Dispatch desk (or off-hours answering service) with:
  1. Your name and contact telephone number;
  2.  Address (if sewer service backup), or location of the overflow (nearest address, or intersection); and
  3. Approximate time the sewer service backup or overflow was first observed.

City DPW Wastewater Division Collection System personnel responding to the site will investigate the City-owned sewers to determine if the source of the problem is in the City-owned sewers, or if the source of the problem appears to be in the sewer customer owned sewer service piping. Responding personnel will contact the caller to relay the findings, and any actions taken. If the source of the problem appears to be in the sewer customer owned sewer service piping, the caller (or customer) will be informed that the issue is in the private, customer owned piping, and that the caller (or customer) will need to contact a plumber to address the issue in the private, customer owned piping.

Show All Answers

1. What is an abatement?
2. In what area are there Sewer and Drain repairs? Will there be a detour?
3. What is a "billing unit" on my bill?
4. Why is my bill higher than before?
5. My property is only on City sewer, but is not on City water. How does the Wastewater Division set my bill?
6. What is the billing process, and is there a minimum charge?
7. There are sewer odors in my home. Should I call the City?
8. Who owns the sewer piping to my home?
9. Who do I call if there is a sewer service backup in my home or business, of if there is an observed sewer overflow in the street?