Overview
The Water and Sewer Division
is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water
distribution and sewer collection systems for the City. The City
installs and maintains water meters, fire hydrants and maintains the
sanitary and storm sewer systems. The City now maintains a total 150.8 miles of sanitary sewer lines,
170.4 miles of water lines and approximately 136.6 miles of storm sewer
lines.
Water and sewer services are purchased
from the City of Columbus, with billing to the residents’ of Gahanna
processed through the Gahanna billing office.
The staff for the water and
Sewer Division consists of a foreman, four equipment operators, three
water and sewer technicians, three full time account clerks, and
seasonal employees as needed. They are responsible for meter reading, water
line and sewer service inspections, water meter setting, final meter
reading, pump station maintenance, field spotting of underground water,
sewer and street lines, sanitary sewer cleaning, catch basin cleaning,
fire hydrant maintenance including installation, flushing and repairs as
well as response to emergency situations, such as water line breaks or
sewer back-ups.
Capacity Management Operations and Maintenance Program (CMOM)
The Ohio EPA has ordered all
Satellite Communities operating a wastewater collection system to
implement a CMOM program to manage collection system assets and ensure
compliance of best management practices developed by the industry. The
City of Gahanna is classified as a Satellite Community because it does
not treat it’s own wastewater, and is therefore required to implement
it’s own CMOM program. Click here for more information.
Home Sewer Treatment Systems (HSTS)
It is important for residents
who are not tied to the City’s sanitary sewer system to properly
maintain their HSTS. Click here for information on the operation and maintenance of
home sewer treatment systems.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure could be
caused by a variety of reasons. It could be a water leak or a bad meter.
Before calling a plumber, call the City of Gahanna so we can make sure
it is not something for which the City is responsible. Call 342-4440,
Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on
weekends and holidays, call 342-4240.
Water Leaks
The City is responsible for
water leaks from the curb box (located in the front of the property,
near the sidewalk) to the water main and the mains themselves. The
homeowner is responsible for the water line from the curb box to the
house. If you suspect a water break, call the City and we will determine
whether the City or the property owner is responsible for the repairs.
Call 342-4440, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m.
and on weekends and holidays, call 342-4240.
Discolored or Foul Tasting Water
If the water looks or smells
bad, do not drink, cook, clean or bathe with it. Contact the City and
we will check it out. Call 342-4440, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, call 342-4240.
Sewer Odor or Slow Flushing Toilets
The City is responsible for
maintaining the sewer mains. The property owner is responsible for
maintaining their sewer laterals, which run from the house or business
to the sewer main. If you think you smell sewer gas, do not hesitate to
contact the City. The City will check and (if necessary) clear the main.
If it is the lateral that is clogged, it is the property owner's
responsibility to have their lateral cleared. Call 342-4440, Monday thru
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends and
holidays, call 342-4240.
Sewer Basins and Lids
The City is responsible for
all sewer basins and lids. If any lid is broken or if you notice any
problems with the sewer pits, call 342-4440, Monday thru Friday, 8:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, call
342-4240.
Do not cover, bury, or block any sewer pit lid. This makes it very hard
to clear backups or run any kind of maintenance. Please make sure we
have access to the sewer pits. We will knock before we enter property,
but if a fence or other obstructions hamper our investigation, it may
cause your basement to backup since time is critical in clearing and
cleaning sewer pits.
Storm Sewer Problems
The City is responsible for
storm water lines and catch basins. All problems such as high water in
the roadway, broken storm lids, etc. should be reported to the City as
soon as possible (especially in cold weather, as a backed up storm line
could cause a street to be covered with ice). Call 342-4440, Monday thru
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends and
holidays, call 342-4240.
Sewer Adjustment MeterS (SAMS) / Deduct Meters
Sewer adjustment meters, also referred to as deduct meters, keep track of
the amount of water used by a property owner that is not taken away via
the sanitary sewer (i.e., water used to water lawns). It is a water meter that registers outdoor water use. The water use calculated by a SAM will not be charged sanitary sewer charges.
Sewer adjustment meters can be purchased through the Gahanna's water department. An Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) transmitter must also be purchased with the meter. The property owner has the meter installed by a vendor of their choice
and then inspected by the City. During inspection, a Gahanna employee will install the AMI transmitter.
If the water from a SAM is being applied to an irrigation system, a backflow prevention device must also be installed. This also requires a plumbing permit. This permit can be obtained from Gahanna's Building Division.
Click here to review Gahanna's SAM installation standards. For a detailed guide on how to install a sewer adjustment meter click here. For more information, call 342-4440,
Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Additional Information
Forms
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