The City of Boone, Iowa

Sewer Management 

How to Report a Backup

If you have a backup in your basement please follow these steps:

1. Call the City first (this is critical to prevent an unnecessary service charge by a plumber contractor) - call 515-432-4211 ext 1129.
2. If you are calling after business hours, during a holiday or staff is unavailable to take your call, you can call the non-emergency number for County Dispatch at 515-433-0527
3. City personnel will then be dispatched to inspect the sewer main servicing your property. City personnel will then inform you if a plumber needs to be contacted. (please note that all costs associated with work performed by a plumber is the responsibility of the property owner)
4. If a plumber is needed City Personnel will continue to be a resource to assist with research of the issue.

Information for Residents:

The sewer system is a complex system of underground pipe and streets. The key is the difference between a sanitary sewer and a storm sewer. Both systems are designed to transfer water/wastewater from a source to an outlet point yet the two are very different.

The sanitary sewer system is what hauls water from your home when you flush the toilet. This water is referred to as wastewater. Wastewater is high in bacterial content and must be treated prior to release. The treatment process is complex and requires constant monitoring at the Boone Water Environment Facility. The sanitary sewer system IS NOT intended to handle storm water or water from sump pumps or perimeter drains; however, this is a chronic problem for our system.

The storm sewer system is designed to handle rain from storm events and some groundwater. Often times the storm sewer system includes roads to transfer water from one location to another. When you see a stream of water traveling along the curb realize that this is the intended purpose of the road. In some cases that storm water enters storm intakes and is transferred to underground pipes that lead to a ravine or stream. This water is NOT treated.

Both of these systems within Boone need repair and both of these systems are being stressed by system users. In many cases this “stress” on the system is inadvertent and not intentional.

Below are some examples of what causes the stress:

Storm Sewer:

• Tree roots
• Leaves, grass and other material in the street
• Broken pipe or damaged pipe

Sanitary Sewer:

• Illegal sump pump connections
• Illegal foundation drain connections
• Illegal downspout connections
• Tree roots
• Grease
• Towels, toys, turtles or other items flushed down the toilet

Iowa One Call

Citizens needing to request locates for private projects should contact Iowa One Call before digging. Iowa law requires that any person, homeowner, professional, public or private entity, planning to engage in any form of excavation within the State of Iowa, must notify the Iowa One Call notification system at 1-800-292-8989 at least 48 hours prior to excavating. The Iowa One Call notification system is a free call and a free service to all persons planning an excavation within the State of Iowa. The required 48 hours advance notice does not include Saturdays and Sundays or legal holidays.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!!!