Show All Answers

1. Who do I call if I have a sewer backup?

Call the Utilities Office at 360-403-3526 where personnel are on duty from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the work week. If it is after working hours, call the Wastewater on-call phone at 360-913-1398. View information on how to cleanup after a sewer backup (PDF).

2. Who do I call about odor problems?

If you think the problem may be coming from a Wastewater Facility you can call the Utilities Office at 360-403-3526 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If it occurs after hours you can contact the Wastewater on-call phone at 360-913-1398. If you believe the smell is from another source you can contact the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565.

3. I saw a truck dumping into one of your manholes, is this legal?

Only if they have a permit or if it is a City vehicle. Please notify the Wastewater Department immediately if you see this action taking place at 360-913-1398.

4. How do I determine if the backup is a City problem or a plumbing problem of my own?

If water is backing up slowly or rapidly in your basement or drain and you have not, or are not using water, it is best to call the Wastewater Department first. We can then check the sewer main line for a blockage and if none is found you can then call your plumber. If you are using water and a drain is backing up, shut off the water and see if the water stops coming up. If it stops, you should probably call your plumber to see what the problem is. You can also check out this informative pamphlet (PDF).

5. Can I tour the Water Reclamation Facility?

We encourage all citizens and interested persons to tour the Water Reclamation Facility. It is an opportunity to see the inner workings of where and what happens after you flush. Contact the Utilities Office at 360-403-3526 to schedule a tour Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6. How do I request an (as-built) drawing, sketch, and or pictures of my side sewer?

Contact the Utilities Office at 360-403-3526 and have available your address and contact information. The Wastewater Department will process this request usually within 24 hours.

7. Are there normal household products that should not be flushed down the drain?

Yes. You should always place diapers, tampons, rags, towels and napkins in the trash. These items can clog your indoor plumbing, cause overflows outside your home and add to the cost of treatment.

8. How do I dispose of grease?

Do not dump grease down the drain. Cooking grease can clog the piping inside your house. It can also clog sewer mains and lead to overflows in yards, parks, creeks and streets. Grease also leads to higher sewer costs as all grease must be removed by expensive methods.

9. How do sewer trucks and trailers un-clog and clean sewer mains?

They use high pressure water and a series of different heads to break blockages lost in wastewater mains. These blockages can be caused from roots, grease, and vandalism. Grease comes from people dumping grease down the drain instead of disposing of it some other way, like the trash. Vandalism is when people flush things down the commode or they open a manhole and throw anything from clothes, wood, rocks, old televisions and anything else they can think of.

10. How often is the sewer system cleaned?

The wastewater collections system is being cleaned all the time. We clean different parts of the system each month. We have a goal to clean more than 10% of the system a year.

11. Where can I get a copy of the Arlington Design and Construction Standards?

Arlington's Design and Construction Standards can be downloaded from the Construction and Utility Applications page.

12. What will it cost me to connect to water and/or sewer? How much are your water and sewer connection fees?

Whether you are inquiring about a new plat, single family/multi family residence or commercial/industrial business, please contact the Permit Center at 360-403-3551. There are a number of different factors involved such as; where the property is located, inside/outside city limits, recovery fees, sidewalk or road cuts, type of use, etc.

13. What do I have to do to connect to city water and sewer utilities?

For residential property, commercial or industrial property, please contact the Permit Center at 360-403-3551.

14. How do I schedule an inspection?

The inspection line phone number for Water is 360-403-3526. For Sewer it is 360-403-3508. For Stormwater it is 360-403-3523. Please give 48 hours notice.