Who Manages the Sewers?
City Utilities has responsibility for operating, maintaining and improving an extensive system of pipes, lift stations, and treatment processes all aimed at providing safe and reliable removal of sanitary waste from buildings and homes and ensuring that streets and parking areas do not flood with stormwater.
What Comprises the Sewer System?
There are three kinds of sewer systems in our system: sanitary sewers that carry only wastewater from toilets, showers, washing machines and other domestic uses as well as wastewater from industries; combined sewers that carry a combination of sanitary sewage and rain water runoff; and storm sewers that carry only rain water runoff and snowmelt.
The sewer system contains over 1,500 miles of sewer lines and drains. It covers more than 170 square miles and serves over 93,000 residential and commercial customers in Fort Wayne and Allen County. Portions of the system, like the brick sewer lines in the central city area, were built in the mid- to late-1800s. These aging brick sewers are one of the problems City Utilities faces when maintaining and improving the system because these old sewer need ongoing inspection and repair.
The utility must also ensure that all state and federal requirements are met for the discharge of treated sewage (wastewater) from the plant, as well as implementation of action steps outlined in the Long-term Control Plan aimed at reducing combined sewer overflow events. The Utility Advisory Group, a citizen based group, helps provide guidance to the City on sewer projects, as well as overall management discussions and decisions. The group gives feedback and may suggest policy or operation changes to help City Utilities better meet the needs of its customers.
How is Sewer Management Paid For?
The services of the sewer utility are paid for by a monthly fee billed to customers. More information on sewer rates can be found on the rates page. The City’s authority for collecting this fee is found in Chapter 51 of City Code and Indiana Code 8-1.5-3.
Need to Connect a Sewer?
The content below contains information about lateral sewer installation, building connections, and basic information about Fort Wayne City Utilities’ policies and regulations for connection of a private sanitary sewer service pipe (“lateral”) to a Fort Wayne City Utilities public sanitary sewer.
Fort Wayne City Utilities Development Services—Building Sewer Lateral Installation Information:
- Self-Test and Answer Key
- City Utilities Design Standards Manual (Chapter 6 References and Drawings)
- Fort Wayne General Rules and Regulations Wastewater Utility
Additional guidance and regulations concerning sanitary sewer connections can be found in the following places:
- City Utilities Rules and Regulations
- City Utilities Design Standards Manual
- Chapter 51, “Sewers,” of the City’s Code of Ordinances
- Indiana Code 8-1-2-125 (I)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact City Utilities Development Services at (260) 427-1161.