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1. My water is rusty or red. What should I do?

Occasionally sediment is stirred up in the water mains as the result of a heavy demand (fire fighting, for example) or as a result of normal main flushing by the Water and Sewer Division. The water coming out of your tap has been treated and disinfected as usual, but it picked up iron (rust) along the way to your home or business.

We recommend that you run your cold water tap for several minutes until the water clears. In addition, it is best not to do laundry until the water clears since clothing can be stained by the iron in the water. If your water does not clear up shortly, contact the Water and Sewer Division at 607-272-1717 to let us know about the problem.

2. I have no water. Whom should I contact?

If you have no water in your residence or business and you've already checked to make sure that any plumbing shut-off valves are opened, contact the Water and Sewer Division. During normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., call 607-272-1717. After hours, call 607-273-4680.

3. There is water flowing from the ground or a damaged fire hydrant. Whom do I contact?

Report potential water leaks or damaged fire hydrants to the Water and Sewer Division. During normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., call 607-272-1717. After hours, call 607-273-4680.

4. There was a backup in my sewer line. Who pays to unclog the line?

The answer to this question depends on where the problem is located. If your sewer lateral backs up, we typically recommend that you contact one of the local drain cleaning companies or your plumber. They can quickly determine where the blockage is. If the problem is between your house and the clean-out on your property line (most often the case), the cost of unclogging the sewer lateral is the property owner's responsibility. If the problem lies between the clean-out and the sewer main in the street, the Water and Sewer Division will be contacted to make the necessary repairs at no cost to the property owner.

5. How do I apply for a new water or sewer service?

Contact the Water and Sewer Division at 607-272-1717 to apply for a new water or sewer service.

For a new water service, city crews will tap the water main in the street and run the water service to a curb box at the property line. The initial installation cost is billed to the property owner; however, the city will maintain the new water service from the main to the curb box indefinitely at no cost to the property owner. Connecting the water service from the curb box to the water meter in the house is the owner's responsibility and is typically performed by a licensed plumbing contractor.

For a new sewer service, city crews will install a sewer lateral from the main to a clean-out at the property line. The initial installation cost is billed to the property owner; however, the city will maintain the new sewer lateral from the main to the clean-out indefinitely at no cost to the property owner. Connecting the sewer lateral from the clean-out to the building is the owner's responsibility and is typically performed by a licensed plumbing contractor.

6. What does a typical sewer service look like?

This figure shows a typical residential sewer service in the City of Ithaca.

1. Sewer Main - The sewer main is located in the street and typically PVC or clay tile
2. Sewer Lateral - The smallest sewer lateral meeting code is a 4-inch diameter PVC pipe
3. Curb Clean-Out - The sewer clean-out is typically located in the street right-of-way. It allows city crews to clean the street side of the lateral in the event of a blockage. It is the property owner's responsibility to make sure that the clean-out is always visible and accessible. Some older homes may not have a clean-out
4. Clean-Out - Typically located near the foundation wall. This clean-out allows access to the sewer lateral from the house to the curb clean-out
5. Trap - The trap prevents any gases in the sewer from backing up into the building
6. Vent - The vent lets fresh air into the sewer lateral, preventing a vacuum condition where water might back up
7. Connection to Building Drain
8. Property Line
9. Responsibility of Property Owner - The property owner is responsible for maintaining the Curb Clean-Out (See #4) and all piping from the curb clean-out to the house
10. Responsibility of the City - Once the sewer service is brought up to code (Minimum 4-inch diameter PVC pipe with a clean-out at the curb), the city is responsible for all maintenance and repairs from the main in the street to the curb clean-out.

7. What does a typical water service look like?

This figure shows the components of a typical residential water service in the City of Ithaca.

1. Water Main - Typically cast iron or ductile iron pipe in the street
2. Corporation Stop - A valve installed while tapping into the main
3. Copper pipe - The smallest water service meeting city code is a 3/4-inch Type K copper pipe
4. Curb Valve Box - This cast iron box allows access to the curb stop (See #5). It is the property owner's responsibility to make sure that the curb box is always visible and accessible
5. Curb Stop - A valve typically installed in the street right-of-way
6. Isolation Valves - Valves are required by code on both sides of the water meter
7. Water Meter - The water meter is sized to match your water service and installed by our Meter Department
8. Property Line
9. Responsibility of Property Owner - The property owner is responsible for maintaining the curb valve box (See #4) and all piping from the curb stop into the house
10. Responsibility of the City - Once the water service is brought up to code (Minimum 3/4-inch Type K Copper), the city is responsible for all maintenance and repairs from the main in the street to the curb stop