FAQs
- What do I do when I see my red light flashing and the alarm sounding or my neighbors?
- How do I call to have the sewer line located?
- Who do I call if my sewer is backing up?
- When is my monthly sewer bill due?
- Can I turn the power off to my sewer tank when I leave for the winter?
- Why do I have to hookup to the sewer system, when I live in the country?
- What is FOG?
- Why not flush everything down the toilet?
- Why do I have to pay for the repairs to my sewer tank if someone else damaged it?
- Can I cover or hide my sewer tank?
- Why are they digging in my yard?
- How close can I build to the sewer tank or line?
- Can I install a concrete driveway over the sewer line or around the sewer tank?
- Can I plant a bush or landscaping in front of the sewer control panel to help hide it?
- Can I hook my basement sump pump in to my sewer system?
- How do I request a copy of public records?
- How do I get on the meeting agenda to address the Board of Trustees?
- Does the Steuben Lakes Regional Waste District receive tax funds?
1. What do I do when I see my red light flashing and the alarm sounding or my neighbors?
Notify the District immediately at 260-665-9865 extension 409 to report the light & alarm 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Please provide your name and telephone number and the address where the light & alarm is occurring.
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2. How do I call to have the sewer line located?
You are required by Indiana law to call the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service at 811 to have the underground facilities located. This requires a 48 hour notice before any digging may occur. Visit www.indiana811.org for more information
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3. Who do I call if my sewer is backing up?
Please call the District first so if it is a sewer system issue the District can perform the necessary service. See Frequently Asked Questions Numbers 7 & 8.
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4. When is my monthly sewer bill due?
The monthly sewer payment is due on the 15th of each month. There is a 15 calendar day grace period. The payment must be in the office on or before the end of the grace period. Postmarks are not considered paid. A drop box is located just to the right of the main entrance door of the District’s administrative office located at 8119 W 150 N, Angola IN.
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5. Can I turn the power off to my sewer tank when I leave for the winter?
It is not recommended to turn off the power.
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6. Why do I have to hookup to the sewer system, when I live in the country?
The District’s purpose is to abate pollution in our watershed by providing sanitary sewer service to those located in our District and within 300 feet of our sanitary sewer collection pipes. Many times properties in these areas have wastewater that is polluting the watershed by flowing into a ditch or small stream.
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7. What is FOG?
FOG is Fats Oils and Grease. FOG can build up in pipes and lift stations causing backups and overflows. It is costly to remove once in the sanitary collection system. Customers should prevent FOG from entering any type of system whether it is an on-site or municipal sanitary sewer system.
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8. Why not flush everything down the toilet?
Feminine articles, plastics, or solid items can damage the grinder pump system. These items should not be flushed in any type of system since it is more costly to remove and dispose of once flushed. The first time something is flushed down the toilet that is not to be flushed, the District generally will not charge for the service call but if this occurs the second time the District will charge for the service call.
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9. Why do I have to pay for the repairs to my sewer tank if someone else damaged it?
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to protect the sanitary sewer facilities on each property. Many times the damage is done by a contractor that the property owner hired to perform some type of work on the property.
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10. Can I cover or hide my sewer tank?
No, the grinder pump tank can not be covered since maintenance personnel would need access for service or repair. The same applies to sanitary sewer manholes that may be located near the road right-of-way. The District will charge for the service call if the grinder pump tank is buried.
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11. Why are they digging in my yard?
Generally the maintenance technicians are digging to replace a check valve or to repair a leaking pipe. The District will restore the area after the soil has settled. This process can be shortened if the property owner can water this area to speed up the soil settling in the dig area.
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12. How close can I build to the sewer tank or line?
The District must have five feet around the grinder pump tank and five feet on each side of the sanitary sewer lateral pipe for service and repair.
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13. Can I install a concrete driveway over the sewer line or around the sewer tank?
No, the District needs to have unobstructed access to the sanitary sewer lateral pipe and the grinder pump tank.
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14. Can I plant a bush or landscaping in front of the sewer control panel to help hide it?
No, the National Electrical Code requires the control box to be within sight and have a certain amount of clearance at the opening of the control box for service & repair.
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15. Can I hook my basement sump pump in to my sewer system?
No, a sump pump is not to be connected to any type of system since the passage of the “Clean Water Act of 1972”. Eave spouts, perimeter drains or similar surface drainage systems are not to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. However a lift station that lifts the sanitary sewer water only from a lower level is allowed to be connected.
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16. How do I request a copy of public records?
The Steuben Lakes Regional Waste District requires that all “Access to Public Records Act” requests to inspect and/or copy be in written form identifying with reasonable particularity the record being requested. Any person listed on the written request may inspect and copy the public records during the regular business hours of our agency if space is available and written request has been made. The District will notify the person making the request when the records will be available so the time can be scheduled for inspection and copying. Subject to the privacy laws.
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17. How do I get on the meeting agenda to address the Board of Trustees?
You must submit a letter to our office one week prior to the meeting describing in detail what you would like to discuss. If it is something that can be answered by the administrative staff you will not be placed on the meeting agenda. Many times the staff can promptly answer your questions.
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18. Does the Steuben Lakes Regional Waste District receive tax funds?
The Steuben Lakes Regional Waste District does not receive tax funds. The District operates from the monthly sewer rates collected called revenue.
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