Annual sewer cleaning and televising throughout Steinbach is set to begin today, Tuesday, October 10, 2017. Over approximately 10 days, almost 10,000 metres of pipe will be cleaned and televised.

The work is routine preventative maintenance of the sanitary sewer system. Sections to be cleaned are determined based on information gained during monthly inspections, last cleaning or televising date, and critical level of service. The pipes are cleaned by a high-pressure flushing system that runs fresh water through the lines to clear away any sedimentary deposits. Vacuum trucks pick up water and sediments further down the line. A remote-controlled self-propelled camera vehicle is then sent through to inspect the line and ensure that the pipes are clean and the infrastructure is in good condition.

Affected residents will receive a courtesy notification on their door before their street is worked on. The work may take place anytime during the two days following receipt of the notice. If any problems are identified, another notice will be given at that time. The City thanks all residents in advance for their cooperation with the maintenance of our waste water infrastructure.

The following list of streets that the City is focusing on this year:

  • Elm Avenue
  • Second Street
  • PTH 12 North (north of Clear Springs Road)
  • Clear Springs Road
  • Third Street (Friesen to Barkman)
  • Hanover Street (Reimer to Hespeler)
  • First Street (Brandt to Southwood)
  • First Street (Brandt to PTH 52 W)
  • Whitby Crescent
  • Fairmont Crescent
  • Barkman Avenue (Hespeler to Henry)
  • Henry Street (Goosen to Kroeker)
  • Henry Place
  • Henry Street (Kroeker to Loewen)
  • Poplar Crescent
  • Reimer Avenue (Main St. to Hanover)
  • Reimer Avenue W (Brandt to Giesbrecht)
  • McKenzie Avenue (Brandt to 57 McKenzie)

If your street is listed above, you will receive notice before the work takes place. Homeowners should take the following precautions:

  • Cover all toilet bowls (under the lid) with saran wrap to prevent water from spraying in some cases where the vent might be plugged or the main lines are extremely dirty.
  • Sinks & Bathtubs – Insert the plugs (in all sinks and bathtubs).
  • Floor Traps in the Basement – Place a piece of plastic under the cover and put something heavy on top of the trap.
  • Odours – If you experience an unpleasant odour in your house after the flushing process, run some water in all sinks with traps, flush the toilet, pour some water into the floor trap in the basement and open the windows for a short period of time. This should eliminate the odour.

Sewer lines on some other streets may be cleaned if time and budget allow. Houses along those streets will be notified a day or two before their street is worked on.

Should you require any further information, please contact the City’s Waterworks Department at 204-346-6211, between 8am to 5pm, and 204-346-6232 after 5pm. If you do not get an answer, please leave a message with your contact information so that a staff member can call you back.