Wastewater

Wastewater (Sewer) Emergencies

Call (863) 834-8277

Customer Service (Wastewater)

Call (863) 834-8276

Line Maintenance & Pump Stations

The Collection division is divided into two main operating sections: Line Maintenance and Pump Station

Line Maintenance

Line maintenance deals with the collection and conveyance systems which encompass approximately 149 square miles of sewer use area with 347 miles of gravity sewer and 152 miles of force mains. This system is used to deliver the raw sewage to the wastewater treatment plants.

Pump Stations

187 Pump Stations are used to assist in the conveyance of wastewater to the treatment plants. The gravity sewer lines move the wastewater by use of gravity to flow to low areas. Once in these low areas, a pump station is used to move the wastewater along until it can again flow by gravity. The lines that come out of a pump station are called force mains because the wastewater in these lines are under pressure.

Do Not Flush or Dump

Medications

The City of Lakeland Water Utilities asks residents not to flush unwanted prescription medications. Most wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceutical compounds, which can enter local waterways and impact water quality and wildlife. 

Unused or expired medications can be safely disposed of in the secure prescription drug drop box located in the Lakeland Police Department lobby, available 24/7. For needle or sharps disposal, contact the Lakeland Health Department at 863-519-7910 or visit 3241 Lakeland Hills Boulevard. 

For More Information:

• FDA Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know
• EPA How to Dispose of Medicines Properly

Wipes

Even if labeled "flushable," wet wipes should be thrown in the trash, not flushed. Unlike toilet paper, they do not break down properly and can cause clogs in household plumbing and the wastewater system.

For more information:

• Sewer Lines Constricted By “Flushable” Wipes
• North Liberty Homeowner Pays Thousands in Repairs after Sewage Clog
• Wet Wipes Box Says Flush. New York’s Sewer System Says Don’t.
• City of Lakeland Pumping Station Maintenance Video 

The City of Lakeland initially developed a grease management policy in 1995 to address a growing number of sanitary sewer overflows caused by grease blockages through the City's wastewater collection system.  Sanitary sewer overflows pose a risk to the environment and to human health.  There are currently grease interceptors required for all nonresidential establishments that have the potential to discharge wastewater containing fats, oils, or grease.  However, they are not currently installed in residential homes and therefore when cooking grease is dumped down the drain, it goes directly into our wastewater system causing blockages and many issues. 

How can you dispose of fats, oils, or grease?

• First check out our C.O.R.E. program here: lakelandgov.net/core.  This program gives you a container and a designated place to safely dispose of cooking oil
• Place in a sealed container after cooling.  Label the container "Cooking Oil-Not for Recycling" and dispose with regular garbage. 
• Let it harden and dispose of it in the garbage.
• Use paper towels to wipe residual grease or oil off of dishes, pots, and pans before washing.