Department of Public Works
Division of Pure Waters

Sewer Problems & Complaints
Important

Please call the Pure Waters Office to report sewer problems during normal business hours. If your concern is an emergency that may affect safety, public health, or the environment, we are available evenings and weekends by contacting the Colonie Police Department. Please do not e-mail your sewer problem or complaint as our e-mail account is not monitored continuously.

Sanitary sewer problems should be reported to the Division of Pure Waters prior to engaging the services of a plumber or drain cleaning company. Our staff are available to provide technical support and to help determine if the public sewer is functioning properly.

Prior to reporting a sewer problem, please have the following information ready:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • Your e-mail address
  • Address of the problem
  • Owner of property (if different)
  • Nature of the problem (see links below for lists of problem specific questions)
  • Any immediate threats to life, property, or the environment
Additional information for typical problems with home/business sewer

Odors

  • Are the odors inside or outside of the building?
  • Does the odor smell of rotten eggs?
    Danger

    If the odor is inside the building AND has any smell of rotten eggs, evacuate the building immediately and call 911. Pure Waters staff will only respond to this type of call through the 911 system along with the appropriate resources to ensure your and our employees’ safety. A rotten egg smell is an indicator of a potentially poisonous and explosive gas called hydrogen sulfide.

  • Please try to classify the smell as wet earth, ammonia, decaying flesh, septic, etc.
  • How long have you noticed the odor?
  • Is the odor present all the time or intermittently? If intermittently, when? Do you smell it now?
  • Can you identify the source of the odor?

Overflowing Toilets/Sinks/Showers

  • How long have you noticed the overflowing fixture(s)?
  • If you shut off all water use, does the overflowing slow or does it continue at the same rate?
  • Is the overflow from one fixture or multiple fixtures?
  • Is/are the overflowing fixture/s on the same floor or different floors?
  • Do you have a basement?
  • Do you have fixtures in the basement?
  • Do you have any overflow in the basement?
  • Is there any property damage as a result of the overflow.

Drain(s) Running Slow

  • How long have you noticed the problem?
  • Is the problem from in one fixture or multiple fixtures?
  • Do you have a basement?
  • Do you have fixtures in the basement?
  • Do you have any overflow in the basement?
Additional information for typical problems with public sewers

Odors

  • Please try to classify the smell as rotten egg, wet earth, ammonia, decaying flesh, septic, etc.
  • How long have you noticed the odor?
  • Is the odor present all the time or intermittently? If intermittently, when? Do you smell it now?
  • Can you identify the source of the odor?

Overflowing Manhole

  • Where exactly is the manhole located (center of road, side of road, behind house)?
  • When did you notice the problem?

Manhole Covers (noisy, too high, too low, etc.)

  • Is the cover square or round?
  • Does the cover have large holes (to intentionally take in rainwater) or small holes (like vents)?
  • Is there any immediate danger to the public (like a missing or severely broken cover)?

Contact

(518) 783-2766, ext. 4
OFF-HOURS / EMERGENCY: (518) 783-2744
(POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Public Operations Center
First Floor
347 Old Niskayuna Road
Latham, NY 12110-2286