In an effort to save money and reduce costs, the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA) and the towns agreed to consolidate the billing of water and sewer services. Because the sewer portion of your bill is determined by gallons of water used, the installation of a second meter to measure sewerage would increase costs.

You are paying for domestic waste to be collected from your home and delivered to the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA) for proper treatment and discharge.

Customers are responsible for the portion of the sewer line, or “lateral”, from the residence up to the cleanout, a small white cap which is normally visible inside the curb line. The cleanout is the property of the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA), along with the portion of the line extending to the sewer “main” in the road.

Once a back-up is indicated, contact the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA) immediately. While you are waiting for one of our staff members to come out and assess the situation, please contact your neighbors to see if they are experiencing any problems also.

If there is a problem with the main sewer line, the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA) is responsible to fix it. However, if there is a problem with the sewer lateral, the homeowner is responsible to fix it.

Once the problem is corrected and the sewage has dissipated in your home, you may begin the clean-up process.

Clean and disinfect washable surfaces that have come in contact with sewage.

Wash with soap and water, then disinfect with a mixture of a quarter cup of household bleach per gallon of water.

Discard upholstered furniture, mattresses, bedding and stuffed toys soaked in flood waters.

Sweep or vacuum soaked and soiled carpeting, then shampoo it with a commercial rug cleaner.

Clean, dry and check your furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and other appliances before using them. Don’t handle electrical equipment in wet areas. Call a plumber or an electrician for professional service.

A common reason is the lack of required traps or vents. Every fixture should have a trap and a vent pipe to keep smells from entering the home. If traps and vent pipes are missing, you may need the help of a plumber to install them immediately.

Another common reason is broken seals around the toilet that allow water to siphon or dry out the traps – thus allowing smells to enter the home. There could be an air leak at the wax ring of the toilet or in the vent pipe. Rotted or damp wood can also cause the smell. Check to see if the toilet is tightly sealed to the floor. Grab the bowl of the toilet and try to slide it from side to side. It should resist a few pounds of pressure. If the toilet rocks from side to side, the wax ring has failed. You may need the help of a plumber to fix these problems.

A third common reason for inside odors is a dry trap. Pouring a quart of water into all sinks, showers/tubs and floor drains may correct this problem. All drains to a sewer system  have a “P” shaped trap that is usually filled with water. The trap provides a seal to keep out sewer gas. If your basement floor drain is rarely used, water evaporates from the trap over time. Eventually the seal is eliminated, allowing sewer gas (and smell) into your home. The solution is easy: pour water into the drain.

If you see sewage overflowing from a sewer manhole out in the street, immediately contact the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority. Keep all persons and animals away from the overflow.

During business hours, please call 336.835.9819.

Nights, weekends and holidays, please call 336.366.9819.

If you would like to schedule a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant please contact Susan White at 336.835.9819.

If there is a problem with the main sewer line, the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority (YVSA) is responsible to fix it. However, if there is a problem with the sewer lateral, the homeowner is responsible to fix it.

Once the problem is corrected and the sewage has dissipated in your home, you may begin the clean-up process.

211 Marion Road in Elkin, North Carolina

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