Did you know that each spring, when many begin fishing, Elk River Wastewater staff kicks off their biyearly jetting season? No, they’re not flying to exotic locations in a fancy Learjet or skipping around Lake Orono on a Sea-Doo - rather they’re making sure the city’s wastewater pipes are clean and functioning as they should. Jetting season starts in the spring and typically lasts through September. This process involves opening half of all manholes in the city (the other half is done the following year) and blasting the pipes with a high pressure stream of water.
Here’s why you should care about this – the high pressure water spray from the cleaning process in the pipe under the street can create a suction that typically is released through the toilet vent on your roof. If that vent is clogged, the pressure may vent through your toilet or floor drains. Best practice to prevent any potential blow back in your toilet (which would be the water from your toilet bowl, not sewage from the street) is to be sure your roof vent is clear of leaves, bird nests, etc. Void a trip on your roof to verify the vent is open, which most people don’t do in the entire life of owning their homes, best practice is to keep your toilets clean and lids down if possible.