The low-pressure sewage system servicing your home is part of the larger Town of Tonawanda sewage collection system. Every day of the year, hundreds of miles of pipe carry sewage to the Wastewater Treatment Facility located on Two Mile Creek Road.

The grinder pump in your yard is an important part of the system. The Town of Tonawanda uses several types of collection systems. Each has been designed to best serve the customer in a particular area. Topography, the physical features of the earth and soils play an important role in design selection. In areas where sewage cannot flow downhill by gravity, pumps are used to force sewage through the lines to the reclamation facility.

Your home is one served by a pressure system, which uses a grinder pump to grind the sewage from your home (much like the garbage disposal in your kitchen) and push the sewage through small plastic pipes to the larger lines in the street.

Every so often, town Water / Sewer Maintenance staff opens fire hydrants around the town to allow water to flow through the water mains. Our hydrant flushing program is very important to our water system. It is an integral part of our ongoing effort to deliver the highest quality water possible. It serves the following purposes: 

• It flushes sediments from mainline pipes (which enhances water quality)
• It verifies the proper operation of fire hydrants and valves
• It helps us find weaknesses in our water system
• It checks for closed valves and weak flows in the mainlines

More Information

Sump pumps are required to be installed in every house that has a basement at the time of sale of the property. At this time, the Town Inspectors will also check the house for smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance. Commercial properties must also comply with storm water regulations at the time of transfer of property. 

The following items will be checked for compliance: 

• floor drains                                        
• perimeter tile                                     
• sump crock
• sump pump
• check valve
• discharge pipe
• dedicated electrical circuit
• smoke detectors
• carbon monoxide detectors

Water Billing
Residents of the Town of Tonawanda receive water/sewer billings quarterly. Industrial users receive billings monthly. Included on each bill will be the billing period, utility consumption during the period, capital improvement fee, the amount due for services and the payment due date. 

Water/sewer bills may be paid by U.S. mail by using the envelope included with your statement or paid in person Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at:
Town Clerk’s Office
Municipal Building, Room 14
2919 Delaware Ave.
Kenmore, NY 14217

• Drop-box available on Delaware Rd. side of the Municipal Building (24/7).
     

Additionally, you may pay your water/sewer bill with check or money order payments Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at:
Water and Sewer Maintenance Facility
525 Belmont Ave.
Tonawanda, NY 14223

Water Rates
The following water rates are effective as of January 1, 2023 consumption.

Miscellaneous Charges

• New service: $20
• Inspection and disconnection of abandoned water service: $125
• Hydrant use permit: $200

Report an Emergency

To report a water or sewer emergency, call (716) 874-0490.

Water and sewer foremen provide the first response to utility related issues. They evaluate the situation and resolve the issue, call in crews to resolve it or refer the customer to the appropriate source for assistance.