City of Hampton - Department of Public Works

Overflows - FAQ's

Select a question below to see the answer on the right .

Who should I call for the following:
• Overflow
• Sewer Odor
• Request repair or replacement of manhole cover or clean-out cap.
How can I reach your 311 Customer Call Center?
What is an overflow and where do they normally occur?
What causes the manhole to overflow?
How would I know if the overflow was from a sewer manhole or from a drainage manhole?
Can I have an overflow from the sewer pipe in my yard?
Does an overflow of the sewer system pose a health risk to me?
What do I do if there is not an overflow or a stoppage, but I smell a sewer odor?
Who do I call to get a manhole cover or a clean-out cap repaired or replaced?
What kind of information do I need to give the City when I report an overflow?

Answers

Call the 311 Customer Call Center.

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 311 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton please dial (757) 727-8311. Call takers are available from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week to assist you.

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 311 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton please dial (757) 727-8311. Call takers are available from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week to assist you.

An overflow in a sewer line normally occurs from a manhole in the street. A sewer manhole is normally in the middle of the road and is the access point to the main sewer line. Overflowing sewer manholes need to be reported to the Customer Call Center at 311 immediately.

Manholes normally overflow during periods of heavy rain when excess water gets into the sewer system or when the main line gets stopped up. City Wastewater crews are putting liners in all sewer manholes to control the flow of excess water into the system. Normal sewer function does not cause manholes to overflow. Please report any sewer overflow right away to the Customer Call Center at 311.

Sewer manholes are normally found in the middle of the street and drainage manholes are close to the curb. A sewer overflow would be dirty in color and have an odor while a drainage overflow might not. Report any overflow to the City for us to investigate.

Overflowing sewage in your yard from your line is due to a stoppage in the line. The overflow will probably be coming from the clean-out on your sewer line. You can contact us between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and we will respond and investigate the problem.

Anytime raw sewage is overflowing caution needs to be taken to keep people and pets out of the waste. When City crews respond they will access the risk and take all appropriate steps to insure the public safety.

We ask that you report any odor or smell you suspect is sewage to the Customer Call Center at 311. We will investigate and take any corrective action necessary.

City Wastewater crews make these repairs and/or replacements during normal working hours during the week. You can contact the Customer Call Center at 311 to request this service.

Your name, address, telephone number, location of your tap or the manhole if you know, and whether sewage is flowing in the street or your house.