Water and Sewer

Informational Fliers

Sewer system bears the cost of flushed wipes

Disposing of fats, oils and grease properly

The City of Northville owns and maintains its own water and sewer systems. Water is purchased from Great Lakes Water Authority as is the case in most Metro Detroit communities. The City’s sanitary sewer system empties into a major Wayne County transmission line which takes sanitary waste to the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant.


Water and Sewer Rates
Cross-Connection Program
Automatic Payment Authorization Form
Dual Meter Option
Receive utility bill by email
Billing Schedule
Sewer Overflow or Backup Information

To view your account online, click here.

Below: Zones of cross-connection inspections.

zones of city


Water and Sewer Rates


Rate per unit (1,000 gallons)
   Effective July 1, 2023  
Water $ 11.85

Sewer $ 8.85
Dual Sewer
$ 4.78


Bi-monthly Service Charge $4.84.  This revenue is generated to offset the cost of reading the meters and the billing process.


Bi-monthly Meter Replacement Charge $6.67.  This charge covers the cost of the debt service requirement for the current year for the meter replacement program. 


*NOTE: Bills mailed in August for June/July water & sewer will reflect an average rate charge between June (old) and July (new) rates.

Dual Meter Option

The City of Northville provides for residents to purchase a second meter to be used strictly for outside watering. Water charges are the same as for indoor use, but the dual sewer rate is $4.78.

  • Dual Meter Process
    Download
  • Dual Meter Agreement
    Download
  • Meter Placement Diagram
    Download
  • City of Northville Dual Water Meter Policy
    Download
  • For all Dual Meter applications you will need the Plumbing Permit
    Download
Billing Schedule

Everyone is billed on a bi-monthly schedule (Six times per year).

Meters read first week of (approximately)
Bills Mailed (approx.)
Payment Due (approx.)
February 3rd week in February
3rd week in March
April
3rd week in April
3rd week in May
June
3rd week in June
3rd week in July
August 3rd week in August
3rd week in September
October 3rd week in October
3rd week in November
December 3rd week in December
3rd week in January

E-Bill customers receive bills on or before the mailing date. Click here to become an eBill customer.

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What to do if a sewer backup occurs
In 2001, the State of Michigan adopted Public Act 222 of 2001, known as sewer backup legislation. The legislation clarifies when municipalities are liable for sewer backups, sets standards to determine the extent to which a municipality is liable for sewer backups, and established a process to seek compensation when a backup occurs.

Persons making a claim for property damage or physical injury must prove that the public sewer had a defect. In addition, it must be proven that the governmental agency knew, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known about the defect, and that the governmental agency, having the legal authority to do so, failed to take reasonable steps in a reasonable amount of time to repair, correct, or remedy the defect.

If you experience an overflow or backup of a sewage disposal system or storm water system, you must file a written claim with the City of Northville within 45 days after the overflow or backup is discovered. Notice should be mailed to the City of Northville, Attn: City Clerk, 215 W. Main Street, Northville, Michigan, 48167. Claim forms may be obtained by calling the City of Northville Department of Public Works at 248-449-9930.

When presenting a written claim, you will be required to provide the following items:
  1. Copies of receipts for cleaning costs, plumbing bills, or other bills.
  2. List of the damaged items and receipts to prove the ages of your items. Reimbursement for the Actual Cash Value of damaged items is the maximum amount payable.
  3. Please make an attempt to provide pictures of anything you wish to claim that was damaged due to the sewer backup.
The filing of a claim does not guarantee reimbursement. 
Assessing where the backup occurred



 Printer Friendly Overflow or Backup 
 Information Sheet


A sewer backup is never pleasant to deal with. While sewer backups may occur for a number of reasons, they are usually caused by internal plumbing problems in the home or private line (sewer lateral – the line that runs from the home to the street), and in rare cases, the public sewer line. If you experience a sewer backup, the situation must be dealt with in a very careful manner. If not handled properly, health and safety problems can occur, as well as significant property damage.

First steps if a sewer backup occurs
  1. If you discover an overflow or sanitary sewer backup in your home, which does not appear related to an internal plumbing problem, immediately contact the City of Northville Department of Public Works (DPW) at 248-449-9930 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. After business hours, during weekends or on holidays, call Northville Community Dispatch non-emergency at 248-349-1234.

  2. A DPW maintenance crew will be dispatched to your address to determine if the blockage is in the City main line or your private line (sewer lateral). If a blockage is found in the city sewer, DPW will perform any cleaning or repair to that line. This work will be done as soon as possible and you will be kept informed about what is being done.

  3. If the sewer main is found to be clear, it is the responsibility of the property owner to call a licensed plumber or drain service to correct the problem. The City does not have the legal authority or obligation to repair a private sewer lead. City employees cannot recommend any plumber. You may want to get several estimates from reputable plumbers and check their references. 
Cleaning up after sewer backups
Sewer backup can lead to disease, destruction of your valuables, damage to your house, and the risk of electrocution. Proper responses to sewer backups can greatly minimize losses from negative health effects and property damage. Every backup is unique and will require different responses but there are some universal principles that can be applied to all situations. Prompt cleanup of affected property can help minimize the inconvenience and damage.

Health and Safety Issues
Please be aware of potential health and safety problems when addressing the cleanup of your home. Sewage and floodwaters contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other hazardous microorganisms, which can cause disease. These “germs” can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes. Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Odors from sewage backups are unpleasant but not harmful. The speedy removal and cleanup of sewer water is very important and necessary.

To protect yourself and your family during cleanup, please follow these guidelines:
  • Avoid skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.
  • If you should suffer a cut while working in flood or sewer water, contact your physician or the Health Department about receiving a tetanus shot.
  • Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by sewage backup.
  • Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
  • Keep contaminated objects, water, and hands away from mucous membranes (mouth, eyes, and nose).
  • Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before eating, and immediately following contact with sewer water or contaminated objects/surfaces.
  • Disinfect all areas and equipment that came into floodwater contact with a solution of 8 tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. This is a very effective method of removing odors and bacteria. Bleach solutions are the most effective disinfectants, but may cause discoloration of many materials.
 Poison graphic
Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia. 
This combination produces poisonous gas.




Tips for DIY clean-up following a sewer backup
Do not attempt to stop the flow of sewer backup through the floor drain or any other sewer drain. Any added obstruction could cause serious damage to your household drainage system and possibly a catastrophic rupture of the household sewer drainage system.

Because of the unsanitary nature of a sewer backup in the home, it is essential that all affected areas where the backup occurred be cleaned and disinfected as soon as possible. Generally, small household items that are affected or exposed to the sewage should be discarded. It is important to make a list of discarded items, and if possible, provide photographs for insurance purposes.

All affected appliances should be inspected prior to putting them back into operation. Many private companies can handle the cleanup for you. Ideally, you should arrange for a professional, sanitized cleanup of your affected property. Check area listings for “Fire and Water Damage Restoration." Some companies will also inspect and repair major appliances (furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers). If a private company is contracted to do cleaning and/or restoration, keep all receipts for insurance purposes. 

If you choose to clean up your property yourself, here is a list of recommendations:
  • Potential health and safety hazards must be identified and eliminated prior to implementing cleaning or restoration procedures. Before entering the affected area, assess the potential for electrical shock hazards and gas leaks.
  • The cleanup and drying of the basement should be done expediently to minimize mold and other problems.
  • Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, gloves and eye protection during cleanup and removal. To remove gloves turn them inside out, without touching the contaminated exterior. Dispose of them properly.
  • Treat all water-soaked surfaces, furnishings and items as contaminated until properly cleaned and sanitized.
  • Do not use any electrical equipment while standing in water.
  • Wet-vacuum to remove spillage.
  • Operate wet vacuums only when plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter or ground fault equipped outlet.
  • Remove and discard upholstered furniture and porous wood furniture stained by sewage.
  • Discard or properly wash and disinfect toys, clothing and other contaminated objects.
  • Sanitize and clean hardwood furniture, then thoroughly wipe, dry and apply and oil-based wood polish.
  • Ventilate the affected area with floor fans and a dehumidifier, if available, to properly dry the area. If it has not been directly contacted by water, activate the building’s heating, ventilation and doors when conditions are favorable.
  • Clean appliances and/or ductwork. If electric motors, wiring or insulation have been saturated, have a qualified service technician remove the motor, dry it, and inspect for damage before plugging it back in and turning it on.
  • Do not use heat to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded water damage may result
  • If your basement walls are finished with drywall, all the areas contacted by water must be removed and disposed of within 24 hours. Once these items get wet, they retain moisture long enough to grow mold.  Removing the wallboard also allows air to circulate around the wood studs so that they dry completely and will not need to be replaced.
  • Sanitize and repair, or remove and discard paneling, wallboard or wall coverings.
  • Unplug all electrical appliances, small electrical devices on wet floor covering or other wet areas and turn off the circuit breakers supplying the electricity to affected areas.
  • Turn off the gas (or other fuel source) to your furnace or heater and hot water heater.
  • Avoid flushing toilets or using other water connected to appliances or fixtures. The discharge from these items may back up into the basement.
  • After the waters have receded, flush out and disinfect plumbing fixtures before resuming normal use.
  • Do not track sewage from the basement into living areas of the house.
  • Keep children and animals out of the affected area.
  • Take before-and-after photos.
  • If a dishwasher, washing machine, shower, bathtub, toilet or other water fixture is operating, shut it off immediately. Avoid flushing toilets or using other water connected to appliances or fixtures. The discharge from these items may back up into the basement.
  • Move any uncontaminated items away from the affected areas.

  • Treatment of rugs, carpeting and drapery 

    For smaller, loose rugs, and wall-to-wall carpet installed on racks, in-plant cleaning is the best option. The germicidal and cleaning treatment must be thorough. Both the carpet and the floor surface have to be completely cleaned and decontaminated. Germicides used for this have to be effective even against the bacteria of the E-coli family, which is present in contaminated sewage. For wall-to-wall carpets that are glued down, cleaning on-site may not be completely effective and in-plant cleaning may not be practical. Contaminated padding is best discarded and should not be reused. Steam clean or dispose of drapes.