Our Services

We are responsible for collecting, treating, and protecting wastewater and stormwater for Michigan City and surrounding service areas. Our work keeps the community healthy and environmentally sound.

In case of sewer emergency, call us first!

A Sewer Emergency can be a sewer backup, street or yard sinkhole/cave in, manhole overflow, or manhole cover issue. Call our 24/7 phone line first, day or night.

(219) 874-7799, Ext. #1

Services at a Glance

Our core services work together to protect public health, maintain essential infrastructure, and safeguard local waterways.

Collection System

Underground sewer lines and lift stations that move wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant safely.

Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater is treated and cleaned to meet environmental standards before being safely returned to the environment.

Stormwater Services

Stormwater runoff is managed to reduce flooding, protect waterways, and meet MS4 permit requirements.

Stay on Track with Refuse Services

Get accurate trash pickup schedules, recycling rules, and holiday changes in one place. You can also learn what items are accepted curbside, how leaf and compost services work, and when to place materials out for collection.

SL-RAT acoustic sewer inspection equipment used by the Michigan City Sanitary District to assess underground sewer lines.

Collection System

The collection system is the network of underground sewer pipes, lift stations, and related infrastructure that carries wastewater from homes and businesses to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This system operates continuously and requires regular inspection to function properly.

District crews monitor and maintain miles of sewer lines and dozens of lift stations to reduce the risk of backups, overflows, and service disruptions. Preventive maintenance and modern inspection techniques allow issues to be identified early, protecting private property and public infrastructure. Key responsibilities include:

  • Operation and maintenance of lift stations

  • Emergency response to sewer backups and blockages

  • Preventive maintenance to reduce overflows or system failures

Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastewater collected throughout the District before it is safely returned to the environment. Using a multi-stage treatment process, the plant removes pollutants and harmful substances to protect water quality and public health.

Highly trained operators and laboratory staff continuously monitor treatment processes to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. Routine testing, reporting, and system upgrades help ensure reliable operation and environmental responsibility. Key responsibilities include:

  • Treating wastewater to meet regulatory standards

  • Continuous monitoring and laboratory testing

  • Compliance with EPA and IDEM requirements

  • Environmental reporting and transparency

Stormwater flowing into a curb inlet during heavy rain, illustrating drainage and stormwater management.

Stormwater Services (MS4)

Stormwater services focus on managing rainwater runoff to reduce flooding, protect infrastructure, and improve water quality. Unlike wastewater, stormwater flows directly into local waterways, making proper management essential to environmental protection.

The Sanitary District administers the Michigan City MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) program to comply with state and federal regulations. This includes maintaining stormwater infrastructure, enforcing ordinances, and providing public education to reduce pollution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services and schedules.

To establish service it goes hand in hand with the Water Department. As our billing is handled through them, they can assist on setting up your pre-existing service. Please contact (219) 874-3228 Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Within our City Limits, you will need to apply for a lateral permit which is usually completed by your contractor. Questions? Please call (219) 874-7799

Flushable wipes are not flushable!  Although the packaging may say wipes are flushable, that isn’t always accurate. Wipes do not break down like toilet paper, causing havoc on your septic or sewer system.  When flushed down the toilet, wipes can cause major backups and clogs within the sewer lines. The toilet is not a trash can, so place wipes where they belong, in a real trash can.

Sounds from your plumbing system, including burping, hissing, and gurgling, happen because of air movement. The cause is usually a pressure imbalance caused by flowing water, which pushes air in front of it and leaves a vacuum behind. Vents in your system are supposed to prevent this, so hearing these sounds could mean something needs to be fixed.

A sewer lateral is a pipe that carries wastewater (indoor water coming from toilets, washing machines, sinks, showers, etc.) from homes or businesses to the mainline sewer. The mainline sewer is usually located under the street; it may also be located under an alley or in an easement on private property.

The property owner has the sole responsibility for clearing stoppages, inspecting, maintaining and repairing the sewer lateral to avoid negative impacts to the operation and maintenance of the City’s sewer system. It’s the City’s responsibility to maintain service from the property line to our main line.

The lateral from your home is privately owned and could be built from several different types of materials utilized by contractors over the years. The City’s cleaning equipment is quite aggressive and is designed for commercial use. Depending on the type of material used in a private lateral, the City’s equipment may damage the line.

You can contact us after hours or on weekends/holidays at (219) 874-7799 and they will contact the City’s on-call personnel.

City employees are not permitted to recommend a specific plumbing contractor. Helpful information on finding a reliable contractor is provided to residents by inquiring at City Hall to see if the contractor is registered with the City, licensed, bonded, and insured.

The City does not have service cleanouts nor service laterals in backyards. The property owner is responsible for any sewer lateral maintenance in backyards.

Most contractors will contact us directly, if not please call (219) 874-7799 at any time. The City will dispatch a crew to inspect the line and assess the lateral. If there are roots in the line, they will be cleared.

The City storm drains can become clogged with leaves and debris. Normally, it can be cleared up by the use of a rake. Clogs beyond that may require further clearing and can be called in to our dispatcher at (219) 874-7799.

Sewer gas is a natural byproduct of human waste breaking down in the sewer system. It contains a mix of gases, including hydrogen sulfide and methane, which can produce a strong and unpleasant odor. Many people describe it as similar to the smell of rotten eggs or spoiled food. Your home’s plumbing system is designed to prevent these odors from entering your living space. It does this through two key features:

Traps: U-shaped sections of pipe located under sinks, floor drains, and other fixtures. These hold a small amount of water that forms a seal to block gases from entering the home.

Vents: Pipes that allow sewer gas to safely escape through the roof and help maintain air pressure in the plumbing system.

There are only three things that should ever be flushed down your toilet: pee, poop, and toilet paper. Flushing anything besides the three P’s can clog pipes and jam pumps resulting in costly repairs. Never put any of these items down your toilet or drain:

– Unused drugs/medications
– Disposable diapers
– Fats, grease, oils
– Condoms
– Tampons and sanitary napkins
– “Flushable” wipes
– Paper towels
– Car fluids/chemicals
– Coffee grounds
– Eggshells
– Paint

Your sewer bill is based on your water usage amount. Using less water in your home will reduce your bill. Some examples of how to save water include taking shorter showers, turning off the water while brushing your teeth, and fixing running toilets and leaking faucets.

Our plant and offices are located at 1100 E 8th St, Michigan City, IN 46360. We love to give tours to schools, civic groups, and scout troops. Give us a call at (219) 874-7799 to inquire.

Smell something strange? We want to know about it. Call (219) 874-7799. For emergencies such as gas or smoke, dial 911.

Your bill is based on a Winter Monthly Average (WMA). The WMA is a standard for wastewater billing based on your water usage during the winter and is updated every year.

The reason why your bill is based on water usage during the winter is simple. Many households use more water in the spring, summer, and fall than in winter. And that makes sense. During the warmer months, water is often used outside the house on things like grass, gardens, or filling pools for kids to play in on hot days.

Water outside the house does not enter the sewer system, so you shouldn’t be charged for it.

The untreated (raw) wastewater flows by gravity through sewer lines (mains) from houses, commercial, and industrial sites throughout Michigan City to our plant. After being treated, a high-quality, clean effluent is discharged into Trail Creek which is located right behind our plant.

The manholes circular metal lid usually located in the middle (sometimes to the side) of the roadway are for access to the sanitary sewer pipe, and the property of the Sanitary District. Only authorized District personnel can remove the manhole. Unauthorized entry into manholes is extremely dangerous and strictly prohibited.

Please report a missing or damaged manhole cover to the District immediately by calling (219) 874-7799, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Need Assistance or Have a Concern?

Browse our services, projects, and resources pages for quick answers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need to report an issue, please reach out and we’ll be glad to help.