Town of Dedham
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Sewer Line Cleaning Underway (March 2025)
The Town of Dedham, in partnership with National Water Main Cleaning, is conducting its annual sanitary sewer system cleaning in various neighborhoods in Dedham. Notice will be provided in the form of a flyer to each residence in advance of the cleaning work.
Why are we doing this? This essential maintenance helps prevent blockages, such as tree roots and debris, and enhances the flow through our sewer system while providing the Town will critical information to prevent groundwater inflow and infiltration into the system.
How long will this work take? This work project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2025.
Town of Dedham Sanitary Sewer System
The Town of Dedham maintains two separate systems to convey sewer and stormwater. The sanitary sewer system is a system of pipes designed to convey sewage from homes and businesses to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authorities’ (MWRA) network of interceptors and ultimately to the MWRA treatment plant known as Dear Island. Stormwater is collected into the storm drainage system through catch basins and culverts and transported to rivers, streams, and wetland areas. Although the two systems are sometimes both referred to as “sewers,” the sanitary sewer system is the only system designed to collect and transport sewage (generated from toilets, sinks, and industrial process water) to the wastewater treatment plant for processing. The storm drainage system functions to handle rainwater which falls on streets and parking lots, as well as groundwater and surface water. For additional information on Stormwater, please visit the Stormwater Management page.
Please note that it is a violation of Federal, State, and Local laws to discharge clean rain or groundwater into the sanitary sewer system and conversely to discharge contaminated water or sewage into the storm drain system.
View the online map showing the Town of Dedham sanitary sewer and stormwater drainage systems.
Those properties that are not connected to the Town's Sanitary Sewer System have their own private septic/cesspool systems. Proper operation and maintenance of these systems is important not only to prevent sewage backups into the house but to also prevent groundwater contamination. Feel free to download this Homeowner's Guide To Septic Systems guide to help maintain your septic/cesspool systems. For more information on septic systems, please contact the Health Department.
For additional sewer information, please select a link of the left (or above if on a mobile device).