Sewer backup: who should you call?
A private drain, a shared building line and the public sewer can require different contacts. Start with what you can see, then confirm which utility serves your address.
Official contacts checked September 14, 2026. See sources
- Inside the home
- Shared building areas
- Street / public sewer
- Indoors or shared areas: coordinate access.
- Street: confirm the provider for that address.
Stay out of affected areas and keep children and pets away. The City of Fort Lauderdale advises avoiding contact with sewage. City guidance
Odor without a visible backup? See the separate odor guide for the next step.
Sewer backup: drain service, landlord or utility?
The home, shared building areas and street can need different coordination. The symptom does not establish who maintains the pipe or who pays.
- Home
- Building
- Public sewer
What happens. Where it happens. What you tried.
Who should I call for a sewer backup?
This guide organizes the next steps; it cannot locate the blockage. You do not need to submit personal details to use it.
Choose a situation, or read the contact options below.
Contact your utility
Report the location and what you can see to the sewer provider for that address. Use the official contacts below. Do not open manhole covers.
See official utility contacts →Notify building management
Share the unit, affected fixtures and whether other units report the same problem. Management can coordinate shared-line access and authorize work. Also report any street overflow to the utility.
See the building checklist →Arrange a private-drain assessment
A drain service can assess the indoor blockage. Explain whether one fixture or several are affected, and whether it has happened before. Also report any visible public-system problem to the utility.
View sewer-line service →Gather observations before deciding
Note which fixtures are affected, when it started, and whether neighbors or other units have the same problem. Check your bill or ask management for the utility provider. A ZIP code alone does not identify the provider or responsibility.
See contacts and options →Sewer overflow reporting: local utility contacts
Use the provider that serves your address. These are public-agency numbers, separate from our business. Confirm the provider on your bill or with building management; your mailing city can differ.
City of Hollywood
Underground Utilities: reports of backups or line breaks.
After hours: 954-967-4357
The backup-specific FAQ lists Monday–Thursday after 6 p.m., Fridays, weekends and holidays. Official FAQMiami-Dade Water and Sewer
24-hour water and sewer emergency call center.
305-665-7477 is Customer Care; the county lists a separate emergency number.
Official county contactsCity of Fort Lauderdale
24-hour Neighbor Call Center.
If your provider is not listed, use the emergency contact on your bill or ask management to confirm sewer service. This directory does not cover every South Florida utility.
Sewer backup in a condo or apartment building
- Which fixtures are affected, and whether using one makes water rise elsewhere.
- When it started, whether it recurs, and any previous work or products used.
- Whether neighboring properties or other units report the same issue.
- Who can authorize work and coordinate access, elevators and parking.
Do not post entry codes or neighbors’ personal details. A symptom pattern helps organize the visit; it does not prove the cause or who must pay.
Who is responsible for a blocked sewer line?
In Hollywood, the city FAQ describes owner maintenance of the sanitary connection through to the city main and an exception for certain traffic-related damage repaired by the city. Do not assume responsibility ends at the property line. Read the city explanation and §52.07(B)(1).
Read responsibility and authorization details
For a shared condo line or a rented home, ask management or the owner to confirm authorization and scope before scheduling work. This guide does not determine contractual liability, insurance coverage or repair costs.
Need your private sewer line cleared?
Describe the problem, your ZIP code and when you need help. Availability and next steps are confirmed before scheduling.
Request an assessment →Sources and scope
- City of Hollywood — Public Utilities FAQ
- Miami-Dade County — Contact Water and Sewer
- City of Fort Lauderdale — Sewage Overflow Clean-up Procedures
Contacts checked against the official pages on the date above; test calls were not made. Consult the source for changes. This private business is not affiliated with these agencies.