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Public Works > Waste Water

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1. How do you disinfect wastewater?

Disinfection is a process by which microorganisms present in the wastewater are killed using chlorine, Ultraviolet light or Ozone.

The secondary effluent is pretty clean, but it still contains large number of invisible harmful microorganisms that need to be destroyed before discharge into the Neosho River. To destroy the microbes, The City of Miami currently practices disinfection using Ultraviolet light.

The effluent (treated water) is decanted to an Ultra Violet light system. The Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant uses the UV system instead of chlorine for water disinfection. The effluent then passes through a set of steps (cascade) to bring up the oxygen levels. All effluent discharged into the Neosho River must meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) criteria which include DO (dissolved oxygen), BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), Fecal Coliform (disease causing bacteria), and many others.

2. How is Wastewater Treated?

The type of wastewater treatment used in Miami is called the “Sequencing Batch Reactors” Activated Sludge Process. This is a biological process in which naturally occurring living microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa, tiny plants and animals) are maintained at a very high population level. They quickly consume the dissolved and suspended organic material carried over from the primary treatment of the incoming wastewater as a source of food. This process promotes the formation of biological masses that clump together by adhesion.

3. How often do you test the treated wastewater?

The final effluent is monitored daily. In-house laboratory staff performs sampling and analysis for process control and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System compliance.

4. My sewer is stopped and backing up, who do I call?

First verify that the issue is on the entire house and not just one sink. If so, call 918-542-6685 to report your issue. Please provide your address and a return phone number. We will check our sewer main and jet-rod it if necessary. If the problem turns out to be the property owners, you will need to call a plumber.

5. What does the Waste water Collection Department do?

The Wastewater Collection Department is responsible for maintaining approximately 200 miles of main sewer lines ranging in size from six inches to forty-two inches in diameter, plus 6 lift stations.

6. What if I have sewer odor in my house?

Run fresh water in all sinks to fill traps inside the house. If this does not cure the problem, check the toilet and make sure it’s firmly attached to the floor, the wax seal around the toilet may be compromised. If this does not work call 918-542-6685 and we will send someone out to assist you with the problem. It may be a situation where you will need to call a plumber immediately. Sewer gas may be harmful if breathed over a period of time.

7. What if the service lateral is broken in the City's right of way or easement?

If the service lateral is broken then notify the Wastewater Collection Department. The City is responsible for the structural integrity of the sewer main and sewer main blockages.

8. What is a lift station and how does it work?

A lift station is basically a pump that moves sewerage through the system. Sewerage is gravity fed into a main line, and those lines will be pumped at the lift station from that location to another location, and then downstream to the treatment plant.

9. What is Wastewater?

Wastewater is a combination of used water that comes out of homes, schools, businesses, restaurants, car washes and industries. Wastewater contains a number of different substances, most importantly Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Suspended solids in the wastewater, if not removed and discharged into the environment, can decay or break down naturally by consuming oxygen. This demand for oxygen commonly known as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of how clean the wastewater is.

10. What should I do if I have a sink hole or cave-in in my yard?

Call 918-542-6685 to report the issue. Please provide your address, the location of the cave-in and a return phone number. We will investigate your problem and notify you of our findings.

11. What should I do if I have water shooting out of my toilet?

Call 918-542-6685 to report your issue. The City of Miami Wastewater Department may currently be working on another issue and jet-rodding the sewer lines near your property. The cause of this problem is either your house vents are too small or plugged and in need of cleaning. In any case, this is the property owner’s responsibility.

12. What should I do if I see sewer water coming out of the ground or from a manhole?

Stay away from the water and call 918-542-6685 immediately to report the problem. Please have the address including cross streets or an approximate location within the street.

13. What substances should never go down the drain?

Oil and grease is very detrimental to the sewer system. Frying pans and pots of oil should never be put down the garbage disposal. These substances clog up the pipes and cause plugged lines. Grease solidifies within the sewer system and causes dams.

Never put any harmful chemicals down the drain, nor any plastics or metals. The only thing flushed down the toilet should be tissues; never paper towels. All substances put down the drain should be biodegradable.

14. Where are the lift stations located?

Seneca Cayuga Lift Station located at 1 S Treaty Rd
Wal-Mart Lift Station located at 105 24th NE
Green Acres Lift Station located at 2901 M NW
Newman Rd Lift Station located at 2312 Newman Rd NW
Bayliner Lift Station located at 802 38th NW
Williams List Station located at 401 15th SE

15. Where does the sewer water go?

The City of Miami operates the Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 1002 H SE., Miami, OK. 74355.

16. Who maintains the service lateral from my home or business?

The responsibility for repair and maintenance of service laterals belongs to the property owner. The Waste Water Collection Department is only responsible for the structural integrity of the sewer main.

17. Why is there a manhole in my yard?

The manhole in your backyard is an access point for the sanitary sewer and in most cases cannot be moved. The most likely reason that it’s in your back yard is the terrain.

18. Why Treat Wastewater?

There are many reasons to treat the wastewater before discharging back to the environment. Untreated wastewater can consume oxygen that is available for plants and animals, and cause them to suffer and may even kill them which would be damaging to marine life and aquatic habitats. Untreated wastewater can affect swimming, sport fishing, boating, picnicking etc., by imparting undesirable color and unpleasant odor to the receiving water. Untreated wastewater can cause disease causing microorganisms to enter into receiving water that we may use for drinking and recreation.