Sewage Overflows at Home in Grand Rapids, MI

Sewage contains harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa that can cause serious illnesses, including gastroenteritis, skin infections, and respiratory issues. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, sewage overflows can happen in any neighborhood—from Heritage Hill to Wyoming and Kentwood—especially during heavy rains, rapid snowmelt, or plumbing failures.

Common causes of sewage overflows in Grand Rapids homes include:

  • Damaged or blocked plumbing
  • Sewer system backflow (especially during storms)
  • Septic tank damage or failure (more common in outer Kent County and rural properties)
  • Tree root intrusion into sewer lines
  • Aging infrastructure and frozen pipes during cold Michigan winters

If your home has a sewage overflow, protecting yourself and your family is the top priority.

Immediate Safety Steps for Grand Rapids Homeowners

Avoid Direct Contact With Sewage

  • Keep all family members and pets away from contaminated areas.
  • Do not touch sewage or contaminated surfaces with bare skin.
  • Avoid tracking sewage through the house—remove shoes at the edge of the affected area.

If sewage has entered your basement or living spaces, consider contacting a professional water damage or biohazard cleanup service in the Grand Rapids area, especially for large spills.

Wear Protective Clothing Before Cleaning

When cleaning and disinfecting after a sewage overflow:

  • Wear rubber or waterproof gloves
  • Wear waterproof boots
  • Use eye protection (goggles or safety glasses)
  • Consider a mask if there is splashing or strong odor
  • Wear clothing that can be washed in hot water immediately afterward

Use only a clean, uncontaminated water supply for cleaning. If you are unsure whether your well or tap water is safe (for example, after flooding or a known sewer incident), contact:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Utilities / local water provider

Until you know your water is safe, use bottled or properly boiled water for cleaning and hygiene.

Maintain Your Sewer or Septic System

If a sewage disposal system is not properly maintained, it may fail and cause overflows inside or outside your home.

Proper maintenance in Grand Rapids and Kent County includes:

  • Repairing any blocked, damaged, broken, or worn-out pipes as soon as issues are noticed
  • Scheduling regular inspections for older homes, especially in neighborhoods with aging infrastructure
  • Pumping septic tanks regularly (typically every 3–5 years, or as recommended by your contractor)
  • Avoiding flushing wipes, grease, sanitary products, or other non-flushable items

If you suspect a problem with your plumbing or septic system, contact a licensed plumber in Grand Rapids or a septic service contractor promptly.

Clean and Disinfect All Contaminated Areas

Keep Children and Pets Away

  • Do not allow children or pets into contaminated rooms or basements.
  • Block off affected areas with closed doors or barriers until cleaning is complete and surfaces are fully disinfected and dry.

Clean Out Silt and Debris From Septic Tanks (If Applicable)

If your septic tank has been affected:

  • Arrange for a professional septic tank pumping service as soon as it is safe for vehicles to access your property.
  • Use a licensed contractor—check local business directories or online listings for septic services in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area.

If sewage is leaking outside your property boundary (into streets, yards, or storm drains):

  • Contact your local water utility or the City of Grand Rapids immediately.
  • You may also contact the Kent County Health Department or your local Environmental Health office for guidance.

Who Is Responsible for the Leak?

In Grand Rapids, responsibility for a sewage leak depends on its location:

  • On your property, before the connection to the city main: usually the homeowner’s responsibility.
  • In the public sewer line or city right-of-way: usually the responsibility of the local water/sewer authority.

If you suspect a sewer main backup or city system issue:

  • Contact your local water business / City of Grand Rapids Water and Sewer Department for assessment.
  • Ask whether they provide any assistance or reimbursement programs for sewer backups (policies can vary).

If Your Private Water Supply May Be Contaminated

If you have a private well or suspect contamination of your water:

  • Do not drink, cook with, or brush your teeth with water from the tap until it is confirmed safe.
  • Use bottled water or boiled water (boil for at least 1 minute) for:
    • Brushing teeth
    • Washing dishes
    • Rinsing food
    • Drinking and cooking

Contact the Kent County Health Department or a certified lab to test your water quality if needed.

Use Chlorine Solution for Disinfection

A standard household disinfectant solution for sewage cleanup is:

  • 1 cup of household chlorine bleach (unscented if possible)
  • 10 liters of cold water (about a standard bucket)

Use this solution to disinfect hard surfaces after initial cleaning with detergent and water.

Important safety tips:

  • Ensure all electrical hazards are addressed before entering wet areas:
    • Call a licensed electrician in Grand Rapids to assess if water has reached outlets, wiring, or appliances.
    • If safe and accessible, switch off power at the main switchboard or fuse box before entering a flooded area.
  • Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners—this can create toxic fumes.

Hand Hygiene and Personal Protection

Wash Your Hands Frequently

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water:
    • After any contact with contaminated surfaces
    • Before preparing food
    • Before eating or drinking
    • After using the bathroom
  • If clean water is limited, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) until you can wash properly.

If sewage or contaminated water gets on your skin, wash the area immediately with soap and clean water.

Removing Water and Contaminated Materials

Sweep Out Water

  • Use brooms, squeegees, or pumps to remove standing water.
  • Do not use regular household vacuum cleaners on wet or contaminated areas—use only wet/dry shop vacuums rated for this purpose, and disinfect them afterward.

Discard Items That Cannot Be Safely Cleaned

Throw away items that have been soaked in sewage and cannot be effectively disinfected, including:

  • Carpets and underlay
  • Mattresses and pillows
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Children’s soft toys
  • Contaminated drywall, plasterboard, and insulation

If you are unsure how to remove or replace building materials, or if you are concerned about structural damage from water, consult a licensed contractor or building professional in the Grand Rapids area.

Cleaning Utensils and Hard Surfaces

Kitchen Utensils

  • Wash utensils in hot, soapy water.
  • Then soak utensils in the chlorine solution (1 cup bleach to 10 liters water).
  • Rinse thoroughly in clean, cold water and allow to air dry.

Hard Surfaces (Floors, Walls, Counters)

  1. Clean with cold water and household detergent to remove visible dirt and organic matter.
  2. Apply the chlorine solution and leave surfaces wet for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse the surface afterwards with clean, cold water.
  4. Allow to dry completely.

Pay special attention to:

  • Kitchen benchtops and counters
  • Floors
  • Walls up to the high-water mark
  • Bathroom fixtures and surfaces

Cleaning Tools

  • Disinfect mops, brooms, and brushes in the bleach solution after use.
  • Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.

Food, Medicine, and Personal Items

Throw Away Contaminated Food and Medicines

Discard all items that have come into contact with sewage, including:

  • Fresh food
  • Packaged and canned food that has been in floodwater or sewage
  • Baby formula, snacks, or pet food stored near the affected area
  • Any medicines, vitamins, or supplements stored in the contaminated zone

When in doubt, throw it out—ingesting contaminated food can cause serious illness.

Clothing, Footwear, and Laundry

  • Clean and dry dirty footwear after disinfecting the soles with bleach solution.
  • Wash affected clothes, towels, and linens in hot water and detergent.
  • Do not mix contaminated items with unaffected clothing in the same wash cycle.
  • Run an empty hot wash with detergent or bleach afterward to clean the washing machine.

When you’ve finished cleaning, remove your work clothes carefully and wash them immediately.

Ventilation and Mould Prevention in Michigan’s Climate

Grand Rapids’ humid summers and damp conditions after snowmelt can increase the risk of mould and mildew after a sewage overflow.

To help dry out your home:

  • Open windows and doors when weather permits.
  • Use fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers to speed up drying.
  • Remove and discard materials that stay damp or musty despite drying efforts.

If mould develops:

  • Clean small areas with detergent and water, then disinfect.
  • For extensive mould growth or if anyone in the home has asthma, allergies, or weakened immunity, consider hiring a professional mould remediation service in Grand Rapids.

Care for Cuts and Wounds

  • Attend to cuts and wounds immediately if they come into contact with sewage.
  • Wash the area thoroughly with soap and clean water.
  • Disinfect the wound and cover with a waterproof dressing.
  • Keep open wounds as clean and dry as possible.

Seek medical advice from your Grand Rapids primary care provider, urgent care, or local clinic if:

  • Wounds become red, swollen, or painful
  • You develop fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • You have a chronic health condition (like diabetes) or a weakened immune system

When to Seek Medical Advice in Grand Rapids

Contact a doctor or urgent care clinic if you or a family member develops:

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Fever or chills
  • Unexplained fatigue or weakness
  • Skin rashes or infections

You can:

  • Call your GP (primary care physician) or family doctor
  • Visit an urgent care center in Grand Rapids
  • In an emergency (trouble breathing, severe dehydration, confusion), call 911

Major health systems in Grand Rapids include:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health / University of Michigan Health-West
  • Mercy Health network clinics

When to Call Local Authorities or Professionals

For sewage overflows and related issues in the Grand Rapids area, consider contacting:

  • Local water/sewer utility or City of Grand Rapids Water and Sewer Department – for sewer main issues, leaks outside property lines, or suspected system backflow.
  • Kent County Health Department – for questions about water safety, well contamination, or public health concerns.
  • Licensed plumber – for blocked or damaged pipes, backflow issues, or suspected sewer line damage.
  • Professional water damage / biohazard cleanup company – for large or complex sewage overflows.
  • Licensed electrician – if water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring.

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Residents

  • Avoid direct contact with sewage and contaminated areas.
  • Use protective clothing and a proper bleach solution for cleaning.
  • Discard items that cannot be safely disinfected.
  • Ensure good ventilation and rapid drying to prevent mould, especially in Michigan’s humid and cold-to-warm seasonal transitions.
  • Seek medical help if anyone becomes ill after exposure.
  • Contact local utilities, health departments, and licensed professionals when needed.

By acting quickly and following these guidelines, Grand Rapids homeowners can reduce health risks from sewage overflows and protect their families and properties year-round.