Sewer Backups Concern of Rawlins City Council

JULY 9, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins officials want something done about sewer backups on the city’s west side.

During the June 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, resident Kendra Sisneros addressed the governing body about sewer issues on La Paloma Drive, behind Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Sisneros said a sewer backup in 2020 forced her to pay for costly repairs to her home’s sewer system. However, the problem persisted, with Sisneros reporting the sewer water from other residents has backed up into her basement at least 13 times over the past five years.

Sisneros explained that when her basement floods with sewer water, she must wait for city utility crews to clear the blockage. Once the flow is restored, she wades into the contaminated water to clean up the mess. Sisneros said the repeated flooding has begun to damage her home.

Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the sewer pipes in the La Paloma neighborhood have settled over time, forming low spots known as bellies. When improperly disposed items, such as wet wipes, accumulate in those areas, they obstruct the flow of sewage and back up the entire system. Dill said that permanently fixing the issue will require a large-scale sewer line replacement project, which could cost roughly $3 million.

The governing body agreed to investigate the matter. During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Dill confirmed his earlier $3 million estimate to replace the sewer system in that section of the city.

Dill said the water system also needs to be replaced, adding that the fire hydrants in the area do not meet the city’s current specifications. Fixing the entire water and sewer system will increase the cost of the project by approximately five times.

During the June 17th meeting, the governing body discussed installing sewer backflow preventers in the affected homes. A sewer backflow preventer is a plumbing device that stops wastewater from moving in the wrong direction by allowing sewage to exit a home normally, but automatically sealing shut when it detects reverse pressure from the municipal system.

At the July 1st meeting, Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked how much it would cost the city to install backflow preventers in the handful of affected houses. While not a perfect solution, Councilman Seilaff said the devices will stop sewer from flowing into residents’ basements until the city can afford to replace the entire sewer system.

Public Works Director Dill said he didn’t know the cost but offered to obtain an estimate for the governing body.

Councilwoman Tonya Lewman agreed the city should consider installing sewer backflow preventers. The effort will help improve conditions for residents while the city seeks funding for a major sewer and water replacement project.

Public Works Director Dill agreed to obtain a cost estimate to purchase and install backflow preventers in homes affected by sewer issues in the La Paloma Drive area. Dill will present his findings at the next City Council meeting on July 15th.