Sanitary Sewer Back Ups
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Sanitary Sewer Back-ups - 24 Hour Service
Contact Information:
- During business hours (8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. ): Call 814-472-8780
- After business hours: Call 9-1-1
Important Note:
- If you experience a sanitary sewer backup in your home, contact Ebensburg Borough before calling a private plumber.
- Borough personnel will verify whether the blockage is in the main sewer line serving your home.
- If you call a plumber first and it turns out the blockage is in the Borough’s main line, the Borough may not be liable for the plumber’s cost.
- The Borough responds to sewer calls 24/7.
Property Damage from Sanitary Sewer Back-ups
- Most property damage from sewer backups is not covered by insurance.
- Local governments in Pennsylvania (including Ebensburg Borough) have sovereign immunity under the Political Subdivision Torts Claim Act — meaning they’re generally not liable for third-party property damage claims.
- Exceptions exist but are very specific and hard to validate.
Insurance Coverage & Loss Protection
Under the Tort Claims Act, a local agency (like the Borough) is not liable for dangerous conditions in water/sewer systems unless:
- It had actual notice of the problem, OR
- Could reasonably be charged with notice and failed to act in time.
Since most sewer backups are unforeseen events, they typically don’t qualify for this exception — so the Borough or its insurance won’t cover your home damage.
Recommendation:
- Check with your homeowner’s insurance agent about adding coverage for sewer backup losses.
- This extra coverage is usually low-cost and provides peace of mind.
- Don’t wait until a disaster happens — prepare ahead with a few phone calls and minimal annual investment.
Residents are strongly encouraged to review their insurance policies proactively to ensure protection against unexpected sewer-related losses.