MSD Customer Care

Report a Sewer Backup

If you are a Hamilton County resident or property owner and are experiencing a sewer backup, you must report the problem immediately (within 24 hours of first noticing it) to MSD's Customer Call Center.

Operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call at

MSD's Customer Call Center:
(513) 352-4900

Sewer Backup Claims

For assistance with SBU insurance and damage claims, please call:
(513) 771-5246

Claims Information

Find the service and information you need! The links at left will take you right to several popular areas of msdgc.org. Or get the FAQs below, with answers to some of the questions we are asked most often.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sewer Emergencies & Maintenance

What do I do if water is coming up from my floor drains?
Call (513) 352-4900 or submit your service request online. For more information, please visit our Sewer Backup Program site.
What do I do if sewage is surfacing in my back yard?
We can send a crew out to determine if the problem is being caused by a main sewer line. Call (513) 352-4900.
What can you do about a manhole overflowing in the street?
We can send a crew to determine who is responsible for the overflow. Call (513) 352-4900.
What should I do if there are odors inside my house, coming from a drain in the basement?
What if they are outside my house?
We can send a crew to inspect and monitor the sewer system, and flush if necessary. Call (513) 352-4900.
What do I do if I have a sunken depressed area by my sidewalk, or in the front of my house in the basement?
A crew can be sent to investigate, and possibly dye test sewers in the area. Call (513) 352-4900.
What can you do about a noisy manhole lid in front of my house?
We can replace the lid, or change the casting and lid if necessary. Call (513) 352-4900.
A manhole in my front yard sits too high. Can you lower it?
We can send a crew to determine if the manhole belongs to us. If it does, we can determine whether it can be lowered. Call (513) 352-4900.
I'm planning to dig on my property. Whom should I call before I dig?
If you are preparing to dig, please contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) to have the public sewer lines marked. Call (800) 362-2764.
I don't plan to dig. How do I find where a sewer is located in my area?
Call our Wastewater Engineering division at (513) 244-1334.

Billing, Payment & Rates

What are MSD's billing practices and rates for service?
Examine the details of MSD's current sewer service rates and practices.
How can I pay for MSD service more conveniently? I receive my bill through Greater Cincinnati Water Works.
Pay your sewer bill online (Note: a new browser window will open). Customers billed for their sewer service through Greater Cincinnati Water Works can use this handy method to pay. Customers billed through other agencies--like your local City or Village--cannot use online payment at this time.

Permits & Licenses

How do I apply for a sewer tap permit?
Details on the sewer tap permit application process are available from our Tap Records staff at (513) 244-1330.
Whom should I contact about industrial discharge permits?
Contact our Permits & Compliance staff at (513) 557-7000. More details may be found in our Industrial User Resources area .
What if I have a food service establishment or restaurant?
Commercial food service operations should contact our Permits & Compliance staff at (513) 557-7000. More details may be found in our Food Service and Restaurant Information area.
How can I become a licensed Sewer Tapper or Septic Hauler?
Applications for Sewer Tappers and Septic Haulers are processed through our Tap Records office. Please call (513) 244-1330 for more information.

Doing Business with MSD

How can I become eligible to bid on MSD contracts?
Register your firm with the City of Cincinnati's Purchasing Department. More details are at the City's Vendor Information site (note: new browser window will open).
For which construction contracts is MSD accepting bids?
Details about what projects are open, how and where to bid, and who bid on recent projects are available in our Construction Contracts area .
I work for a Township or Municipality served by MSD. Who is my contact for sewer issues?
If you represent of a governmental unit MSD serves, please contact our Inter-Governmental Coordinator at (513) 557-7108 to discuss MSD operations in your area.
I am looking for MSD's Standard Drawings. Where are they?
Standard engineering drawings for MSD and the City of Cincinnati's Stormwater Management Utility (SMU), as well as MSD's Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) Standard documents, may be found under Standard Drawings.

Facility Tours

Can my school or organization tour an MSD plant?
MSD often provides tours of our treatment facilities to students and various interested organizations. If you would like to inquire about a tour for your group, please call (513) 919-3412.

Career Opportunities

How can I work at MSD?
To see a listing of available job opportunities at MSD, please visit the City of Cincinnati's Human Resources Department (note: a new browser window will open). The City's HR Department is responsible for advertising positions and taking employment applications. Only positions with current openings are listed.

MSD History & Organization

Who owns MSD? Who runs MSD? How was MSD formed?
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati was formed in 1968. The District was formed as the result of an agreement between Hamilton County (Ohio) and the City of Cincinnati (Ohio). Hamilton County is accountable and responsible for MSD funding and setting its user rates, adopting policy, and legislating the sewer district's rules and regulations. The City of Cincinnati is exclusively responsible to operate and manage MSD and perform its other obligations outlined in a 50-year contract with Hamilton County. More information may be found under About MSD.
How many people does MSD serve?
MSD's service area includes most of Hamilton County, Ohio. This area includes the City of Cincinnati and a number of the County's cities, villages and townships. Small portions of Butler, Warren and Clermont Counties, located along the border with Hamilton County, are also served by MSD. In all, MSD provides wastewater collection and treatment to about 800,000 people.
How can I contact MSD's Director?
To contact the office of MSD's Executive Director, James A. Parrott, please call: (513) 244-5122. The mailing address is:
Metropolitan Sewer District
1600 Gest Street
Cincinnati, OH 45204

Using msdgc.org

Where can I find a particular page? I don't know the address.
You can search msdgc.org, using the search form near the top right corner of every page.
Something must be wrong. Who can I tell about a problem with this site?
If you are having trouble with a page, link or any other feature of msdgc.org, we'd like to know. Please email the msdgc.org webmaster with your questions or suggestions.
This site would be better if they added something. Where can I send my idea about a page or topic for this website?
We are always looking to improve msdgc.org; your feedback helps us determine what features should be added or enhanced. Please email our webmaster with your ideas.

General Information

My question is about something not listed on this page. Whom should I call?
To find the right person for an issue not covered on this page, please call (513) 244-1300.