Drain Cleaning in Middletown, PA: Main Line Clogs & Sewer Backups
Middletown is the oldest incorporated community in Dauphin County, and its public sewer has been privately operated since 2015. Your private line is still yours. Call for a local drain pro who confirms the price before any work starts.
- Fast local help: call now
- Price confirmed before work starts
- Free call, no obligation
- Local Dauphin County drain pros
Drain backing up?
- Stop running water and flushing toilets.
- Ask a neighbor if they’re backing up too.
- Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
Who do I call for a sewer backup in Middletown, PA?
First, check next door. If neighbors are backing up too, the public main may be blocked, and the borough’s water and sewer operator handles that. If it’s only your home, the clog is almost always in your own line between the house and the street: a plunger can handle one slow fixture, but a floor drain overflow or several slow fixtures need a powered machine. Call (888) 703-1520 for a local drain pro who confirms the price before starting.
Who runs Middletown’s sewer system?
- A 50-year concession. Since January 1, 2015, Middletown Borough’s water and sewer systems have been run by the Middletown Water Joint Venture, formed by United Water and KKR, which paid $43 million upfront.
- The system. About 25 miles of sewer main and one wastewater treatment plant, serving roughly 9,400 people.
- Ongoing work. The joint venture committed to $83 million in improvements over the term. Recent phases each replaced about 1,000 feet of sewer and upgraded manholes.
- Your line. None of that covers the private pipe from your house to the street, which is where most home backups start.
What makes Middletown drain problems different?
The county’s oldest town
Middletown was founded in 1755 and incorporated in 1828, the oldest incorporated community in Dauphin County. Older homes are more likely to have clay or cast-iron sewer lines that crack, scale up or let roots in.
Between two waterways
The Susquehanna River forms the borough’s southern border and Swatara Creek its eastern border. Heavy rain raises groundwater, and cracked lines let it into the sewer.
Not that Middletown
There are several Middletowns in Pennsylvania. This page is for Middletown Borough, ZIP 17057, in Dauphin County, so make sure any company you call actually serves it.
Is it my line or the borough’s main?
| What you see | Likely location | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Only your house is backing up | Your private line | A drain pro |
| Several houses on the street backing up | Public main | The borough’s sewer operator |
| Backup right after a heavy rain | Your line, made worse by extra flow | A drain pro, then a camera check |
| Sinkhole or wet spot in the street | Public main or lateral | The borough’s sewer operator |
Not sure? Call (888) 703-1520 and describe what you see.
Is my Middletown home’s problem one drain or the main line?
| Sign | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage coming up the basement floor drain | Main line blocked | 🔴 Call now |
| Toilet gurgles when the washer drains | Main line partly blocked | 🔴 Today |
| Same clog every few months | Roots or scale in an older line | 🟠 This week |
| Slow drains after a storm | Groundwater or a partial clog | 🟠 This week |
| One slow kitchen sink | Grease in the branch line | 🟢 Can wait |
How do pros clear a Middletown main line?
- Cable machine: reopens most clogged main lines through a cleanout or pulled toilet.
- Hydro jetting: clears grease and scale from older cast-iron and clay pipe.
- Sewer camera: shows whether the line is cracked or sagging, and whether the problem is on your side or the street’s.
The local pro confirms the price before any work starts; cost depends on the line, the access point, the cause and the time of day.
Drain services Middletown homeowners call about
Middletown Drain Cleaning FAQ
Who runs the sewer system in Middletown, PA?
Since January 1, 2015, Middletown Borough’s water and sewer systems have been run under a 50-year concession by the Middletown Water Joint Venture, a partnership formed by United Water and KKR. Day-to-day operations are reported as Veolia Middletown. The system includes 25 miles of sewer main and one wastewater treatment plant.
Who do I call if my Middletown sewer backs up?
If your neighbors are backing up too, the public main may be the problem, so call the borough’s water and sewer operator. If it’s only your home, the clog is usually in your private line; call (888) 703-1520 for a local drain pro.
Is this page for Middletown in Dauphin County?
Yes. This page covers Middletown, PA 17057, the borough on the Susquehanna River in Dauphin County, not Middletown Township in Bucks or Delaware County.
Is the Middletown sewer system being upgraded?
Yes. Borough operations reports show recent projects replacing about 1,000 feet of sewer and upgrading manholes in each phase, plus camera inspection of sewer mains. Public upgrades don’t fix the private line under your yard.
How much does drain cleaning cost in Middletown?
It depends on the line, the access point, the cause and the time of day. A sink clog costs less than a root-filled main line or a jetting visit. The local pro confirms the price before any work starts.
Is a sewage backup an emergency?
If sewage is coming up a floor drain, tub or toilet, yes. Stop using water, keep people and pets away, and call (888) 703-1520.
Also serving near Middletown
Drain pros cover Middletown, Royalton and Lower Swatara Township. See drain cleaning in Harrisburg, Hummelstown and all of Dauphin County. Across the county line, see Elizabethtown.
Sewage coming up in a Middletown basement? Do this now
- Stop every source of water: toilets, sinks, laundry and dishwasher.
- Keep kids and pets out, and wear gloves if you must touch anything.
- Check whether neighbors are backing up too.
- Stay away from water near outlets, appliances or the furnace.
- Call (888) 703-1520 to get your line cleared.
✓ Free call · ✓ Price before work · ✓ Fast local help
Last updated November 2026. Facts on this page are sourced below.
Sources
Drain Cleaning Prime is a free referral service that connects homeowners with independent local drain and sewer contractors. We don’t perform the work ourselves. Contractors are independent businesses, so confirm licensing, insurance and the price with your technician before any work begins.