Water in the Basement? Who to Call in Toledo and Lucas County

When water shows up in your basement, the right first call depends on where it came from and which town you live in. This guide lists the official numbers for Toledo, Maumee, Sylvania and Lucas County townships, what each office handles, and what to say when you call. We checked each number against the agency's own website in October 2026.

Who do I call first when water gets in?

If the water is coming from a pipe in your house, shut off your main valve first, then call for help. If it's coming up a drain or from outside, call your city or county sewer office to report it, then call for cleanup. In every case, call 911 first if anyone is hurt, wires are in the water or you smell gas.

Quick contact list

Sources: Toledo Public Utilities customer service page; City of Maumee; City of Sylvania; Lucas County. Checked October 2026.

City of Toledo: what Engage Toledo does

Engage Toledo is the city's 24-hour service line. For water problems it covers three things:

• Water emergencies. Call 419-936-2020 and press 1 to report a water main break or other water emergency. Give the closest street address and intersection.
• Free water shutoff. If your main valve won't turn or you can't find it, the city turns off water at the curb for repairs at no charge from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week, according to the Toledo Public Utilities customer service page.
• Water in the basement and flooded streets. Report these any time. A Public Utilities field worker can come out to inspect the main sewer line.

Engage Toledo also takes reports online and through its app, but the city asks people to use the phone line for anything needing immediate attention.

Who pays for what in Toledo

The city is responsible for repairs in the public right-of-way or sewer easement. The homeowner is responsible for everything on their property, including the sewer line between the house and the right-of-way. If there's a clog between the main and your home, you pay to clear it. The city says clogs can be cleared by the homeowner, a licensed sewer tapper, a licensed sewer cleaner or a licensed plumber, and repairs can be made only by a licensed sewer contractor, according to the City of Toledo basement flooding page.

If the city confirms the public sewer backed up into your basement, you may qualify for the Toledo Basement Flooding Grant toward prevention devices.

Maumee

Maumee is fixing its sewer system under a 2025 consent decree with the Ohio EPA. As part of that, city sewer staff do free inspections inside homes to check floor drains, sump connections and the sewer lateral, and the city offers grants and loans for required repairs. Call the sewer conveyance office at 419-897-7127 or email [email protected]. More on the Maumee page.

Sylvania: city or township?

Inside Sylvania city limits, the city's Sewer Division handles sanitary and storm sewers. Call 419-885-8733 for sewer emergencies. Sylvania Township and other unincorporated areas on county sewer call the Lucas County Sanitary Engineer at 419-213-2926, 24 hours a day. Your sewer bill shows which one serves you. More on the Sylvania page.

Lucas County townships

The Lucas County Sanitary Engineer runs water and sewer service in parts of the county outside the big cities. Its 24/7 emergency line, 419-213-2926, takes reports of water main breaks, sanitary sewer backups and pump station alarms, according to Lucas County. If you live in Springfield, Monclova or another township, check your bill to confirm you're on county service. [verify: which townships are county-served]

Gas and electric

If water reached your furnace, water heater or electrical panel, don't touch them. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or your gas company from outside. [verify: Columbia Gas of Ohio emergency number] For power problems, call Toledo Edison. [verify: Toledo Edison outage number] After a flood, the City of Toledo advises having appliances and electrical systems checked by a qualified electrician before turning power back on.

Calling about a rental

If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager first, in writing, and take photos. The owner is usually responsible for the building and for calling the city about the sewer line, while your own belongings fall under renters insurance if you have it. If you own a rental, give tenants these numbers and show them where the main water shutoff is. A tenant who can close the valve in the first few minutes can save you thousands in drying and repairs. Keep a copy of every report number the city or county gives you.

The order of calls

1. 911 if anyone is hurt, water touches wiring, or you smell gas.
2. Stop the water. Close your main valve, or call Engage Toledo (press 1) for the free curb shutoff.
3. Report sewer or street flooding to your city or county line above.
4. Call your insurance agent to start a claim and ask about sewer backup and flood coverage.
5. Call for cleanup. (567) 290-1980 connects you with a local restoration company for a free quote.
6. Call a plumber or sewer cleaner if the problem is in your own pipes or sewer line.

What to say when you call

• Your address and nearest cross street.
• Where the water is coming from and whether it's still coming in.
• Whether it looks or smells like sewage.
• Whether neighbors have the same problem. That points to a public main.
• Any report or claim numbers you already have.

Keep this list handy

Save these numbers in your phone now, before a storm. Write down where your main water shutoff is, and test that it turns. If your basement has backed up before, look into a check valve or standpipe; Toledo owners may qualify for help through the Basement Flooding Grant. For what cleanup costs, see the Toledo cost guide. To understand the cleanup itself, read about flooded basement cleanup.