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Wastewater Collection System


What is the Wastewater Collection System
The Wastewater Collection System (Sanitary Sewer System) is designed to carry wastewater from our toilets, sinks and showers via private sewer lateral pipes to the City’s sewer mains. The City owns and maintains 263 miles of sewer mains which deliver wastewater to El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant. 


Wastewater Collection System vs. Storm Drain System
The storm drain system and the wastewater system are two different sets of pipes.  The storm drains are the drains you see in the street gutters or are the pipes going into creeks or the ocean. These pipes are only for rain water.  They are never used for sewage. Sewage goes into a different set of pipes called the Sanitary Sewer System (Wastewater Collection System).  These pipes go to the sewage (wastewater) treatment plant were it is cleaned.  Only sewer water, not storm water, goes to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment.

In fact, if water from storms gets into the sewer pipes it causes problems such as sewage overflows.  This is why it is illegal to hook-up roof or yard drains to sewer pipes.  The City’s Smoke Testing Program is designed to help identify and remove these types of connections.  Rain water can also enter the sewer through cracked pipes also causing sewage to overflow through manholes.  The Sewer Lateral Inspection Program requires property owners to repair or replace damaged sewer lines to prevent overflows.

Go to Creeks Restoration & Water Quality Improvement Division.

Diagram of Wastewater System and Storm Drain System

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Sewer Lateral Inspection Program (SLIP)


New Law Requires Inspection of Sewer Laterals
Homes and businesses are connected to the City’s sewer system by a pipe called a lateral.  Cracked, broken or clogged sewer laterals can cause sewage spills.  Sewage spills endanger public health and can cause contamination of creeks and the ocean.  To prevent spills cased by broken sewer laterals the City is requiring property owners to inspect their lateral. SLIP Administrative Guidelines

Homes
Home owners are only required to inspect their lateral if they are doing significant remodeling or if City staff observe a lateral with cracks and/or roots during inspection of the City’s system.

Buying or Selling a Home?
The Zoning Information Report (ZIR) now contains a clause notifying buyers that sewer lateral are property owners’ responsibility and strongly encourages having the laterals inspected before closing escrow. SLIP ZIR Report

Condominiums, Apartments & Commercial Property
Commercial properties and condominiums must inspect their lateral once every ten years.  The City has surveyed its sewer system to determine where the most problems occur:  View the Sewer Basins Map  to see when an inspection will be required.

Notice to Inspect
If you are required to inspect your lateral, you will receive a letter from the City.  If inspection shows the line does not require repairs, the property owner will be given a certificate of compliance valid for three years.  If the line is broken or clogged, you will be directed to repair it.  Sewer laterals installed within the last 20 years are exempt from this program. SLIP Notification Letter

Money for Inspection & Repair
Costs for inspection of a lateral are typically between $75 & $300.  If your line is in good condition, submit the inspection video and get up to $150 reimbursement. SLIP Inspection Forms
If your sewer lateral needs repair or replacement, you may be eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,000 towards the cost of repair.  Reimbursements are available to residential properties with three or fewer dwellings.  Funding for reimbursements is allocated annually by the City Council and is available on a first-come basis. SLIP Incentive Payment Request Form

All SLIP Documents, Forms & Maps

SLIP Administrative Guidelines
SLIP Notification Letter
SLIP Standards & Requirements for Closed Circuit TV Survey
SLIP ZIR Report
Sewer Basins Map
SLIP Inspection Forms
SLIP Incentive Payment Request Form

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Programs to Prevent Spills


Sewer Lateral Inspection Program
This program was developed to improve the maintenance and repair of private sewer laterals. Cracked, broken or clogged sewer laterals can cause sewage spills.  Sewage spills endanger public health and can cause contamination of creeks and the ocean.  To prevent spills cased by broken sewer laterals the City is requiring property owners to inspect their lateral. SLIP Documents, Forms & Maps

Replacement and Repairs  
2.5 miles of the system is replaced and repaired each year at a cost of approximately $1,000,000 per year.

Regular Cleaning
All City sewer lines are cleaned every 2 -3 years.  Trouble spots are cleaned on a more frequent basis.

Video Inspections
Closed Circuit cameras have been developed that can be slid down sewer lines and record the conditions that are found in that section of sewer.  This helps to identify breaks, roots and water coming into the pipes through cracks.

Smoke Testing
Smoke testing helps the City to locate cracked pipes and roof/yard drains connected into the system.  Unfortunately, cracks and roof/yard drains bring large volumes of water into the sewer system during storms flooding the pipes and causing sewage to spill out into the public streets.  If you think your roof/yard drains are connected into the sewer system please contact the City for help.

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