Wastewater
Nevada County Sanitary District No. 1 - Waste Water Alerts
- There are no alerts at this time.
The Wastewater Division of the Public Works Department administers and maintains sewage collection systems and treatment facilities for Nevada County Sanitation District Number 1.
There are 10 zones within the Sanitation District with facilities that collect and treat 1,245,000 gallons of wastewater each day. The Sanitation District provides sewer service to 5,230 accounts in western Nevada County with a population of 14,000.
- Report an Emergency, Odor or Other Concern
- PSPS Events and Power Outages
- 811: Call Before you Dig
- Understand your Sewer System and Maintenance Needs
- Tour A Wastewater Plant
Report Sewer Emergencies or Odors
To report emergent issues call: (530) 265-1555
24 hours per day, 7 days per week
The Emergency Sewer Line is monitored 24/7/365 days of the year. If you have an overflow, odor, or system alarm please contact the Sanitation District immediately.
For non-emergency issues, you can open up a service ticket in our Service request Portal at Citizen Portal (iworq.net)
PSPS Events and Outages
We ask that residents are patient during this event and once power is restored. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
District Zones During PSPS
In all District Zones, with the exception of very low flow areas in the system, all District maintained generators are equipped to run automatically and independent of staff intervention in the event of a power outage, including PSPS events. District systems will continue to function during these outages and District staff visits and monitors all of these locations for proper function until normal power operation is restored.
Private Residential Pump Tank Sewer Systems
During power outages, sewer systems that operate on private residential pump tanks within the communities of Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, Eden Ranch, Lake of the Pines and Dark Horse, and Mountain Lake Estates, will not be functional. All wastewater deposited into the tank will simply accumulate and have nowhere to go, potentially creating overflows and hazardous spills.
Water Conservation
It is imperative that during these extended power outages, residents conserve water usage as much as possible. This includes flushing toilets, wastewater from sinks, tubs, and showers as well as laundry and dishwashers.
Use of generators
Pump tanks will not be operational until either power is restored or unless the system has been professionally added to a whole-house, backup generator by a licensed electrical contractor. It is highly discouraged that portable generators be used to operate pump tanks.
Alarms
Once power is restored, be prepared for alarms to go off on systems. It is not necessary to contact the Sanitation District regarding the alarm once the power has been restored unless the alarm persists for longer than 20 minutes, or it is in conjunction with a spill. Field technicians will be making the rounds at that time and checking on systems throughout the District.
Overflows & Spills
If an overflow or spill occurs, please immediately contact the Sanitation District at (530) 265-1555.
811: Call Before You Dig
811 provides a free and effective Damage Prevention Service that protects communities and underground utilities. The objective of the free 811 service is to receive planned excavation reports from public or private excavators and to transmit those to utility members who may have facilities in and around that excavation site.
The utilities will either:
- Mark or stake the horizontal path of their facility
- Provide information about the location of their facility
- Advise the excavator of clearance for facilities that they own
Understanding Your Sewer System and Maintenance Needs
The type of system providing sewer services to your home can vary from zone to zone when you are serviced through the Nevada County Sanitation District. To learn more visit the Sewer Lateral Maintenance and Sewer Relief Valve page.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours
Next Tour Will Be August 16, 2022, 1-4 pm at the Lake Wildwood
The Nevada County Sanitation District will be hosting a Lake Wildwood Treatment Plan tour on August 16, 2022, from 1-4 pm. Stop by and hear an overview of the system and see how wastewater is treated.
A bit about the Treatment Plant:
Whether you are taking a shower, washing your clothes, or flushing your toilet, you are using water. We all know where water comes from, but where does our wastewater go? You can learn more with a tour of one of our Wastewater Treatment Plants at Lake Wildwood or Lake of the Pines.
Nevada County Sanitation District handles nearly 1 million gallons of water every day through more than 110 miles of pipe and treats it all at 10 treatment plants in Western Nevada County. This free tour will give a behind-the-scenes look at the processes that make the system so reliable and that keep the environment and Nevada County residents safe. From the point, that wastewater leaves a home or business and enters the treatment process, follow the water through the treatment process to where it’s released to local creeks and rivers.
Tour Requirements:
Date & Time:
August 16, 2022, from 1-4 pm.
Physical Requirements:
Expect to be walking on uneven and unpaved ground, climbing stairs, and walking for ¾ of a mile.
Tour Safety:
Treatment Plants are functioning industrial sites in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Open pits, moving vehicles, and chemicals are just a few of the safety hazards present at this site. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are required for your safety and comfort.
Waiver:
Please print and complete the waiver as a condition of the tour. All visitors must sign a waiver as a condition of the tour; please take a moment to review it. Participants under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian sign the waiver.
Request a Wastewater Plant Tour:
Contact Nevada County Sanitation District staff at (530) 265-1411 to request a tour. Once the request is received, we will contact you for further coordination.