Wastewater
Nevada County Sanitation District No. 1 - Waste Water Alerts
- There are no alerts at this time.
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
The Nevada County Sanitation District host tours at Lake of the Pines and Lake Wildwood Treatment Plants. Tours provide an overview of the system and show how wastewater is treated.
Request a wastewater plant tour:
Contact Nevada County Sanitation District staff at public.works@nevadacountyca.gov or (530) 265-1411 to request a tour.
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 by visiting 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 daily 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 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:
Physical requirements:
Expect to walk on uneven and unpaved ground, climb stairs, and walk for ¾ of a mile.
Tour safety:
Treatment Plants are functioning industrial sites operating 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 be prepared to sign a waiver prior to taking the tour. Participants under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian sign the waiver.
Mission Statement:
Nevada County Sanitation District is committed to protecting our environment, maintaining top-quality wastewater services, and building lasting partnerships with the people we serve. We show up with professionalism, transparency and a 24/7 commitment to high-quality service.
Core Values:
Accountability: We uphold public and environmental health through responsible stewardship of public funds and maintain a 24/7 commitment to our community's sanitation needs.
Collaboration: We foster strong relationships by engaging our community, partnering with governing agencies, and practicing open and honest communication.
Compassion: We listen with patience and empathy to the concerns, complaints, and feedback of our customers, treating every interaction with respect and care.
Integrity: We respond swiftly and responsibly to all sanitation issues, ensuring the highest standards of maintenance and service across our sewer systems and treatment facilities. Our continuous dedication to quality and transparency reflects our deep commitment to our mission and to those we serve.
Service: We deliver responsive, professional service around the clock, with a target response time of under one hour. We take pride in a safe, well-maintained sewer system, and we maintain a commitment to future-ready wastewater solutions.
Management:
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.