Making Spalding a Better Place Since 1990
Click here for filter cleaning instructions! WHAT KIND OF WASTEWATER SYSTEM DOES SCSD HAVE? Individual (STEP/STEG Systems) In a collection system in which septic tanks are provided at each individual home, primary treatment occurs before the wastewater enters the collection system. A system in which septic tank effluent flows into the collection system by gravity is known as a Septic Tank Effluent Gravity (STEG) system. Those systems which require the septic tank effluent to be pumped into the collection system are referred to as Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) system. These collection systems benefit the community by allowing for the use of smaller diameter pipes, fewer manholes, and less reliance on minimum slopes. These benefits can result in a lower cost collection system, and are made possible by the removal of heavy solids at the source, thereby minimizing concerns about solids settling out in the collection system and creating blockages. It starts with your septic tank which gives the waste its primary treatment with scads of hungry little bugs (bacteria) that turn most of the "stuff" into gas. What's left is liquid and sludge. The nearly clear liquid moves by gravity or is pumped through a screen into a collection system. The rest is sludge that stays in the tank until it is necessary to have it pumped out. How often this needs to be done is dependent on how much and what you put down your drain and how healthy and efficient the "bugs" in your tank are. Taylor Zentner, Environmental Scientist, Enforcement and Special Projects Unit, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board In 2010, 5,849,379 gallons of wastewater was pumped through the four lift stations into the evaporations ponds from our residents and visitors to Spalding!
Notice of Wastewater Hookup Requirement March 31, 2008. Click Here!
Lahontan issued an order effective August 11, 1990 that residents could no longer discharge wastewater into the ground in the Spalding Tract (Resolution 6-91-25).
OUR WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM IS KNOWN AS A STEP / STEG SYSTEM
It is a collection system in which septic tanks are supplied by each individual home and primary treatment occurs before the wastewater enters the collection system. A STEP system (Septic Tank Effluent Pump) requires the septic tank effluent to be pumped into the collection system and a STEG system (Septic Tank Effluent Gravity) uses gravity to move the effluent into the system. Depending upon the location of your property you will have one of these systems.
These systems benefit the community by allowing for the use of smaller diameter pipes, fewer manholes, and less reliance on minimum slopes. These benefits can result in lower costs and are made possible by the removal of heavy solids at the source, thereby minimizing concerns about solids settling out in the collection system and creating blockages.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
All of this liquid, called "effluent" is gravity fed and/or pumped through the system to many acres of evaporation ponds located across County Rd. A1 at Spalding Road. These ponds, nearly odor free, take oxygen from the air and use sunlight to keep millions of little green plants, algae, growing like crazy. They remove carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and other nutrients from the water. At the same time there is enough evaporation to keep up with the inflow so that no water is discharged into the ground water. It’s a great system and we want to keep it working well at a low cost to all of us. We don’t want to mess it up!
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WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY SYSTEM RUNNING WELL?
CHECK YOUR FAUCETS & TOILET FLAPPER REGULARLY
Please see that your toilet does not continue to run or leak (up to 1500 gallons a day with a stuck flapper) and that faucets and other things don’t keep dripping. In addition to insuring that our ponds and system can keep up with the demand, this precaution also protects your well pump against unnecessary operation, expense, and extra repairs.
DOES IT MATTER WHAT I AM PUTTING DOWN THE DRAIN?
Make sure that you don’t kill the bugs in your tank or things will "pile up". Believe me, no one else wants to do the work they do so keep them healthy and happy. If you remember that they hate chemicals (cleaning solvents, paint, bleach, etc..), fat/grease, and too much paper, you will know how to treat the little guys. We also recommend not using a garbage disposal. Cooking fats should never go down the drain.
If you are gone all winter, you can kick start your system again by adding a packet or two of yeast or a commercial septic tank treatment. Otherwise, what is "supposed" to go into the system should do the trick on it's own.
WHAT IF I AM GONE FOR THE WINTER OR SUMMER?
If you are gone and a pipe should burst or a toilet flapper become stuck, it could flood your home or fill and overflow your septic tank in a relatively short period of time. We've all heard stories of it happening to "somebody else" but it could happen to anyone. Please consider turning off your well pump and hot water heater, and drain them when you are going to be gone. If you are unsure if you should do this, ask a qualified person or call the District Office.
WHAT IF I HAVE TROUBLES WITH MY SYSTEM?
Things can and do go wrong occasionally. As a property owner, you are responsible for your system from your property to the connection at the street. If you are having problems, have a qualified person check it and make repairs if necessary, or you can call the District at 825-3258 for a list of qualified people.
IMPORTANT! Any and all spills or Sewer System Overflows are to be reported to The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board, attn: Rob Tucker. Phone 530-542-5467 or 530-542-5432 or cell 530-721-0607. Our office also reports spills electronically to the State Water Board. Spills that may reach the lake are to be reported immediately to the Lassen County Health Department
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WHY DOES THE DISTRICT CHARGE FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENACE?
With the cost of everything going up, the biggest job we have will be keeping the system running efficiently at a minimum expense to property owners. Our Operations and Maintenance fee is currently $75/quarter. To that end, the lift pumps are serviced regularly and the flow meters and pond levels are monitored regularly.
Another area of importance is keeping up with the ever increasing regulations including the Management of, Planning for and Prevention of spills or pond leakages. There are numerous reports required to the State Water Resource Control Board and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board.
The District is also responsible for issuing permits for new hookups to the system and performing inspections at various stages of the installation process.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN EXISTING SEPTIC TANK AND ITS IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM, CAN I SHOW PROOF THAT I HAVE NOT USED THE TANK AND AVOID PAYING THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS?
No. Providing proof that you have not used an existing septic tank would not provide compliance with the Water Board's Cease and Desist Order. Someone with an existing septic tank could begin using the tank tomorrow. Someone with an existing tank that has never been used, is threatening to discharge waste in violation of the Basin Plan prohibition and is thus subject to the CDO. The CDO's adopted in 2009 require dischargers with an on-site system to either (1) connect to the district's system or (2) properly abandon the on-site system. Compliance with a 2009 CDO can not be achieved by proving that you have never used your on-site system.
Review our 2011 Approved Sewer System Management (SSMP) Plan!
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Contractors needing to schedule inspections, please contact Ray Solis, 260-2850 during business hours.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
Underground Service Alert (USA) can advise you of any underground facilities such as electric or gas lines on your property. You or your Contractor should call 1 (800)227-2600 to request information to determine if there is any conflict with underground facilities and digging work. Their website is www.usanorth.org for more information on this service.
A RICH HERITAGE WORTH PROTECTING Surveys conducted by ENPLAN and Lassen National Forest (LNF) confirm Spalding’s rich heritage of prehistoric Native American presence. Resources found were evaluated in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, and in consultation with local Native Americans and the California State Historic Preservation Officer. Under the mitigation plan, potentially significant cultural resources were avoided and protected during project construction and system operation.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Spalding is uniquely situated in the midst of particularly important environmental resources.
Humans have inhabited this area for tens and perhaps hundreds of centuries. The legacy of cultural and natural history which comes with such long-standing natural attractions is enormous. These factors combine to make Spalding's environment very sensitive. Consequently, the laws and regulations designed to protect the environment are especially pertinent to Spalding. Being completely surrounded by federal land where protections are most vigorous made actions such as the construction of a wastewater treatment system understandably complex to carry out.
Copies of the principal environmental reports prepared to address this project may be found here.
CEQA Final ElR
NEPA Final ElS and Record of Decision pdf file 33 pages
CRWQCB Document
pdf file 2 pages
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