Sewer FAQ

Reliability at the Riverside Water Quality Control Plant is very high. The plant is staffed 24 hours a day with operators who are able to respond to any situations that arise. Critical treatment processes are designed with redundant equipment, which means that if a mechanical or electrical component fails, a spare is waiting to take its place. Mechanical and electrical staff members are on-call 24 hours a day in case of a failure that requires their immediate assistance. Maintenance staff diligently cares for the equipment to predict and prevent breakdowns, further adding to the reliability of the facility.

Our on-site instrumentation provides information and records data on wastewater quality around the clock. Information is collected and stored automatically in a database for evaluation by our operational process specialists. Samples are collected and analyzed by certified laboratory technicians in our on-site, State-certified laboratory. This information is also added automatically to our operational database. Independent laboratories periodically verify quality as well.

Treatment plants remove impurities contained in wastewater so treated wastewater can be safely returned to the environment. This same stabilization process occurs in nature to break down wastewater into its most basic components of carbon dioxide and water. Common methods of treatment include physical, biological and chemical treatment steps to stabilize the wastewater. The City of Riverside's wastewater treatment plants are designed to accelerate and control nature's process to insure proper treatment is provided.

A portion of treated wastewater is re-used for irrigation by various entities within the City. The remaining portion of treated wastewater is discharged to the Santa Ana River.

A sewer system is a series of pipes that collect wastewater and transport it to a remote location where the wastewater is processed by a municipal treatment system. A septic system collects, treats and disposes of wastewater from a single source in the same location that it is generated. Municipal and septic treatment systems utilize many of the same treatment processes, but a municipal sewer system collects and treats wastewater from many different locations.

Population density, the topography of the area, soil conditions and numerous other factors are involved in the construction and operation of a sewage collection system. Increasing migration to suburban and rural areas make municipal sewers more difficult and costly to build and maintain. Septic systems are often the most practical and cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment and disposal.

Your local health department should have information regarding the location of your septic tank. Also, a local septic tank pumping service can employ several different types of technology to verify the tank location.

The main causes of blocked sewer lines are grease that builds up in the line and tree roots that seek the water in the line. Never pour kitchen grease down the drain. Put solidified greases, oils, and fats in a container and dispose of them in the trash. Trees and shrubs planted too close to sewer pipes can also cause problems. The roots get into the pipes creating blockages and broken sewer lines that can be expensive to repair.

Care and maintenance of the private sewer lateral line up to the property line is the responsibility of each resident. Care and maintenance of the City’s sewer main line and lateral line within the public right-of-way is the responsibility of the City. For more information, see the Private Lateral Policy.

Check with your neighbors to see if they are experiencing similar problems. If neighbors are having the same slow drainage, there is a chance that there is a problem in the public sewer main and the city’s responsibility. Call 951-826-5311 to report the problem. If neighbors are not having sewer problems, your sewer lateral may be blocked or broken and the homeowner is responsible for repairs.

Wastewater contains naturally occurring gases that can build-up and create odors. Sometimes during heavy rains or warm temperatures the odor can increase and cold weather and low temperatures can decrease odors. Call 951-826-5311 to report unpleasant odors coming from manholes so we can investigate and correct the problem.

The city is responsible for repair and maintenance of the sewer main line and lateral lines located in the streets and within the public right-of-way. For more information, please see the Private Lateral Policy.

No, dumping into city manholes is not permitted. Please call us at 951-351-6140 and report anyone illegally dumping into our City manholes.

Discharge Recommendations:

• Home clean out typically located on the outside wall of the kitchen sink or in the concrete.
• Washer machine discharge pipe.
• Bathtub

If none of the previous locations are available, discharges from swimming pools, wading pools, spas, whirlpools, therapeutic pools, and landscape ponds shall be discharged to the following locations in compliance with Section 14.12.315 of this Chapter and under the following conditions:

• Surface discharge and/or storm drain, requiring that the chlorine residual is less than 0.1 mg/L; or
• Sanitary sewer if such discharge to surface or storm drain would create a public nuisance or hazard or violate any regulation, order, or requirement of the Regional Board, including NPDES Non-Point Source (Storm Water) Permit requirements. User shall first obtain permission from the City prior to discharging any of these waters to the City’s sanitary sewer. Permission may be granted by the Director if the discharge will not cause a hydraulic overload condition in the area’s sewer lines; or
• Pumped out and hauled off to a legal treatment and/or disposal site if the water is found to have hazardous levels of chemicals, elements, or materials (e.g., algae growth, flooding).

Not everything should be flushed or poured down the drain. Improper disposal can lead to clogged pipes, blockages, and environmental harm. Here’s a list of items that should never be flushed or washed down your drains:

1. 1. Sanitary Products, Paper Towels, Diapers, Baby Wipes, and Facial Tissues
   These items are made of materials that don’t break down in water and can easily cause clogs in the plumbing. Always dispose of them in the trash.
2. 2. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
   Pouring FOG down the drain can cause severe blockages. Over time, grease sticks to the inside of pipes, hardens, and obstructs wastewater flow, potentially leading to sewage backups. Cool and harden grease, and then dispose of it in the trash.
3. 3. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
   Flushing medications can contaminate water sources and harm the environment. Crush the medications, mix them with coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt, seal them in a plastic bag, and throw them in the trash.
4. 4. Kitty Litter
   Even “flushable” kitty litter can clog pipes and damage your plumbing. Plus, it can introduce harmful bacteria and parasites to the environment. Dispose of it in the trash.
5. 5. Household Hazardous Materials
   Items like motor oil, paint, pesticides, and solvents are highly toxic. Flushing them down the drain can harm the environment and contaminate water supplies. Be sure to follow proper disposal procedures for hazardous materials.
6. 6. Food Waste, Coffee Grounds, Eggshells, Hair, and Dental Floss
   These materials can accumulate in pipes and cause blockages. They don’t break down easily and may lead to difficult-to-remove clogs. Always dispose of food scraps and other debris in the trash.