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About Us

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Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District

Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (LGVSD) is located in the Las Gallinas Valley between central San Rafael and Novato. In 1955, our original wastewater treatment plant was constructed to address health problems associated with failing septic tanks in Santa Venetia. New development in north San Rafael resulted in annexation of Terra Linda in 1956, followed by other areas including San Rafael Meadows, Marinwood, Lucas Valley and other communities. Major plant expansions were built in 1958, 1972, 1984 and 2022.  The latter increased capacity to 3.2 million gallons per day.

Today, LGVSD serves 32,000 customers in the northern San Rafael area and manages approximately 105 miles of collection lines. Boundaries of the facility span approximately 383 acres. In addition to the treatment plant, other aspects of LGVSD include solar generation, a garbage franchise encompassing all areas within the District excluding the City of San Rafael customers, and a multi-faceted reclamation project which includes a freshwater marsh, irrigated pastures, storage ponds and saltwater marsh – all of which are home to area wildlife, and provide access and recreation for the public.

Given the unique low-lying creek and bayside location of the District’s service area, strict attention is given to the treatment process and green practices are an ongoing goal of LGVSD. During the summer non-discharge season (no discharge to San Pablo Bay via Miller Creek between May and October), approximately 2/3’s of the District’s treated water (effluent) is recycled by Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) and North Marin Water District (NMWD). The LGVSD/MMWD/NMWD recycled water is utilized within the LGVSD boundaries. The remainder of treated effluent is utilized at LGVSD’s irrigation pastures.

Our Secondary Treatment Plant Upgrade and Recycled Water Expansion Project increased capacity in order to better serve the present and future residents. LGVSD provides plant tours, site educational field trips and community outreach activities to raise awareness for pollution prevention, water quality and conservation.

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Reclamation Area
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