Inflow & Infiltration (INI)
Over time, laterals age and deteriorate, crack, leak and break. During wet weather, massive amounts of storm water percolates into the soil, enters the lateral pipe cracks, mixes with sewage, and sometimes overwhelms sewer pipelines and treatment plants, leading to spills and backups into homes, streets and the Bay. New laws now mandate zero tolerance for such events. Failure to stop them brings stiff fines and legal actions.
View presentations recently brought to the LGVSD Board of Directors regarding this important topic.
Inflow and Infiltration Sewer Overflow
Reduction Program Presentation, Part 1
Inflow and Infiltration Sewer Overflow
Reduction Program Presentation, Part 2
Inflow and Infiltration Sewer Overflow Reduction Program Presentation, Part 3
Inflow and Infiltration Sewer Overflow Reduction Program Presentation, Part 4
In addition to meeting local requirements, property owners are encouraged to take voluntary actions to improve their laterals.
- Have your lateral video inspected by a qualified professional plumber or contractor and repaired if required
- Find out about LGVSD's Homeowner Lateral Assistance Program
- Disconnect outdoor drains that connect to sewer laterals
- Avoid dumping cooking oil and grease down the drain
- Avoid dumping debris down the sink or toilet (hygiene products, coffee grounds, egg shells, trash etc.)
- Avoid flushing your expired or unused medicine down the drain (take them to a pharmaceutical disposal location.
- If you have your lateral cleared of roots, notify the District immediately so that our crews can insure they do not cause sewer overflow in the District’ sewer system.
Before making lateral repairs, please be sure to obtain a permit by visiting our District Office, calling (415)472-1734 or downloading the on-line application form. If you have any questions, please contact Janice Mandler, Collections System/Safety Manager at 472-1734, ext. 13.
Learn more about this critical issue and what you can do to help in this summary regarding INI and its environmental impacts, or by visiting the Sav-R-Bay website which contains presentation media and reader-friendly summary documents on this important topic.
The North Bay Watershed Association (NBWA) has released an extensive study of the problems caused by private sewer laterals along with alternative solutions for inspecting, repairing or replacing them. The lateral study, available under QuickLinks at the Sav-R-Bay website, provides recommendations on inspections and repair; compliance certifications, grants and loans, and much more. Residents and businesses are urged to participate in public Board meetings and provide input as each local agency develops its own lateral programs. The goal: bring Marin County residents, businesspeople and organizations together to find and enact local solutions.
