Latest Update – January 23, 2023

Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Appoints New Board Member

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors last week appointed Gary Robards to a vacant seat on the Board following the passing of Board Member Judy Schriebman late last year. The appointment is effective for the remainder of that seat’s term, until December 2024. The seat will be on the November 2024 ballot.

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OTHER UPDATES

• Click on the headlines for more information

• Applications now being accepted for both LAFCo Public Member Seats

  San Rafael, CA: On May 1, 2023, Marin Local Agency Formation Commission (Commission) Public Member’s term is set to expire. The Commission will be selecting appointments for new four-year terms for both the Regular Public Member Seat and Alternate Public Member Seat. See Press Release

• Low Income Assistance Program Can Help Customers in Need

  We understand that any Sewer Service Charge increases could be a concern for some customers. A new Low-Income Sewer Rate Assistance Program was developed to help low- and fixed-income customers by providing 10% reduction for qualifying residential ratepayers. More information about this program and applications can be found here.

• Message: California Regional Water Quality Control Board, SF Bay Region

  This is a message from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (2).

  The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will accept written comments on the draft Notice of Applicability for Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District enrollment under the General Waste Discharge Requirements for the Discharge of Biosolids to Land for Use as a Soil Amendment in Agricultural Activities (Order No. 2004-0012-DWQ). Enrollment will conditionally authorize the land application of biosolids, generated from the Discharger’s wastewater treatment plant at 300 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael, in Marin County, to agricultural areas on District property.

  The draft Notice of Applicability and associated draft Monitoring and Reporting Program are available for review at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/public_notices/#Waste

  To be considered, comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 10, 2022. If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact Rashid Kaveh by email to Rashid.Kaveh.@waterboards.ca.gov

• New Employment Opportunities

  See Employment Opportunities

• WARNING! Do Not Flush Disposable Wipes

  This can cause sewer overflows in your home or neighborhood!

  • ONLY toilet paper should be flushed. Disposable baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, or any other paper product besides toilet paper SHOULD NOT BE FLUSHED.
  • Even if labeled “flushable” – they are NOT. They will likely result in a blockage of your sewer lateral and/or the public sewer main serving your neighborhood, and can disrupt wastewater treatment plant processes.
  • YOU can help protect public health and the environment – do not flush disposable wipes.
  • Click here for more information on what NOT to flush, and what NOT to put down the drain!

  
  

  Thank you!!

• COVID-19

  • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical need to minimize exposure, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District has closed its administrative offices (101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 300, San Rafael) and plant offices (300 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael) to the public until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.
  • Information on COVID-19 from Marin County
  • During the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, Sewer Lateral Inspection Report submittals may be made electronically
  • We will do our best to meet your needs, but turnaround times are not guaranteed under the current circumstances. Please contact the District Offices at 415-472-1734 for additional information.
  • Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District COVID-19 Prevention Plan (pdf)

• New Sewer Lateral Ordinance – Forms and Instructions for Inspection

  Helps reduce sewer spills, protects the environment, and improves treatment plant efficiency

  • Sewer Lateral Inspection and Report Form (pdf)
  • Overview of Sewer Lateral Ordinance - Flyer (pdf)
  • New Sewer Lateral Ordinance – Ordinance 180 (pdf)
  • Go to the Sewer Lateral Assistance Program Information Page
  • Lateral Construction Specifications Page

• $62 Million Dollar Secondary Treatment Plant Upgrade & Recycled Water Expansion Project

  • Due to construction, on-site plant tours are suspended until further notice
  • Click here for construction updates

• Current LGVSD Board Meeting Agenda

  Regular March 16, 2023 Board Meeting Agenda (pdf)
  
  

• Heron Newsletter

  Click here to read the Heron Newsletter PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTION TO THE PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL LINE PICTURE ON PAGE 3

Sanitary Districts of Marin Outreach Videos

• Flushable Wipes aren’t Flushable

• Don’t Flush your Meds

• Wipes and COVID

• Fats, Oil and Grease

• Sewer Spills

Fun, Informative Videos

• Click on the headlines for more information

• Where Does It Go?

  Ever wonder what happens to wastewater when it leaves your home?

• Water, Too Good to Waste

• Advanced Purified Recycled Water Taste Test

  This video offers an interesting, fun comparison of advanced purified recycled water with bottled and tap water. Some facilities, such as the Orange County plant featured here, take treated recycled water and put it through a three-step advanced purification process resulting in water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. While the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District produces high-quality recycled water, it is not put through this advanced purification process; rather, it is treated to a level suitable for non-potable uses such as dust control, commercial laundries, construction, and toilet flushing, among other such uses.

• Birds at Las Gallinas' Reclamation Area

  Birds of Las Gallinas Marsh, filmed by Jeffery Martin. Click here for more wildlife information.