Show All Answers

1. How do I know which sanitary district my property is in?

Learn which sanitary district your property is located in.

2. I have a septic tank. Who do I call?

If you own a septic system and need assistance with your system, contact Marin County Environmental Health Services at 415-499-6907, or visit the Marin County website.

3. How do I make a Public Records request?

The California State Legislature adopted the Public Records Act in 1975. It is designed to give the public access to information in possession of public agencies. The Act also provides that public records shall be open for inspection during regular office hours of the agency. The public can inspect any record unless the record is exempted from disclosure under the act.

For instructions on how the make a Public Records request, go to the City Clerk's Public Records Request page.

4. How much of my sewer lateral am I responsible to maintain?

If you live in the Mill Valley city limits the City's Municipal Code states that the owner of a sewer lateral is responsible for maintaining their sewer lateral all the way to the City main, including the portion within the right-of-way. This includes the fitting that branches the lateral off the main.

However, if you live in any of the unincorporated areas of Mill Valley or Tiburon, homeowner responsibility may differ. Please contact your sanitary district. To find your sanitary district, please go to our SASM Agency Boundaries page.

5. What is the best way to dispose of excess groundwater that may accumulate during construction on my property?

A permit is required to discharge excess groundwater which should then be discharged into the sewer pipe.

To obtain information for this process, please contact Chris Monti, Chief Treatment Plant Operator at SASM at 415-388-2402. An application for the Permit to Discharge Groundwater (PDF) must be completed, as well as laboratory analysis of the groundwater.

6. There is a sewer backup in my house. What should I do?

If the sewer is backing up into your house, more than likely it is your private sewer pipe that has the problem. You should call a plumber.

7. There is sewage bubbling out of the ground or street. What should I do?

If the sewage is in your yard, contact a sewer service company immediately. Most local sewer service companies have after hours response crews. If it appears to be from a City main or a County main, contact the Department of Public Works at 388-4033 if you reside in Mill Valley city limits. If you reside in unincorporated Mill Valley, contact your sanitary district.

8. I have been reading about the sewage treatment plant being overwhelmed during heavy rainstorms. I thought sewers were separate from storm drains. How can this happen and is there anything I can do?

There are two main reasons for this problem. One is connection of storm drains to the sewer system, which is illegal. If you have a downspout or area drain connected to your sewer, this should be corrected so the stormwater is discharged in an appropriate manner. The other common cause of this problem is old sewer lines, both City and County mains and private laterals. Older sewers were made of clay pipe, which can break or separate over the years, allowing rainwater in the ground to get into the pipe that leads to the treatment plant. You are strongly urged to have your lateral inspected and replaced if it is clay pipe. This will help reduce potential overflows at the SASM treatment plant.

9. How do I dispose of fats, oil and grease (FOG)?

Never pour grease or oils down sink drains or into toilets. You should scrape grease and food scraps into a can or wipe with a paper towel. Then place into the trash for disposal or for recycling into your green can when this service is available. It's advisable to put baskets/strainers into sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and then empty them into the trash or compost recycling.

When FOG is allowed to go down your drains, it can lead to a sewage back up in your home or business and may lead to other issues affecting our environment. Over time a layer of FOG will build up and restrict the flow of wastewater which can bring about a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). A build up of FOG can also precipitate costly repairs at wastewater treatment plants and will increase problems with pests and vermin. Commercial kitchens are regulated to help prevent SSOs caused by FOG. For more information, view SASM's "Pollution Prevention Starts in the Kitchen (PDF)".