Sewer rates pay for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the wastewater system. These services include:

•             Sewer pipelines, pump stations, and structures such as manholes and rodding inlets

•             Wastewater treatment and water recycling facilities

•             Regulatory monitoring and environmental compliance

•             Emergency response and system repairs

•             Replacing aging infrastructure and building needed improvements

•             Maintaining required financial reserves

These services make sure wastewater is safely collected, moved, and treated to protect the community, public health, and the environment.

No. By law, money from sewer rates can only be used for wastewater services and related systems, like pipes and treatment plants. It cannot be used for other District services.

The sewer system includes:

·         144 miles of gravity sewer pipelines

·         3,330 gravity structures, including manholes

·         32 wastewater pump lift stations

·         19 miles of pressurized forcemain pipelines and 52 forcemain structures

·         6 miles of effluent pipe

·         1 state-of-the-art Water Recycling Facility with automatic controls and monitoring equipment

·         1.1 MW solar photovoltaic system

·         1.5 MW solar photovoltaic system with batteries (planned expansion project

Sewer rate revenue helps pay for important upgrades and repairs, including:

·         Fixing and improving sewer pipes

·         Upgrading pump stations

·         Improving the treatment plant’s control and monitoring systems (SCADA)

·         Improving biosolids equipment and systems

·         Replacing old equipment and vehicles

·         Replacing old sewer pipes before they break

These improvements help keep the system working properly and lower the chance of expensive emergency repairs.

ISD works all day and night, every day, to keep the sewer system safe and running. The system has automatic controls and monitors that alert staff if there are any problems, so they can fix them quickly and make sure wastewater is safely collected and treated.