Board of Commissioners ...

The four jurisdictions that own SBSA . . . West Bay Sanitary District and the cities of Belmont, Redwood City, and San Carlos . . .  each appoint a member of their council or board to the SBSA Commission. 

 

Pollution Prevention . . .

Through regulations and outreach programs, SBSA works with businesses in the service area to facilitate the convenient discharge of wastewater that is acceptable for treatment at the SBSA facility.

SBSA Environmental Programs

 

Sewer Science

Sewer Science is a comprehensive high school science laboratory that teaches students about municipal wastewater treatment using specially designed tanks and standard testing equipment. Initiated in 1998, the award-winning Sewer Science program is used in numerous California school districts, reaching students throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles metropolitan areas. This program presents a unique opportunity to present the wide variety of careers that are available in the wastewater industry. SBSA currently presents Sewer Science in high schools within its service area and reaches about 1500 students each year.

Thermometer Exchange

Mercury is generally considered harmful to the environment. To encourage reducing the amount of mercury in your home, SBSA will exchange your mercury thermometer for a digital thermometer. To arrange to exchange your thermometer contact us at gogreen@sbsa.org

Dental Amalgam

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board requires that local wastewater agencies reach out to dental practices and include at least 85% in a dental amalgam program by 2012. There are over 200 dental offices in the SBSA service area. SBSA is in the process of contacting each dental office to discuss ADA-approved best management practices in order to minimize the discharge of amalgam to the sanitary sewers and to S. F. Bay.

FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease)

Just as fatty foods can clog your arteries, the discharge of FOG can clog the sanitary sewers causing overflows of raw sewage which may harm the environment and damage property. Oils and grease from residential kitchens can cause blockages inside the home and in the community sewer.

In the cities of San Carlos and Belmont, SBSA staff visits restaurants and other food serving facilities to provide guidance on proper handling of FOG. Without correct maintenance of grease traps and grease interceptors FOG will enter the sewers causing blockages and sewer overflows.

 Small Volume Discharge Program

SBSA works with businesses and contractors to review the discharge of unusual types of wastewater prior to discharge to the sanitary sewers. The review preocess typically takes 1-2 days and is handled by FAX or email. To apply for a discharge contact us at gogreen@sbsa.org.

Federal Pretreatment Program

This program is mandated by the USEPA and regulates the wastewater discharge from specific categories of industries. Typical industries in the SBSA service area include circuit board manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturers, electroplating facilities, etc. These facilities receive mandatory wastewater discharge permits and may need on-site treatment system to remove toxic substances from their wastewater prior to discharge. To check about a permit contact us at gogreen@sbsa.org.

Complaint Response

SBSA staff will respond to wastewater related complaints by residents, commercial business owners and industries within its service area which includes the Cities of Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside and the West Bay Sanitary District (Menlo Park and Atherton).

Need more information?

You can reach us at gogreen@sbsa.org