RSWD Wastewater Services

Wastewater collection and treatment was the third service provided by the District. The Wastewater Department of the District was formed in September 1968 as a result of an anticipated State mandated water quality control program. The District’s water pollution control program was, in part, created to help ensure the water quality of the water discharged into the two watersheds adjoining the District boundaries. The service area of the District lies within two watershed drainage areas, Deep Creek Mojave River (Lahontan Region) and the Santa Ana River (Santa Ana Region). The formation and construction of the Wastewater Department’s collection system and treatment plant was financed by a voter approved bond issue, a federal grant, and seven assessment districts. 

The construction period spanned seven years and was completed in November 1975.

The District’s treatment plant was designated as a regional facility by the State Water Resources Control Board and presently provides wastewater treatment and disposal, under contract, for the communities of Arrowbear Lake, Green Valley Lake, and Snow Valley. The contract service with the Arrowbear Park County Water District began in January 1977.

In May of that same year, the District entered into a wastewater service contract with the County of San Bernardino to provide wastewater treatment and disposal for County Service Area 79 (CSA 79), which includes Green Valley Lake, US Forest Service Recreation areas including campgrounds and a ski area located within Green Valley Lake, private camps along Green Valley Lake Road, and the Snow Valley Ski area recreation site located on Highway 18 at Snow Valley.

With the completion of the system in 1975, the importance of the District’s water pollution control program and the demand for this service has increased significantly. Service contracts, increased full time resident population and the addition of several new subdivisions have resulted in modifications, additions and expansion to the originally constructed facilities. The District’s Wastewater Department presently operates a 1.0 MGD MBR Plant with advanced tertiary treatment. The facility includes a solids handling system built in 1989, effluent disposal site consisting of the 13 original percolation and evaporation ponds, and spray irrigation built in 1987, covering seven acres plus four acres of green belt. The collection system consists of 65 miles of pipe ranging from 6” to 15” and 9 sewage lift stations. It has 3 miles of sewage forced mains, 40 miles of sewer laterals, and approximately 2,992 sewer service lateral connections.