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55County of Sacramento Environmental Management Department(916) 875-8550www.emd.saccounty.net

Financial Assistance for Emergency Repairs (Qualified Individuals Only)

The following State and Local agencies have emergency grant and loan programs available to qualified applicants. Please contact the following agencies directly for qualification requirements and additional information.

City of Rancho Cordova Emergency Loan •Program (916) 231-3354

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment •Agency (SHRA) (916) 440-1393

City of Elk Grove Emergency Repair Loan •Program (916) 478-2254

Sacramento Regional County Sanitation •District—Septic Tank Conversion Program (916) 876-6000

USDA Rural Development-Rural Repair and •Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program (916) 714-1104

Frequently Called Numbers

Public Sewer OverflowsCity of Folsom Sewer District •(916) 355-7200Sacramento Area Sewer District •(916) 876-6000City of Sacramento Sewer District •(916) 808-5454

County Complaint Line (916) 875-5656

County of SacramentoEnvironmental Management Department10590 Armstrong Avenue Suite A Mather, CA 95655

Septic System Failures

Health risks ÂYour responsibility Â

Financial assistance Â

Wastewater shall not collect on ground surface, �back up into buildings, empty, flow, spill, seep or drain in any manner that will result in contamination, pollution or a nuisance. (Sac County Code 6.32.040)

It is unlawful to operate a failed on-site �wastewater treatment system. ( Sac County Code 6.32.045)

It is unlawful to maintain or use any residence, �

place of business or other such building or place where persons reside, congregate or are employed which is not connected to an approved on-site wastewater treatment system or public sewer system. (Sac County Code 6.32.050)

No person shall discharge sewage or other �waste, or the effluent of treated sewage or other waste, in any manner which will result in contamination, pollution or a nuisance. (California Health and Safety Code Section 5411)

The Department may pursue all available remedies cited in law for the strict enforcement of State and Local codes pertaining to surfacing sewage and failed septic systems. Regardless of the penalty, all time accrued by this Department in the enforcement of these provisions will be billed to the responsible party at the Department’s hourly rate.

If you suspect your septic system has failed or is in the process of failing, it is your responsibility to promptly resolve the issue in a timely manner.

Signs of a septic system failure include the following:

Slow draining plumbing fixtures;1. Surfacing sewage around the septic tank or drain field;2. Sewage backing up into the structure3. Unpleasant odors emanating from drains or the septic 4. system area.

Repairs such as adding additional leach line, additional seepage pits, or replacing a septic tank require a permit from this Department. It is the owner’s responsibility that permits are obtained prior to commencement of work. Work performed on a septic system prior to obtaining a permit may result in an enforcement action and penalties. Contact this Department or a licensed septic system installation contractor for specific requirements and additional information.

Minor repairs such as snaking or replacing tightlines, repairing lids on tanks, or replacing sanitary tees do not require a permit provided the Department is notified beforehand.

PLEASE NOTE:

Wastewater associated with human habitation and certain commercial processes, if not properly treated and disposed of, has the ability to harbor organisms that can SPREAD DISEASE, POLLUTE our surface and ground water, and cause NUISANCE CONDITIONS effecting county residents. Public health and environmental laws exist to minimize the impact wastewater has on

our environment and the community. Together, these laws help make Sacramento a safe and comfortable place to live.

Failing Septic Systems / Surfacing Sewage

Failure to ComplyThe Law

If your Septic System is in Violation

Wastewater / Wastewater Treatment

The County of Sacramento ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT has been given authority by the local HEALTH OFFICER to enforce public health and environmental laws pertaining to wastewater treatment and disposal. The Department also responds to PUBLIC COMPLAINTS involving FAILED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, SURFACING SEWAGE, and UNAUTHORIZED DISCHARGES of wastewater to streams, rivers, and drainage ditches.

Septic System Failures Health risks  Your responsibility  Financial assistance Â