Conservation Tips
Wastewater collected from your
house is not only from the toilets, but also from
showers, dishwashers, sinks, and your clothes washer. It
all goes to our Wastewater Treatment Plant in the
Sunnyside Valley where is treated until it is
approximately 96% pure.
Is it okay to dump grease down my house drains?
No, dumping grease down your house drains will cause
grease buildup in your own drain lines. Some people
believe that if you mix hot water with the grease it
will not clog your lines. While this practice may not
clog the lines in your immediate house, by the time the
grease gets to your sewer pipe it will have cooled
enough to build up. Keep in mind, you are responsible
for the maintenance of your side sewer and calling out a
plumber for this type of maintenance can be very
expensive.
 Is
it okay to dump car oil down the sanitary drain system
in my house?
No, oil causes the filtration system at the
treatment plant to fail and the filtration system must
be cleaned and replaced causing thousands of dollars in
damage.
Is
it okay to flush plastic items down the toilet?
No, flushing plastic items and other
non-biodegradable material, such as many brands of
baby-wipes, down the toilet causes problems in sewer
lines. The material will hang up in your line and cause
blockages. If the material reaches the treatment plant
it will cause problems at the treatment facilities also.
What
is this manhole for in my back yard?
The manhole is used for access to the system for
maintenance and cleaning.
What
should I do if I see liquid flowing out of a sewer
manhole?
Contact the Lake Stevens Sewer District at (425)
334-8588. If water is flowing out of a rectangular grate
then it most likely is surface water run-off and you may
contact Snohomish County Drainage Services at
425-388-6467.
How
are sewer lines maintained?
Video scanning equipment is used in the lines to
observe potential problems such as root growth, grease
buildup, or failing pipe. Flushing equipment is used to
remove grease and roots from lines.
Where is the wastewater treated?
The wastewater collected in the greater Lake Stevens
area flows to the District’s wastewater treatment plant
located in the Sunnyside Valley.
How
does the treatment process work?
Visit an
interactive
diagram of the
wastewater treatment process.
Is
there anything to keep in mind when I landscape my yard?
When planting trees or shrubbery consider the
location of your sewer line so as not to plant over or
near it. Roots can enter into pipes and cause clogs.
|
Call the Lake Stevens Sewer District at
(425) 334-8588
to report a problem or obtain additional
information. |
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