Sewer Services
Sewer Services
TUD's Sewer System
TUD’s sewer or wastewater system serves over 6,184 single family equivalent sewer connections and treats 1.2 million gallons of sewage daily at the Regional Plant located in Sonora. The District utilizes approximately 140 miles of pipeline to collect between 400-500 million gallons of sewage per year.
How exactly does a Private Sewer Lateral work and what is your responsibility? Click the brochure below, TUD Private Sewer Lateral Brochure to find out.
Regional Sewer Systems
SEWER SMOKE TESTING
Smoke testing is a safe, efficient and cost-effective method to identify defects in the sewer system. Non-toxic smoke is blown into the sewer lines and will escape through vent pipes on roofs or any cracks, leaks, or faulty connections, highlighting areas that may need repair.
How should I prepare for a Smoke Test?
Prior to testing date, pour ½ gallon of water in all basement floor drains or seldom used sink/shower drains and be sure to flush any seldom used toilets. This ensures that drain traps are filled with water
and smoke will not enter the house through any normal, working sewer-line connections. As demonstrated in the photo below, this “traps” water in the pipes, and is called “filling your traps.
Do I need to be home during a Smoke Test?
No, homeowners do not need to be home during testing. Do not leave pets unattended in a confined space.
How will I know if smoke enters my house if I am not home during testing?
The purpose of Sewer Smoke Testing is to identify improper sources of water entering the public portion of the sewer system. While it is also beneficial to identify deficient plumbing connections on private property, this is not the main intent of the testing and it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain the plumbing on their private property.
Will Smoke Testing the sewers allow smoke to get into my house?
No, if your plumbing is correctly installed and functioning properly, and your “traps” are all filled with water, then no smoke should enter your home. Very few homes typically get smoke in them from sewer smoke testing.
What does it mean if smoke is in my house? What should I do?
If all sewer connections are working properly and there are no open faults in the home, all smoke should run through the sewer lines and out the building’s roof vents. This is normal.
The unusual event of smoke entering the home means there is an open fault, where sewer gas has been entering the home. Once inside the house, the smoke will dissipate in approximately 20 – 30 minutes. If you notice smoke entering your home, you should open doors and windows and leave the house until the smoke dissipates. It is important to immediately notify a member of the smoke testing crew working in your area so the fault can be identified and addressed. You should then call a licensed plumber and repair the fault as soon as possible.
Can the Smoke Test activate the smoke alarms?
Yes, smoke alarms may be activated by testing. Open windows or doors for ventilation if possible.
What does it mean if smoke is in my yard or driveway?
This could mean that a drain on the property is connected to the sewer lateral or that the lateral has breaks or cracks in the pipe, causing drain runoff that contributes to sewer backups and overflow.
Is the smoke hazardous?
No. The smoke is non-toxic and harmless. It is light in color, leaves no residue, and does not create a fire hazard. People with particular respiratory sensitivity should avoid exposure to all types of smoke
Click Image To Enlarge
Public Advised to NOT Flush Disinfecting Wipes, Paper Towels Down Toilet – Throw Them Away Instead
Courtesy photo by CWEA
Wipes are among the leading causes of sewer system backups, impacting sewer system and treatment plant pumps and treatment systems. Many spills go to our lakes, rivers, and oceans where they have broad ranging impacts on public-health and the environment. Preventing sewer spills is important, especially during this COVID-19 emergency, for the protection of public health and the environment.
Please do not flush disinfectant wipes or paper towels down the toilet.
NO WIPES IN THE PIPES
Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities. Even wipes labeled “flushable” will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment.
Wastewater treatment facilities around the state already are reporting issues with their sewer management collection systems. These facilities are asking state residents to not discard wipes in the toilet, but instead to throw them in the trash to avoid backups and overflow. A majority of urban centers are on centralized sewage collection systems depend on gravity and enough water flow to move along human waste and biodegrable toilet paper. The systems were not designed for individual nylon wipes and paper towels. The wipes and paper towels do not break down like toilet paper, and therefore clog systems very quickly.
Click on this important and informational video on No Wipes in the Pipes.
Sewer Relief Valves
Common Causes of Sewer Spills
Why? Protect yourself, your home and your business by installing a sewer-relief valve. In recent years we have noticed a sharp increase in the number of sewage overflows into homes and businesses caused by roots, grease and general sewer pipeline deterioration. When a sewer blockage occurs in a private sewer pipeline or in a public sewer main, sewage backs up until it finds the lowest point to escape. That can be your shower, toilet or sink in your home or business.
Prevention: Damage resulting from sewage backing up into a home or business can easily be prevented by installing a Sewer-Relief Valve in the sewer pipeline serving your property. The Sewer-Relief Valve allows sewage to overflow outside your home or business instead of inside. The cost of having the Sewer-Relief Valve installed is small compared with the cost of cleaning up a sewage spill in your home or business.
Contact TUD: Sewer-Relief Valves are available free of charge, one per customer, at the TUD office. TUD staff can assist you (free of charge) in locating your sewer cleanout and if not found, can identify the location where one should be installed.
Are you Having sewer problems?
Common Causes of Sewer Spills
Grease: Grease builds up inside and eventually blocks sewer pipes. Grease gets into the sewer from household drains, as well as from poorly maintained commercial grease traps and interceptors. Grease is the most common cause of pipe blockages. How to prevent grease building up? Do not put grease down drains. Wipe down or scrape plates, pans, etc. into grease can. Once the grease and or can is cool, dispose of it in your garbage.
Structure problems: There can be many reasons for a sewer backup, many of them are caused by structure problems caused by tree roots in the lines, broken/cracked pipes, missing or broken cleanout caps, or undersized sewers can cause blockages.
How Can You Prevent Sewage Spills
Tuolumne Utilities District has recently adopted a Fats, Oils and Grease Control Program.
- Never put grease down garbage disposals, drains or toilets.
- Perform periodic cleaning to eliminate grease, debris and roots in your service laterals.
- Repair any structural problems in your sewer system and eliminate any rainwater infiltration/inflow leaks into your service laterals.