Carson City Southeast Sewer Conversion Project

Groundwater contamination, in the form of nitrates, has been a concern in the Southeast Area of Carson City since the early 1990’s. Studies have shown the source of Carson City’s groundwater contamination is related to the use of individual septic disposal systems (ISDS); a common problem throughout the Country. Rising nitrate levels increases costs and reduces the reliability of the City to provide safe drinking water to users. One well in the area was taken out of service in 2019 due to nitrate levels being above regulatory limits; a second well is at risk of being taken out of service if nitrate levels continue to increase. The Southeast Area Sewer Conversion Project will provide municipally available sanitary sewer to those on ISDS located in the areas indicated in the map below. This project will help eliminate the aquifer’s source of groundwater contamination, allow for the City to continue to provide quality drinking water to users without increased cost for treatment, and provide a sustainable source of drinking water into the future.

EASEMENT ALTERNATIVES

 

Carson City plans to complete a portion of a sewer main extension project that will result in new sewer service being available to 33 homes. These home are outlined in green in the map above. Additional phases are shown in blue (29 homes), red (19 homes), and purple (34 homes). The project phases in blue, red, and purple require new sewer main to be constructed in permanent easements in backyards of properties in order to provide opportunity for connection to City sewer without the need of an individual lift station.

City staff and the City's design consultant will be conducting site visits to property owners over the next several months to determine the best placement for the new laterals and cleanouts based on performance needs while minimizing disturbance to your property. Additionally, properties identified to benefit from a backyard sewer main will be contacted to determine their openness for the City to obtain a permanent utility easement to construct a sewer main on their property. Please expect a representative from Farr West Engineering and/or the City to be in your area in the upcoming months to discuss this project. They will leave contact information if you are not at home so that you can make alternative arrangements to discuss.

NOV. PUBLIC MEETING

Carson City Public Works hosted a meeting on Nov. 14 at 5:30 pm in the Gym at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William Street. A presentation was shown of the project history and what can be expected during construction.  See recording of video below. 

 

What this project will provide property owners:

  • New sewer lateral from the main to the property line, including cleanout.

What will be required of property owners/occupants:

  • Work cooperatively with design engineer to locate septic tank and select the best route for new sewer lateral (service line).
  • Property owners will be encouraged to connect to the City's sanitary sewer system as soon as possible after project completion. However, ultimate timeframes to connect to municipal sewer, including mandatory connection periods for abandonment of the individual sewage disposal system (ISDS) once the property owner is notified of project completion, will be determined by the Board of Supervisors. Connection will help Public Works to continue to provide safe drinking water to users.

What costs will property owners be responsible for?

  • Construction of the sewer lateral from their residence to the point of connection at the property line provided by City.
  • Abandonment of septic tank.
  • If connected to the new sewer lateral within the specified fee waiver period, ultimately determined by the Board of Supervisors, the building permit fee, sewer connection fee, and septic abandonment fee will be waived.
  • Once connected to the new system, a charge for sanitary sewer service will be included in the monthly utility bill you already receive from the City.
ABOUT NITRATES

Carson City has developed a project that will reduce nitrates from septic tanks entering the groundwater in your neighborhood. Currently, there are about 140 homes contributing to the nitrate contamination of the groundwater aquifer due to the large number and age of septic tanks in your neighborhood. Once an aquifer is contaminated it is very expensive to treat and takes decades to remove the nitrate contamination; it can also be unsafe to drink.

Carson City Wells #38 and #43 are in the southeast area of Carson City and in the immediate vicinity of the project location. Well #38 is not in operation, as the City is currently evaluating options to remove nitrates at the well site. Well #43 is in operation but nitrate levels continue to rise, and the well is in jeopardy of being taken out of service. Monitoring and testing at the well sites determined that the contamination is coming from the high number of septic systems, is worsening with time, and has the potential to further contaminate the groundwater.

Much of the community’s drinking water supply comes from wells. If the nitrate contamination of groundwater is not addressed, the public drinking water supply could become unsafe for human consumption and would require expensive water treatment processes, resulting in significant limitations on pumping capacities and water production. It is imperative to protect the aquifer from additional contamination. This project is part of multi-phase program completed over the last 30 years to reduce nitrate contamination of our groundwater; 9 phases have been completed to date.

The following pictures are examples of typical construction that will be required in your area. 

Sewer Image 2Sewer Image 1

The City will construct a sewer lateral from the main to each property to facilitate sewage collection from your home and convey it to a regional treatment facility for treatment. The goal of this project is to protect the groundwater in your area from being further contaminated. Once the sewer collection system construction is completed and operational, you will be notified that the sewer is available for connection.

CONTACT US

For additional information about the health effects of nitrates(sewage) in drinking water supplies and for a project schedule including ongoing updates, reach out to:

Darren Anderson | Senior Project Manager | 3505 Butti Way Carson City, NV 89701 | (775) 283-7584 | danderson@shushijia.net

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