Wastewater Services
Chester Public Utility District collects and treats wastewater (sewage) from about 1,100 homes and businesses in Chester. The system includes about 18 miles of sewer main, 240 manholes, and four lift stations that pump wastewater uphill. Wastewater is treated in six stabilization ponds and then four wetland ponds.
Sewer backup or overflow? Call the District right away at (530) 258-2171, or after hours at (530) 816-0505. A backup can start in the District’s sewer main, so please call us first and we will check the main before you call a plumber.
Who protects our lakes and streams
- Federal law. The Clean Water Act protects lakes, rivers, and streams from pollution, including sewage.
- State law. California’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act protects both surface water and groundwater.
- Treatment. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board sets the requirements for how the District treats wastewater and protects Lake Almanor and local groundwater.
- The sewer pipes. The State Water Resources Control Board’s statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order covers every public agency with more than one mile of sewer pipe. It requires a Sewer System Management Plan and requires the District to report sewer spills to the State.
What the Sewer System Management Plan is, and why it matters
The Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) is the District’s playbook for the sewer system. It explains how we operate, inspect, clean, and repair the pipes, manholes, and lift stations; how we respond to a backup or spill; and how we keep grease and debris out of the system. Its goal is simple: prevent sewage spills that can damage homes and pollute Lake Almanor and local creeks.
State rules require the plan to be updated at least every six years and approved by the Board of Directors, and the District must audit how well it is following the plan at least every three years. Read the Sewer System Management Plan.
Our part: what the District does
- Owns and maintains the sewer mains, manholes, lift stations, and treatment ponds and wetlands.
- Checks the sewer main when you report a backup, and clears any blockage found in the main.
- Inspects and cleans the sewer lines on a regular schedule, including camera inspections where needed.
- Responds to backups and spills day or night, and reports spills to the State as required.
- Follows the Sewer System Management Plan and updates it as the rules require.
Your part: what customers do
- Your sewer lateral. The pipe from your house or business all the way to the sewer main in the street is yours to maintain, not just the part on your property. That includes clearing blockages, tree roots, and breaks. If it fails, have it repaired promptly and let the District know. If you think the blockage is in the District’s main, call the office and we will inspect the main.
- Only flush the three Ps. Pee, poop, and toilet paper. Wipes, even ones labeled “flushable,” paper towels, and diapers clog pipes and pumps. See What Not to Flush.
- Keep grease out of the drain. Let fats, oils, and grease cool, then put them in the trash. Grease hardens in pipes and is a leading cause of backups.
- Keep rainwater out. Roof drains, sump pumps, and yard drains must never be connected to the sewer. Rainwater overloads the pipes and the treatment ponds.
- Keep cleanouts and manholes clear. Don’t build, pave, park, or landscape over a cleanout or manhole. Our crews need to reach them quickly.
- New connections and repairs. Any new sewer connection must be approved and inspected by the District and installed by a licensed contractor. Call the office before you start.
Sewer rates
Sewer rates are on the Rates and Fees page.
