Frequently Asked Questions

We need a wastewater collection and treatment system to protect groundwater quality and comply with a State mandate prohibiting discharge from septic tanks in our area. Septic system discharge has been slowly degrading local water quality for decades. Nitrates and other contaminants from septic system discharge are currently reaching groundwater.

California Regional Water Quality Control Board

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted a septic discharge prohibition in parts of Yucca Valley. Colorado River Basin Planning | Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board. If property owners continue to discharge beyond the time allowed to connect to the sewer system, they may be fined up to $5,000 daily by the State Board. The sewer collection system is a solution that will ensure compliance and protect groundwater quality at the lowest possible cost. Other options for wastewater treatment such as package treatment systems are very expensive to operate.  A centralized sewer collection system and treatment plant is most cost effective in the long run to protect our groundwater basin from the continued use of septic systems.

Septic systems separate the solids into the chambers and discharge wastewater through a leach field to percolates into the ground. Wastewater is filtered by the ground, but still contains nitrates, caffeine, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants that are absorbed into the soil that can eventually reach the groundwater. Overtime these build up in the soil and can result in water quality issues. These contaminants degrade the quality of our aquifer over time. Even though we import water from the State Water Project, the water is stored in the ground. Hi-Desert Water District relies on this stored groundwater from the aquifer to deliver clean, safe drinking water to your home.

A centralized sewer system allows Yucca Valley to reduce dependance on septic systems in areas closest to the groundwater. Septic systems can have a negative environmental impacts on water quality.  The sewer system collects wastewater and delivers it to a treatment plant, where it will be processed and treated until it is clean enough to be recharged into the aquifer without compromising water quality.

According to its revised Basin Plan amendment, the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board has extended the prohibition dates in the Town of Yucca Valley for Phase 2 (now combined with Phase 3) to December 31, 2031.  Phase 1 properties are already required to connect unless their properties have received a deferral or exemption. Colorado River Basin Planning | Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board.

The Regional Board's Enforcement Staff will implement prompt, consistent, fair, and progressive enforcement to bring anyone who fails to stop discharging into compliance. The following can be used against individual property owners:

• Cease and Desist Orders
• Civil Liability Complaints
• Cleanup and Abatement Orders
• Fines of up to $5,000 Per Day
• Non-compliance letters

The prohibitions will take effect whether or not the Wastewater Reclamation Project moves forward. If the project does not move ahead, property owners would be required to comply with the mandate individually or face enforcement actions. Hi-Desert Water District is attempting to create a community-wide solution.

The Regional Water Quality Control Board requires us to protect the groundwater supply, not just treat water before delivering it. Because treating the water at the wells would not address the potentially irreversible contamination of the groundwater supply, this method will not solve our problem, and the Regional Board will not allow it.

Modern wastewater treatment facilities use a number of technologies that effectively minimize odors. Hi-Desert Water District’s new facility would utilize these advancements, resulting in very few odor problems.

It will be returned to our groundwater supply through on-site recharge ponds and will be extracted at a later date through a production well.