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San Mateo County Seal: Back to San Mateo Homepage

County Maintained Sewer and Sanitation Districts

2012-13  Sewer Service Rate Information

Pollution Prevention and Public Education

Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)

Burlingame Hills Sewer Maintenance District - 

Crystal Springs County Sanitation District - 

"Understanding Your Sewer System and What You Pay For" Brochure
English Version
Versión Española

Dispose of Your Pharmaceuticals at Police Stations- Click here to see a list of confidential drop-off locations

General Information
Public Works provides sewer collection services for residents and businesses in the ten sewer maintenance and sanitation districts within the County. Click here to see a map of the service areas for: Burlingame Hills, Crystal Springs, Devonshire, Edgewood, Emerald Lake Heights, Fair Oaks, Harbor Industrial, Kensington Square, Oak Knoll, and Scenic Heights.

The sewer collection service program is primarily funded by the Sewer Service Charges that are levied on properties that receive sewer service from the Districts. The Sewer Service Charge is collected annually on the property tax bill. Sewer Service Charge rates for the ten County Sewer Maintenance and Sanitation Districts are set by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and are described in Section 4.32.020 of the Ordinance Code. Public Works personnel maintain the sewer mains in a street or easement and related facilities that comprise the collection system. Ownership and maintenance of sewer laterals -- the sewer line that connects the plumbing of a house or business to the sewer main -- are the property owner's responsibility. Click on the link to view an illustration of the sewer main and sewer lateral. Section 4.24 of the Ordinance Code governs sewer mains and laterals.

The County does not operate sewage treatment facilities. Sewage flows from the collection systems in County districts to sewage treatment plants operated by the South Bayside System Authority, or the cities of Burlingame or San Mateo. The County Sewer/Sanitation Districts pay the plant or city that treats the sewage.

If you live in one of the County service areas and the Sanitary Sewer in the street is overflowing  please contact  the County at (650) 363-4100 (24 hours a day). 

Sanitary Sewer and Streetlight Requirements Checklist

Sewer Standard Details and Specifications

Special Provisions for Closed Circuit Television Inspection of Sanitary Sewer Mains

Sewer Lateral Policy Letter - September 2004

How you can contact us:
555 County Center, 5th Floor,
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4100 (day & after hours)
sewers@smcgov.org 

The Maintenance Division office is located at:
752 Chestnut Street,
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4103 

Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. During these hours you can reach our staff by asking for the Sewer Section.  After hours emergency calls are automatically forwarded to County Dispatch who will contact our on-call personnel.

Last updated: February 2013

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