12304 Joerger Drive 
Truckee, CA 96161 
for all business and emergencies call
530-587-3804
 Looking for Trash & Recycling? 
Menu
Menu
close

Public Education and Outreach

TSD Offers Free F.O.G. Containers

Grease Container
Container & Bag
Grease Bag
TSD now has Fat Trappers (grease containers) available for free to the public. You can find them in our Admin Building entryway and at our information booths at Truckee Community Events. Truckee Community Events are coming back! TSD participates in; Earth Day, Truckee Day, 4th of July Parade, The Air Show STEM Fair, Truckee River Day, Big Truck Day, and more.  To find even more Truckee Community events click here. We look forward to meeting you at the next event or in the lobby when you pick up your free Fat Trapper at 12304 Joerger Drive, Truckee, CA 96161. 

Watch the Fat Trapper instructional video below. 

TSD's Public Outreach and Education Team Presents to Local Group

Truckee Sanitary District (TSD) is the public agency responsible for the conveyance of the wastewater in the sewer laterals (pipes) from your property line to the wastewater treatment plant - Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency (TTSA). Homeowners are responsible for the sewer lateral from the property line to the house.  TSD's sewer network is made up of 215 miles gravity pipeline, 13,132 laterals, 44 lift stations, 16 miles force main.  Learn more about lift stations here. 

Some neighborhoods are on septic. Septic sewers are the responsibility of the homeowner. These areas include: Sierra Meadows, Olympic Heights, Prosser Lakeview Estates, Alder Hill, Parts of Glenshire, & East of Old Greenwood.  TSD is looking into the possibility of converting some areas from septic to TSD Sewer. If you have questions or comments regarding this, please contact our District Engineer.  
TSD's Public Outreach and Education Team gave a presentation to local group, Tahoe Silicon Mountain for their Mountain Minds Mondays event on June 14, 2021. This presentation is a great overview of the District. 

What does it look like under my house? 

What happens underground in the sewer pipes after you flush?

What Happens When You Flush? 
Down the Drain and in to the Pipes the Wasterwaster goes...
Now that you know where wastewater goes, let's talk more about what NOT to put in the pipes.
Fig. 1
"Flushable" Wipes 
While "flushable" wipes may go down the toilet when you flush, they can cause extensive damage to sewer laterals (pipes) & systems as well as treatment plants. Not only in Truckee, but around the world, "flushable" wipes have caused serious clogs in the pipes. Clogs can lead to spills, which lead to costly repairs and environmental damage. 
As you can see in the photos, the wipe (Fig. 1) has not been broken down. You can see white remnants of toilet paper (Fig. 2). Because toilet paper breaks down like it does, it can pass through laterals and treatment plant sorting machines.  Wipes can get stuck and cause other items in the lateral to get stuck causing clogs. 
Extreme clogs are known as "Fatbergs". A fatberg is a big clump of wipes, fat, oil, grease, dirt & debris trapped in the pipes creating an iceberg-like formation. For more information about fatbergs, read this article, "Meet the Fatbergs" 

This Washington Post article shows how bad wipes can be for the underground systems. "A nasty pandemic problem: More flushed wipes are clogging pipes, sending sewage into homes"
Fig. 2

"Fats, Oil & Grease aka FOG

When fat, oil & grease are washed down the drain, it can solidify & cause clogs in pipes. This can lead to spills, which are not only gross, but harmful to the environment. TSD prides itself on the protection of our beautiful home. In 2020, TSD crews responded to 5, category 3 spills (less than 1,000 gallons and did not reach surface waters). Our goal is to respond to less each year (if you notice a wastewater spill or smell sewer, please call us at 530-587-3804).

Examples of FOG: 

  • Bacon Grease
  • Lard
  • Dairy Products
  • Salad Dressing
  • Gravy
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Food Scraps

How do you dispose of FOG? 

  1. Pour excess FOG into an empty aluminum can or a fat trapper (also available at the TSD booth at Truckee Community Events)
  2. Scrape pan/plate clean using a spatula or a grease squeegee (available at the TSD booth at Truckee Community Events)
  3. Wipe pan/plate with paper towel
  4. Once can is full throw it away

Remember, CEASE THE GREASE! 

 

Examples of FOG in Truckee sewer laterals

Common Household Items to Keep out of the Drain.

Keep these items out of the drains:

  • Coffee Grounds. Why? Coffee grounds do not break down in water, they clump together & can form clumps. 

  • Medications. Why? Pharmaceuticals can pollute our water & unintentionally expose not only us, but wildlife to the chemicals in these medications. 

  • Conventional Cleaning Products. Why? Like medications, cleaning products can be disruptive to the water ecosystem.

    • Read the labels on cleaners for proper disposal. Water-soluble & all-natural cleaning products are environmentally friendly options. 

  • Kitty Litter - Even Flushable Kitty Litter. Why? The most obvious answer is, kitty litter can clump and clog drains. It dos not get destroyed during water treatment and can be a threat to marine species. 

    • Throw litter in the trash.  You could also try "green" litter options made from wood shavings or recycled newspaper.

 

More sewer learning resources available here from Be Sewer Smart by DKF Solutions Group
do not flush list, diapers, wipes, cigarettes
HomeJobsTSD District CodeBoard ScheduleDistrict ProjectsGovernment ComplianceContactGIS & MappingEmployee Portal
©2024 Truckee Sanitary District
crossmenu