Sewer

The City has two drainage systems: sewers and storm drains. General information about each is provided below.

Sewer System

The sewer system is designed to handle residential and commercial wastewater from sinks, showers, and toilets. Water that enters this system is filtered and treated before being re-introduced into the environment.

How to Verify Connection to the City Sewer System:

• Check your tax bill, or
• Visit the Community Development Department public counter to review our records and plans. If they records prove inconclusive, a sewer dye test may be required.

Sewer Laterals: This is the line that connects your house to the public sewer line that serves your street or neighborhood. These lines must be maintained by individual property owners, from the house out to where it connects to the City's main line (usually in the middle of the street). If you need to find out where the lateral is located on your property, contact the Engineering Division.

Sewer Main Line Maintenance: These lines are maintained by the Community Services Department.

Storm Drain System

The storm drain system is designed to prevent flooding by carrying excess rainwater into retention basins and then out to the ocean. Water enters the system primarily through storm drains located along roadways. Unlike the sewer system, this water is not filtered or treated but runs directly into waterways and eventually the ocean.

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System):
Storm drains create a huge potential for polluting the environment. That's because everything that goes into a gutter or storm drain, including litter, used motor oil, paint, pesticides, and other harmful pollutants, goes straight into local waterways and eventually the ocean. A single quart of motor oil dumped in the gutter can contaminate 250,000 gallons of ocean water. Even natural things like leaves, yard clippings, and soil can harm our waterways. They create a lack of oxygen in the water, killing aquatic plants and animals. Pesticides and fertilizer from your yard can also make their way to the ocean if you over water and the water runs into the gutter.

Report chemical spills in a street or storm drain to the Fire Department immediately.

Save the Pipes, Don't Flush Wipes

The City of Claremont Community Services Department is reminding residents to avoid flushing anything except toilet paper. Wipes, tissues, paper towels and other products simply shouldn't go down the drain.

Even though labeled "flushable," wipes and other products don't break down in pipes and in the City's wastewater system. Once in the wastewater system, they can combine into massive clumps, clogging the pipes and pumps that move wastewater from a home to the treatment plant.

Clogged pumps can then fail, leading to expensive and time-consuming repairs and an increased chance of wastewater back-ups, either in homes or onto the street. Sanitary sewer overflow can cause damage to property and harm humans, animals and the environment.

Blockages in pipes in the home and on the property can leave homeowners with very costly repairs too, especially older pipes that may have grease build-up, roots or other obstructions already present.

By throwing wipes and other materials in the trash, you can prevent clogged pipes and full septic tanks, help the system work with maximum efficiency, and lower costs to you.

The Community Services Department reminds residents to never flush these items:

• Disinfecting/surface wipes
• Mop or "Swiffer" type refills
• Baby wipes
• Paper towels
• Jewelry wipes
• Pet care wipes
• Cosmetic wipes
• First Aid wipes
• Disposable diapers or diaper liners
• Bio-pads (nursing home, home health care, etc.)
• Cotton swabs
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet cleaning pads
• Any moist type towelettes
• Any consumer item that is not toilet paper

For more information, please contact the City of Claremont Community Services Department at (909) 399-5431.