Wastewater

The Wastewater Division handles all wastewater that originates from homes, businesses and public buildings within South Salt Lake's service area. We make sure wastewater is properly collected, routed through sewer lines and treated. This is essential to preventing public health hazards and keeping our city in compliance with City, State and Federal regulations.

What We Do

The Wastewater Division collects wastewater from our service area and conducts it to the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility where it is treated and discharged into Mill Creek. We operate and maintain the entire South Salt Lake wastewater collection system, which includes day-to-day repairs and maintenance, along with larger capital projects.

We provide service to approximately 1/2 of the City. The Mount Olympus Improvement District provides service to the southern half of the city. 

Both service areas rely on the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility (CVWRF) in South Salt Lake to treat our wastewater. Your sewer utility fee covers both piping and treating wastewater.

We view our work as an investment in the health and well-being of the South Salt Lake community. Our team works hard to make sure everything is running smoothly, responding to emergencies and day-to-day maintenance needs. And though wastewater often flies under the radar - until your toilet is backing up - wastewater issues present a serious risk to residents of the city, as well as our environment and businesses.

Your continued support helps us handle all of the following:

• "Black water" collection from toilets
• "Gray water" collection from showers
• "Gray water" collection from sinks
• Conveying wastewater to the CVWRF
• Repairing and maintaining the sewer collection system
• Regular cleaning of the entire sewer system
• Long-term repair and upgrade projects to our sewer system.
• Repairs and maintenance at the Central Valley treatment facility

How You Can Help

Aging wastewater systems are a nationwide challenge, and ours is no exception: most of the pipes we use today were originally installed between the 1940s and the 1970s - that means these pipes are between 50 and 80 years old! They need to be treated with care and respect to last.

Please Do Not Flush:

• Flushable Wipes
  Despite their name, flushable wipes are not flushable, nor are any other types of wipes. They do not break down in the sewer system. They can cause problems in your service line to the street, the main line and at the treatment plant. They are also a magnet for other waste and debris, creating buildup and blockages that can back your sewer up.
• Prescription drugs
  Wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to filter dissolved prescription drugs from wastewater. This can negatively impact aquatic wildlife once the treated water enters back into the local watershed, including the Jordan River. Instead of flushing your prescriptions, please use safe drop-off locations. The South Salt Lake Police Department has more information.
• Cooking grease
  Pouring cooking grease down your sink can cause serious issues for your home's sewer system, as well as the main line. Grease solidifies when it makes contact with cold water, which will happen at some point as it travels down the pipeline. Put all fats, oils, grease, and grit into your garbage can. It also helps your sewer to put food scraps (even vegetable trimmings) into the garbage or compost.

For a full list of flushing guidelines, please see the CVWRF Webpage.

Report a Problem

Typically, sewer issues result in a backup. If you notice sewage backing up into your toilet, basement, pooling on the ground, or coming up through a manhole, please call us immediately and report the exact location of the problem.

For any issues with Stormwater, please reach out to the Stormwater Division by calling 801-483-6045.

Remember to always call Blue Stakes before you dig.

Announcements

Central Valley Upgrades & Rate Increase - 2020

As state and federal governments pass new environmental initiatives, certain system upgrades are necessary to keep wastewater treatment in South Salt Lake in compliance.

To that end, we are working with the CVWRF to meet new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. These regulations aim to reduce phosphorus in wastewater - which is responsible for algae growth in the Jordan River area. If left unchecked, this algae can change the oxygen content of the water, harming local fish, birds and wildlife in the process.

To pay for the upgrades required to meet these new regulations, we will be raising the Sewer rate. We realize that this rate increase is a serious consideration for residents of South Salt Lake; however, the actual costs of disobeying EPA regulations and the potential cost of environmental damage from unchecked phosphorous levels make this increase necessary.

We have secured a Hardship Grant for $2 million, and a 0%-interest loan for $9,248,000 to cover our $11,248,000 obligation to upgrade the Central Valley treatment plant. The cost of the entire project is $210,000,000 and is shared by the six other member entities at Central Valley. The rate increase allows us to make our scheduled payments on the loan, and will help us fulfill our portion of the Central Valley upgrades.

The rate increase will go into effect on July 1, 2020.

Work on 600 W - Summer 2020

Anticipating several new construction projects around the city, and the increased demand this will create for our sewer system, CVWRF is installing a secondary force sewer main from our lift station from 2250 South 600 West, to 2700 South 600 West. CVWRF will be funding this project.

At the same location as the CVWRF work, South Salt Lake will be fixing a problem with a manhole and completing the tie in procedure. The City will be funding this portion of the project.

COP Construction has been contracted by both the City and CVWRF, and will be completing the two projects jointly.

A portion of 2700 South will be temporarily closed during construction, with detours clearly marked. Construction is estimated to begin by the end of April and should be completed by late May.