Other prohibited discharges

As stated in Vallecitos’ Ordinance 65, no person shall discharge anything other than sanitary sewage to the public sewer system. In addition to the hazardous waste, FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease), medications and swimming pool discharge mentioned in detail on our website, the following waste streams are also not allowed to be discharged to the sanitary sewer:

Stormwater, surface water, yard drainage, street drainage, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters. Vallecitos’ sewer collection system is not sized to handle the large water flows that can arise from these sources. This can lead to sewer overflows which can cause possible environmental and property damage.  

Water softener brine is prohibited as up to 74% of the wastewater generated in Vallecitos’ service area is recycled at the Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility and used for irrigation. Water softener brine is high in salt which can make the recycled water unusable for landscaping since the salt can burn plants and turf. By not discharging water softener brine, you can do your part to help us continue to recycle water, our most precious resource.  

For businesses in Vallecitos’ service area, the Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA) implements a Source Control Program as promulgated under the federal Clean Water Act on behalf of Vallecitos. The purpose of this program is to control the discharge of pollutants from industries in order to: prevent interference in treatment plant operations; protect the collection system; ensure compliance with EWA’s ocean discharge permit; protect the health and safety of the public, and collection system and plant personnel; and ensure wastewater solids and plant effluent can be recycled. For more information about industrial discharge requirements, contact EWA’s Source Control Program.