Resources
Roto-Rooter
Almonte Sanitary District contracts with Roto-Rooter for all emergency needs. Please call them at 415-898-2700. For more information click here!
SASM
The Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin was formed in 1979 to consolidate the waste water collection, and provide treatment, reclamation and disposal interests of about 25,000 residents in Southern Marin County. SASM is comprised of the City of Mill Valley, the Tamalpais Community Services District and the Almonte, Alto, Homestead Valley and Richardson Bay Sanitary Districts.
The waste water treatment plant is located at 450 Sycamore Avenue in the City of Mill Valley. Processes include conventional physical treatment to remove solids, biological processes for organics removal and chemical addition for disinfection of pathogenic bacteria. Most of the treated waste water is conveyed by a 6-mile pipeline for deep water discharge into Raccoon Strait (a portion of San Francisco Bay located between the Town of Tiburon and Angel Island).
SASM also operates a polishing system that produces an effluent that is suitable for body contact. This water is used to irrigate Hauke Park, Bay Front Park, and the Mill Valley Dog Run. SASM's second largest agency, the Richardson Bay Sanitary District, also uses SASM effluent to irrigate McKegney Green and portions of Knoll Park on the Tiburon peninsula.
Solid and organic material that is removed from the wastewater is further treated and hauled to the Redwood Sanitary Landfill in Novato. In winter months this is used as daily cover material, and during summer months it is taken to a landspreading/growing site in Sonoma County at the intersection of Lakeville Highway and Highway 37.
SASM also has two ponds that are used to store excess stormwater flows during the winter. The largest of these two ponds was converted to a wildlife habitat several years ago. This habitat provides one of the few fresh water habitats in Southern Marin County and reportedly has been host to 130 different species of birds. This pond and surrounding marshlands are fully accessible to the public and can be reached from the public parking lot at 450 Sycamore Avenue in Mill Valley.
Tours of the waste water treatment plant are encouraged and will typically include a short classroom overview in the SASM conference room. Arrangements can be made by calling Liz Falejczyk at 415-388-2402 ext. 18
Sewer Smart Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) sewer backup prevention program
You probably don't think much about what happens after you flush the toilet or wash the dishes. But what happens if your sewer system stops working, or worse—backs up! Your home could be at risk for a sewer backup. Take our simple, five question Sewer R.A.T. to find out, and if it is, learn what to do about it.
ABAG PLAN Corporation, in conjunction with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is helping San Francisco Bay Area homeowners prevent backups this rainy season. Here are some of their resources.
- ABAG's Sewer Smart Planting Guide
- Be Sewer Smart! A homeowner's "How-To" guide
- What to do if you have a sewer backup!
- Backup Buster in the news
- See how backups occur
Marin Recycling Center - Hazardous Waste Disposal
Marin Recycling Center operates a household hazardous waste facility as a joint program with the City of San Rafael and the Marin County Waste Management Joint Powers Authority. Residents of Marin County, with the exception of Novato, may bring paint, adhesives, motor oil, pesticides, household batteries, latex paint, computer monitors, televisions, and bleach cleaners to the facility free of charge.
Businesses may dispose of small quantities of hazardous waste by appointment and for a fee. Please call the facility for a list of approved materials and to make arrangements. For an expanded list of Household Hazardous Waste Items click here!
The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at:
565 Jacoby Street
San Rafael, CA
Phone:
Residential Customers: 415-485-6806
Commercial Customers: 415-485-5648
Operating Hours:
Commercial Customers: Monday & Tuesday, by appointment only
Residential Customers: Monday - Saturday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mill Valley Refuse
Almonte Sanitation District contracts with Mill Valley Refuse to pickup trash, recyclables and yard waste.
Mill Valley Refuse Service Inc.
Phone: 415.457.9760 || Fax: 415.457.3003