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Frequently Ask Questions begin here:

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Where are you located?

Costa Mesa Sanitary District Headquarters is located at 628 W 19^th Street.  We are located approximately 0.5 miles west of Newport Blvd right next to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

What’s the difference between a special district and an independent special district?

Special districts, like school districts, have certain autonomies but they are essentially functions of the state.  Independent special districts are a form of local government created by a local community to provide one or a limited number of designated functions.  Sewer and refuse/recycling collection services are the designated functions of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District.

Are you part of the City of Costa Mesa? 

No.  We are a separate legal entity that was created in 1944, nine years before the City of Costa Mesa was incorporated.

How often does the Board of Directors meet?

The Board of Directors meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at District Headquarters.  The meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and are open to the public.

How long does each Director serve on the Board?

Each Director is elected by the public to serve a four year term.  There are no term limits to serving on the Board and elections are held every two years.

What is your service area?

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District services the entire community of Costa Mesa and parts of Newport Beach and the unincorporated County of Orange.

 

SEWER RELATED QUESTIONS:

Who do I call when there is a sewage backup?

During normal business hours (Monday – Thursday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm) and (Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm) contact District Headquarters at (949) 645-8400.  For after hours and weekends contact C&R Drains at (714) 641-1545.

How many miles of sewer mainline do you maintain?

We are responsible for maintaining 215 miles of pipeline.  We are also responsible for maintaining twenty (20) pump stations.

What is the leading cause for sewage backups?

There are several leading causes for sewage backups.

Tree Roots – Once inside the pipe, roots will continue to grow and if not disturbed, they will completely fill the pipe with multiple hair-like root masses at each point of entry.  The root mass inside the pipe becomes matted with grease, tissue paper and other debris discharged from the property owner.  As the roots continue to grow, they expand and exert considerable pressure at the crack or joint where they entered the pipe.  The force exerted by the root growth can break the pipe and may result in total collapse of the pipe.

Fats Oil Grease (FOG) – Fats, oil and grease in the sewer can build up on the side walls of pipes and actually reduce the diameter of the pipe.  This phenomenon does not just occur in restaurants, but is very common in residential sewers.

Flushable Wipes – While tree roots and FOG have been ahead of the pack for the leading causes of sewer backups, in recent years sewer agencies around the country are dealing with a new problem, flushable wipes.  Toilet paper manufacturing companies have been knowingly marketing these products as flushable over the last few years, but wastewater professionals are finding out these products are not safe for sewage systems.  Flushable wipes are supposed to be biodegradable and break up like normal toilet paper, but unfortunately they don’t. The wipes will stay firmly intact and do not disintegrate.  As a result, they will cling to the interior walls of pipeline and/or get hung up on snags inside the pipe.  They will also clog pumps from transporting sewage to treatment plants.

How can I prevent sewage backups?

Tree Roots – Rodding your lateral line often removes blockages.  Plumbers often will thread a flexible metal rod or cable with a cutting tool attached to the end of it into your sewer line.  However, this is a temporary fix if tree roots are involved.  Eventually, roots will grow back into your sewer line, so be sure to rod your lateral every year.

Fats Oil Grease (FOG) – Never pour grease and oils into drains, toilets or garbage disposals.  Pour grease and oil into an empty can and let it sit for a few hours until the grease and oil hardens.  Then, throw the can in the trash.  Wipe off grease, oils and fatty residue from cookware and dishware using disposable towels and place in the trash.

Flushable Wipes – Do not flush paper and cloth products down the toilet. Examples of products that you should not flush include paper towels, cloth or disposable diapers, flushable wipes, sanitary napkins and certain tampons.

What are the current sewer rates the District charges me?

The District has one of the lowest sewer rates in Orange County.  A single family household will pay $5.52 a month for sewer services.

TRASH & RECYCLING RELATED QUESTIONS: 

Are you responsible for picking up commercial and residential trash?

 

No.  The Costa Mesa Sanitary District is responsible for collecting residential refuse and recycling material.  The City of Costa Mesa is responsible for collecting commercial refuse.

How many cans do homeowners receive?

Each household receives two 60-gallon automated containers.

What can I put in my trash cans?

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District is one of the few agencies in Orange County that offers co-mingled refuse/recycling collection services.  That means you do not have to separate your recyclables and green waste from your trash.  Everything, except hazardous waste can be disposed of in your designated containers.  The materials in your containers are taken to a transfer station where the recyclables are removed from the refuse and shipped to the recycling markets.  The refuse is then transported to a local landfill.

This method of co-mingling collection services has proven to be convenient for residents as well as being more efficient and cost effective because fewer refuse trucks are in the community.

What is considered hazardous waste?

The following materials are considered hazardous waste and must not be mixed in with your trash.

Motor oil, motor oil filters, paints and solvents, transmission fluid, gasoline, medical waste (e.g. hypodermic needles), batteries, anti-freeze, pesticides and herbicides, cleaners (e.g. spot removers, oven cleaner, etc), e-waste (e.g. electronic devices, televisions, computers, fluorescent lamps and tubes, etc.).

If you are not sure if you have hazardous waste or you do not know how to dispose of it, please contact the District at (949) 645-8400.

Where do I place my trash cans on collection day?

• Containers should be placed at curbside no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
• Containers must be placed side-by-side approximately 1' foot apart and at least 3' feet from any obstruction. (i.e. fire hydrant, cars, trees, etc)
• Containers should be placed with the handles and wheels facing away from the street.
• Containers should be removed from curbside within 12 hours after service.
• Items not in containers will not be collected.

 

What are the current trash rates the District charges me?

The District has a very competitive trash rate where residents are charged $19.95 a month.

 Can I request an additional trash can?

Yes.  Additional cans cost $8.00 a month per can.  Please contact CR&R at (714) 826-9049 to request an additional trash can.

What holidays are observed for trash collection?

Trash collection will be delayed one day following the observed holidays below.

 

                        New Year’s Day

                        Memorial Day

                        4^th of July

                        Labor Day

                        Thanksgiving Day

                        Christmas 

Where can I dispose of hazardous waste?

The Orange Coast College Recycling Center is now a State Certified Collector of electronic waste (E-Waste).  They can accept televisions, computer monitors, computers, printers, fax machines, projectors etc.  They also accept household batteries and fluorescent light tubes and bulbs.  This also includes compact fluorescent light bulbs. Click on the link below for more information about OCC Recycling Center.

http://www.orangecoastcollege.edu/about_occ/facilities/recycling_center/

All other hazardous materials can be legally dispose of at the Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center located at 17121 Nichols Street – Gate 6 in the City of Huntington Beach.  The Center is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday.  For more information about HHW disposal contact (714) 834-6752 and at http://www.oclandfills.com

 

  

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