Sewer Information

Who We Are

Kern Sanitation Authority, Ford City Taft Height Sanitation Districts, and County Service Areas that provide sewer permits and services to county residents under the Public Works Department. We do operate two wastewater plants owned by the districts, and over two County Service Area (CSA) wastewater treatment facilities. The Public Works Department also provides maintenance or treatment services for several CSA wastewater collection systems. The Board of Supervisors serve as the members of the Board of Directors for the two districts.

Kern Sanitation Authority

In the 1940s, East Bakersfield area residents petitioned the Board of Supervisors to form several Sanitation Districts to manage wastewater. In 1991, these districts became the Kern Sanitation Authority (KSA). The Kern County Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 4101 Kimber Avenue. Sewer maintenance questions or comments can be directed to (661) 868-8285. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026. For "Will Serve" letters or "Requests for Laterals" contact (661) 862-8808.

Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District

Ford City-Taft Heights is a County Sanitation District (FC-THSD) which manages wastewater from the unincorporated areas of Ford City and Taft Heights. Sewer collection for the two communities joins the City of Taft system and gravity flows to the Taft Wastewater Treatment Plants. The Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 1120 East Ash Street, is jointly owned by the City of Taft (52%) and the Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District (48%). The City of Taft operates the sewer plant through a contract with the Kern Sanitation Authority.

Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026, and or maybe to the Taft Police Department at (661) 763-3101 or by calling the District at (661) 868-8285. Note: The majority of the lots in the south area of Taft are on septic systems.

Sheriff’s Lerdo Facility Wastewater System

The Sheriff’s Lerdo Wastewater Treatment facility is owned by the County of Kern. The sewer plant provides wastewater treatment for the Sheriff’s Lerdo jail and the adjacent juvenile facility. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 496-5129 and (661) 203-6026.

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area Wastewater System

The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area Wastewater Treatment facility is owned by the County of Kern. The facility provides wastewater treatment for the recreation area which includes a 112-unit overnight campground and its accompanying car and boat parking lots. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026 and (661) 868-8287.

Reeder Tract County Service Area 39.8 Wastewater System

The Reeder Tract wastewater facility is owned by County Service Area 39.8, which is administered by the Kern County Public Works Department. The facility provides wastewater treatment for a residential area between the communities of Lake Isabella and Bodfish. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026 or by contacting CSA/KSA at (661) 868-8287.

Lakeshore Pines County Service Area 39.1 Wastewater System

The Lakeshore Pines wastewater facility is owned by County Service Area 39.1, which is administered by the Kern County Public Works Department. The facility is a septic system that provides wastewater treatment for residential development on the shore of Lake Isabella. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026 or by contacting CSA/KSA at (661) 868-8287.

County Service Areas/CSAs, (CSA 71 and Others)

There are approximately 100 County Service Areas (CSAs) within the County of Kern. CSA 71 is one of the major county service areas that is almost 37 square miles. CSA 71 has two agreements, one is with the City of Bakersfield and the second with North of the River Sanitation District to provide sewer services to county residents within their sphere of service influence. All sewer permits must be obtained from us prior to the final building permit issuance. Sewer problems and emergencies should be reported to (661) 203-6026 or by contacting CSA at (661) 862-8808.

What We Do

Kern Sanitation Authority

Approximately 4 million gallons of industrial, commercial, and domestic wastewater from nearly 40,000 people in East Bakersfield, is treated each day at the KSA Treatment Plant. Wastewater treatment is obtained via a headworks screening unit; two primary clarifiers; an anaerobic digester; two trickling filters; two secondary clarifiers and recirculation pumps. Plant effluent is used to irrigate 1,100 acres of adjacent farmland owned by the Authority. The biosolids produced at the plant are treated to the highest Class A EQ level and hauled to a composting facility. No chemicals are used to treat wastewater at the Kern Sanitation Authority sewer plant.

100% of the wastewater received and processed at the sewer plant is reused. Natural processes clean up the wastewater so it can be used for the irrigation of non-food crops. Sedimentation occurs when heavier particles in the wastewater settle to the bottom of a tank where they are removed for further treatment in the digester. Biological treatment occurs when microorganisms absorb dissolved nutrients from the wastewater. The microorganisms then settle to the bottom of another sedimentation tank, where they are sent to the digester together with the materials they removed from the water. The digester “cooks” the solids at 98 degrees Fahrenheit in the absence of air. The digested solids are relatively free of infectious agents and are suitable, after drying and aging, for nonfood crop fertilizer use and soil reclamation.

Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District

The Ford City-Taft Heights Sanitation District is a 48% joint owner of the Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant. Wastewater treatment is obtained via a headworks; four aerated facultative ponds; a chlorine contact basin; an effluent holding pond; solar sludge drying beds and a 135-acre effluent disposal area.

County Service Areas/CSAs, (CSA 71 and Others)

There are approximately 100 County Service Areas (CSAs) within the County of Kern. CSA 71 is one of the major county service areas that is almost 37 square miles. We oversee all water and sewer developments within CSA 71. We coordinate with other government agencies, such as the City of Bakersfield, North of the River Sanitation District, and water agencies to make sure that these services are being permitted, designed, and constructed in accordance with code and regulations. We respond to sewer overspill and sewer inspections.

Sheriff’s Lerdo Facility Wastewater System

Approximately 400,000 gallons of wastewater, generated by the Sheriff’s Lerdo Jail and nearby juvenile facility inmates and offices are treated each day at the wastewater treatment facility. Wastewater treatment is obtained via a headworks; two surface aerated lagoons, and irrigation regulating reservoir, and an effluent disposal area.

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area Wastewater System

A maximum of 200,000 gallons of wastewater, generated by visitors and staff, are treated each day at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. Wastewater treatment is obtained in an extended aeration package plant that consists of an aeration chamber; a clarifier and a digester. Effluent disposal is accomplished in two fenced percolation/evaporative ponds which total two acres.

Reeder Tract County Service Area 39.8 Wastewater System

A maximum of 40,000 gallons of domestic wastewater, from the Reeder Tract area adjacent to Lake Isabella, are treated each day at the Reeder Tract Wastewater Treatment Facility. Wastewater treatment is obtained in an extended aeration package plant with flow equalization, aeration, sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, filtration, disinfection, and appurtenant facilities. Effluent is used for landscape irrigation at the treatment plant and for spray irrigation on nine acres of an undeveloped portion of Lake Isabella Park.

Collection System Maintenance

Sewer maintenance for KSA and the FC-THSD is provided by Kern County Public Works staff based at the KSA sewer plant. Staff performs sewer collection system cleaning, televising, and vector control, as well as, pipeline maintenance and repair for the districts and wastewater facilities that the staff operates. Sewer line cleaning, televising, and vector control is also provided for several CSA wastewater collection systems. The sewer maintenance crew is on-call 24-hours per day, responding to customer sewer stoppage calls and sewage overflow incidents.

Sewer Plan Check Reviews and Inspections

Our staff review water and sewer plans for new developments, additions of new living units, and connection to any sewer main lines within our jurisdictions. Any inspection requires 48 hours’ notice, Contact our staff for more details (661) 862-8808.

Sewer Permits

Sewer permits are required for new lateral connections to CSAs, and to a sanitation district’s sewer mains, and for any modifications, extensions, etc., of an existing lateral line. The lateral is the sewer pipe extending two feet from the structure to the connection with the sewer main. Property owners are responsible for routine maintenance of their private lateral sewer lines and removing obstructions and/or damage to their private sewer laterals via a licensed plumber. Customers may obtain a sewer permit, fee information, or a sewer connection inspection from the Public Works Department between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 2700 “M” Street, Suite 100, in the Public Services Building. Contact them at (661) 868-8285.

How do I avoid blockages in the sewer system?

• Do not put grease down any drain. Grease will clog the lines when it cools and congeals.
• Do not plant trees over your sewer main connection or sewer later line. Tree roots growing into sewer pipelines are a common cause of a blockage.
• Do not put sticks and trash in manholes. Trash in the manholes causes sewage spills and blockages in the collection system.
• Do not pour any chemicals such as old paint, gasoline, oil, paint thinner, and other similar products down the drain. Chemicals pose a risk to your sewer pipes; your property; our wastewater treatment plant and the dedicated people who maintain the sewer collection system.

Public Educational Flyer - What Not to Flush

Contact

Storm Drains – County
(661) 862-8891

Missing Sewer Lids – County
(661) 862-8891 or (661) 203-6026

County Service Areas (CSAs)
(661) 862-8808
(661) 862-5115

Contact Numbers for Other Sewer Districts

City of Arvin Sewer District
(661) 854-2421

City of Bakersfield Sewer District
Maintenance from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM: (661) 326-3111
After hours, holidays and weekends: (661) 327-7111
Administration: (661) 326-3249

Boron Community Services District
(760) 762-6127

California City Sewer District
(760) 373-7191
(760) 373-7199

East Niles Sewer District
(661) 871-2011

NOR Sanitary Sewer District
(661) 399-6411

Lamont Public Utilities District
(661) 845-1213

Lost Hills Public Utilities District
(661) 797-2903

Rosamond Community Services District
(661) 256-3411

Septic Systems

Information on septic systems should be obtained from previous property owner. However, if you do not have information on your system, contact Kern County Environmental Health at (661) 862-8740 or the County Building Department - Inspection Division at (661) 862-8650 to determine if they have records on your property's septic system.

Septic Tank Waste Pumping (Metro Bakersfield)
City of Bakersfield Plant #2
(661) 832-2851