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 661-862-8852.
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, sewer fees or other County Sewer District or CSA Sewer information from Kern County Public Works between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Public Services Building located at 2700 “M” Street, contact them at 661-862-8808. For sewer permit inspection contact them at 661-868-8285 between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For CSA related dry sewer inspection contact CSA staff at 661-862-8852 to schedule that inspection.
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 put kitchen oil or high-fat liquids (cream or half & half) down any drain. These liquids collect within a property’s sewer lines and reduce the line’s capacity over time until the sewer line is not useful or clogged.
- Do not plant trees over your sewer main connection or sewer lateral 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
