◈ Homepage — https://www.cawd.org/Skip to main content Homepage of Carmel Area Wastewater District Select Language Abkhaz Acehnese Acholi Afar Afrikaans Albanian Alur Amharic Arabic Armenian Assamese Avar Awadhi Aymara Azerbaijani Balinese Baluchi Bambara Baoulé Bashkir Basque Batak Karo Batak Simalungun Batak Toba Belarusian Bemba Bengali Betawi Bhojpuri Bikol Bosnian Breton Bulgarian Buryat Cantonese Catalan Cebuano Chamorro Chechen Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Chuukese Chuvash Corsican Crimean Tatar (Cyrillic) Crimean Tatar (Latin) Croatian Czech Danish Dari Dhivehi Dinka Dogri Dombe Dutch Dyula Dzongkha Esperanto Estonian Ewe Faroese Fijian Filipino Finnish Fon French French (Canada) Frisian Friulian Fulani Ga Galician Georgian German Greek Guarani Gujarati Haitian Creole Hakha Chin Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hiligaynon Hindi Hmong Hungarian Hunsrik Iban Icelandic Igbo Ilocano Indonesian Inuktut (Latin) Inuktut (Syllabics) Irish Italian Jamaican Patois Japanese Javanese Jingpo Kalaallisut Kannada Kanuri Kapampangan Kazakh Khasi Khmer Kiga Kikongo Kinyarwanda Kituba Kokborok Komi Konkani Korean Krio Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kurdish (Sorani) Kyrgyz Lao Latgalian Latin Latvian Ligurian Limburgish Lingala Lithuanian Lombard Luganda Luo Luxembourgish Macedonian Madurese Maithili Makassar Malagasy Malay Malay (Jawi) Malayalam Maltese Mam Manx Maori Marathi Marshallese Marwadi Mauritian Creole Meadow Mari Meiteilon (Manipuri) Minang Mizo Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nahuatl (Eastern Huasteca) Ndau Ndebele (South) Nepalbhasa (Newari) Nepali NKo Norwegian Nuer Occitan Odia (Oriya) Oromo Ossetian Pangasinan Papiamento Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese (Brazil) Portuguese (Portugal) Punjabi (Gurmukhi) Punjabi (Shahmukhi) Quechua Qʼeqchiʼ Romani Romanian Rundi Russian Sami (North) Samoan Sango Sanskrit Santali (Latin) Santali (Ol Chiki) Scots Gaelic Sepedi Serbian Sesotho Seychellois Creole Shan Shona Sicilian Silesian Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Susu Swahili Swati Swedish Tahitian Tajik Tamazight Tamazight (Tifinagh) Tamil Tatar Telugu Tetum Thai Tibetan Tigrinya Tiv Tok Pisin Tongan Tshiluba Tsonga Tswana Tulu Tumbuka Turkish Turkmen Tuvan Twi Udmurt Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Venda Venetian Vietnamese Waray Welsh Wolof Xhosa Yakut Yiddish Yoruba Yucatec Maya Zapotec Zulu Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal About Us Customer Service Permits Departments Tours & Education Notices & News Employment Tours, Education and the Environment Here at CAWD we are very proud of how we close the environmental loop wherever possible. We protect the Bay while turning wastewater into new water supplies for the peninsula; we process our solids to make electricity for our plant; and we turn our solids into fertilizer for farms. Learn More Teasers 1 Pathogen Reports Read more → Memorial Day Holiday Closure Read more → District Partnership With Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) - High School Open Internship Opportunity   Read more → Grease Control in Restaurants - Plumbing Requirements Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) is the authority having jurisdiction for discharge of grease laden wastewater. The authority of CAWD... Read more → Request a tour The Carmel Area Wastewater District gladly provides free tours. Just download the forms and contact us to set one up! Tour Requests and Forms → About Special Districts As the most local form of government, special districts work hard every day to serve their constituents, Learn more about what makes special... Read more → Service Area Map-Parcel Lookup and Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Certificate CAWD District Map Parcel Lookup and Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Certificate → Shared Sewer Responsibility - Please Don't Flush Wipes The proper way to protect human health and the environment is to dispose of wipes in a trash can instead of the toilet. Disposing of wipes in the... Read more → Our History The Carmel Area Wastewater District was formed as the Carmel Sanitary District in 1908. At that time, the District provided septage facilities for... Read more → Our Mission The Carmel Area Wastewater District is a special district dedicated to the protection of the public health and the environment through the cost effective collection and treatment of wastewater and the return of clean water to the environment. Securely Pay Fees Online CAWD Newsletter District Map Reporting Sewer Spills Wipes Clog Pipes Request a tour Services Legal Notices Board Meetings May 28 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Jun 25 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Most Recent Agenda View Board Meetings Transparency & Compliance Resources SB 272 Enterprise System Catalog District Administrative Code District Ordinances & Resolutions Monterey County Election Procedure and Deadlines Surplus Disposition Report All Other Meetings May 27 2026 CAWD Hosting -  Central Coast Long-Term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN)-Committee  CAWD Hosting CCLEAN Meeting Most Recent Agenda Current Projects & Community Improvements Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement Project ALERT - Upcoming Road Closures for Paving Work Shown Below Read more → Santa Rita St and Guadalupe St Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project The project consists of the replacement of approximately 1.6 miles of gravity sanitary sewage pipeline servicing residential parcels. This includes... Read more → Bridge to Everywhere - Rio Park and CAWD Bridge Trail Project CAWD is working on plans for a new walking trail connection between Carmel-By-The-Sea and the State Park and Regional Park lands south of the... Read more → Engineering and Projects Find out more about current projects → Rio Park and CAWD Bridge Trail Video Watch this video to experience the proposed trail from Mission Trail to Highway 1. Read more → Pathogen Concentration Levels  Reporting Purpose and Limitations: Read more → Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL, CA, 93923 831-624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline Sign In Join our mailing list ◈ Interior Pages — 10 pages crawledCAWD Hosting - Central Coast Long-Term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN)-Committee CAWD Hosting CCLEAN Meeting - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment This item appears on CAWD Hosting - Central Coast Long-Term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN)-Committee May 27 2026 CAWD Hosting - Central Coast Long-Term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN)-Committee CAWD Hosting CCLEAN Meeting Join Remote Meeting Carmel Area Wastewater District is hosting the Central Coast Long-Term Environmental Assessment Network (CCLEAN) you are invited to attend a scheduled Zoom meeting. Physical Location of meeting: 3945 Rio Road, Carmel, CA 93923 Please take an additional 10 minutes prior to start of meeting to download Zoom All participants will be muted at the start of the meeting. If participants have a question please use the chat section. All participants have access during the meeting to be recognized and utilize the platform to speak. Please use the virtual "raised hand" to be acknowledged. Topic: Wednesday- May 27, 2026 Regular CCLEAN Committee Meeting You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 2:00 pm - Pacific Time (US and Canada) Steps to join the webinar: Please click the link below to join the webinar: Join the May 27, 2026 CCLEAN Meeting Dial by telephone to either of the following numbers: 1 (669) 900-9128 Webinar ID: 815 1219 4901 Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close Contact Us - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Contact Us Reporting Sewer Spills During Normal Business Hours Call: (831) 624-1248 After Normal Business Hours Call: Carmel Police Department at (831) 624-6403 and they will forward your message to our standby operators. CAWD Administration Offices Mon - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 3945 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA 93922 (831) 624-1248 CAWD Wastewater Treatment Plant Mon - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 26900 Hwy1, Carmel CA 93922 For General Email Inquires email: Or use the form below to send a message: Your name (required) Your email (required) Subject Message Attachment There was a problem saving your submission. Please try again later. Please wait while your submission is being saved... Submitting... Submit Thank you, your submission has been received. Reporting Sewer Spills How to report a sewage overflow Read more » District Map Check out your district map! Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close Pathogen Reports - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment This item appears on Homepage April 27, 2026 Pathogen Reports The Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) has participated in wastewater‑based epidemiology monitoring since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020. This program provides a non‑invasive, community‑level indicator of public health trends through the routine analysis of wastewater influent. The District’s monitoring is currently conducted in collaboration with Verily as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (CDC NWSS), with testing results made available to authorized District staff through Verily’s secure reporting platform. Click Here For The Current Monthly Pathogen Staff Reports: Monthly Lab Report 03122026.pdf Monthly Lab Report 02122026.pdf Monthly Lab Report 01092026.pdf Sign up to get monthly updates of the pathogen reports under join mailing list "sign up for pathogen reports" Reporting Purpose and Limitations: Wastewater‑based epidemiology results presented in the monthly staff report are analytical indicators only and do not identify individuals, households, or specific sources. Concentrations may be influenced by factors such as rainfall, industrial flows, sampling frequency, and analytical detection limits. Accordingly, trend data is presented for informational purposes and to support situational awareness, not regulatory or enforcement decisions. Beginning in 2026, CAWD will include a standing monthly staff report presenting summarized wastewater‑based epidemiology results for selected respiratory viruses and high‑risk substances . Each report will present rolling 12‑month trend data , allowing the Board and the public to observe changes over time rather than focusing solely on short‑term fluctuations. These indicators provide insights into broader community‑level viral activity and are used as an early‑warning and situational‑awareness tool rather than a measure of individual infection rates. Wastewater‑based monitoring has been demonstrated to complement traditional public health surveillance by identifying trends independent of clinical testing behavior. HtmlEmbed 2 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Influenza A Influenza B Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) In addition to pathogen surveillance, the monthly staff report will include wastewater‑based trend data for selected high‑risk substances. These indicators are intended to support regional public health awareness and inter‑agency coordination, not enforcement activities. The inclusion of these substances reflects the expanding application of wastewater‑based epidemiology as a tool for understanding communitywide exposure trends and informing public health response planning. Reported High Risk Substances Include : Fentanyl – Past 12 Months Methamphetamine – Past 12 Months Cocaine – Past 12 Months Xylazine (Tranq) – Past 12 Months Archived Reports SARS-CoV-2 Facility Influent Data Read more → Monkey Pox Facility Influent Data Read more → Influenza & Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Facility Influent Data Read more → Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL, CA, 93923 831-624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline Sign In Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment This item appears on River Elementary School Outreach Page Special Board - Scenic Rd Sewer Project Community Meeting Homeowner Special Request Questionnaire - Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement Project Current Projects Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement ALERT - Upcoming Road Closures for Paving Work Shown Below Overview The project would replace existing District sewer mains. The project includes the installation of a total of 10,561 linear feet (LF), or approximately 2.0 miles, of pipelines installed in place of existing pipes. The pipelines would be constructed via pipe bursting and open trench excavation. All excavation would be within roadway right-of-way and District easements within soils that were previously disturbed during installation of the existing pipeline. There are existing sewer laterals located along the project alignment that connect each home to the sewer main. A total of 235 lateral reconnections would be completed on streets where sewer line replacement would occur. The purpose of the project is to replace aging wastewater infrastructure and improve the long-term reliability of the wastewater system. Project Benefits Replace 75+ year old failing sewer mains Reduce risk of sewage leaks and spills Improve long-term reliability of the wastewater system New private lateral wye connections Project Status Construction will occur from late fall 2025 through to late summer 2026. Excavation Work on Scenic Rd Excavation Work on Scenic Rd Broken Clay Sewer Pipe in CAWD service area Pipe Staged on Scenic Rd Deep Underground Pipe Work Trenching Crew Pipe Bursting In Progress Documents Final IS-MND & MMRP Scenic Road Pipeline.pdf Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement - Notice of Availability (NOA) Notice of Intent (NOI).pdf Board Meetings January 25th, 2024 Board Meeting - Circulate Draft CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration July 25th, 2024 Board Meeting - Adopt Final CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration Community Outreach Meetings October 15th, 2025 - Community Meeting at the Carmel Foundation April 22nd, 2025 - Community Meeting at the Carmel Foundation June 3rd, 2024 - Carmel Residents Association June 27th, 2024 - Monterey County Association of Realtors July 24th, 2024 - Carmel Rotary Club January 14th, 2025 - County Service Area 1 Meeting Local Government Meetings March 3rd, 2025 - City of Carmel By The Sea City Council September 11th, 2024 - City of Carmel By The Sea Planning Commission Video Tour of Sewers Watch this video to learn why sewer improvement projects are necessary. Read more » Homeowner Special Request Questionnaire - Scenic Road Pipeline Replacement Project For homeowners living on streets where construction work will occur. Read more » CEQA Notices Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close About Special Districts - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment About Special Districts As the most local form of government, special districts work hard every day to serve their constituents, Learn more about what makes special districts so special.​​ What is a Special District? Special districts are created and funded by a community’s residents to provide new or enhanced local services and infrastructure. Local residents own special districts and govern them through locally elected or appointed board members. California Special Districts are passionate about providing high-quality services and resources in the most efficient and effective manner. Learn more at Districts Make the Difference » Resources for Good District Governance The California Special District Association (CSDA) is the voice for special districts, providing districts with the resources necessary to best serve their communities. CSDA offers education and training, legal advice, legislative advocacy, capital improvement funding, and current information that is crucial to special district management and operational effectiveness. Learn more at CSDA » Special District Transparency and Accountability The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote and recognize excellence in the governance and management of special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs. Their vision is that every special district in California has well trained, knowledgeable decision-makers and engages the public through a… Learn more at SDLF » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close CAWD Notices & News - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar CAWD Notices & News Barbara Buikema, General Manager Letter to Public 03-13-20 COVID-19.pdf Letter to Constituents and Public from Board of Directors Links to obtain additional information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Center for Disease Control and Prevention County of Monterey – Health Department California Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates Social Distancing Protocol: COVID-19-Social Distancing Protocol.pdf Bids & Awards Legal Notices CAWD publishes all public notices and announcements in the local paper and here on the site. You can also find printed copies taped to our door. Read more » Calendar Read more » Employment: Read more » District Partnership With Carmel Unified School District (CUSD) - High School Open Internship Opportunity March 25, 2026 (Wednesday) - 6:00- P.M. - If you have questions, please contact [email protected] Read more » Multi Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2022 Monterey County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHPM) Read more » Wipes Clog Pipes Read more » Pathogen Concentration Levels Reporting Purpose and Limitations: Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close Source Control and Pretreatment - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment Departments Engineering and Projects Collections Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Source Control and Pretreatment Waste Discharge Permits Who must obtain a Permit? Waste Discharge Permits are issued annually to all businesses with the potential to discharge fats, oils, and/or grease or toxic pollutants into the collection system. How is a Permit Obtained? How much does the Discharge Permit Cost? It is the business owner’s responsibility and obligation to obtain a permit from Carmel Area Wastewater District. The business owner can request a Permit by: Completing the application online or downloading it and completing it on your own. Please see the links on the side of this page for access to both of these ways. Visiting the Carmel Area Wastewater District Office located at 3945 Rio Road in Carmel, CA 93922. The Permit Fee is $150 annually. Revision of Fee - Approved Resolution 2019-27: RES 2019-27 Revising Fee for Industrial Discharge Permits.pdf Inspections Permitted businesses are routinely inspected to see if there have been any operational changes and to determine compliance with permit conditions. A typical inspection includes viewing grease trap or grease interceptor equipment, pretreatment systems, chemicals used, and reviewing documentation such as waste manifests, pretreatment operation and maintenance logs. Enforcement Permit violations may be identified during inspections or by reviewing monitoring data. Enforcement actions may include Compliance Orders requiring the proper installation of pretreatment equipment. Fines may be assessed for continued failure to comply with CAWD regulations. Waste Discharge Permits Discharge permits are required for all commercial kitchens within the District. Application and Fees must be submitted annually. Read more » Grease Control in Restaurants - Plumbing Requirements Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) is the authority having jurisdiction for discharge of grease laden wastewater. The authority of CAWD includes enforcement of grease control requirements for… Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close What Not to Flush - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush What Not to Flush Carmel Area Wastewater District values collaboration with the customers we serve. The most impactful way is for everyone to make a habit of only flushing bodily waste and toilet paper down our toilets. Using a toilet like a trash is the main cause of backups and clogs in your home. It also causes trouble in our sewer lines and our treatment system. More importantly it can be extremely dangerous to our environment, our beautiful coastal waterways, the ocean and to wildlife. This is something we take very seriously. In order to help everyone we have outlined the items that you should never flush and the reasons why. Download our helpful flyer for a quick guide of what should not be flushed. What NOT to Flush.pdf Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drugs The wastewater treatment process does not completely remove drugs so traces will end up in our bay. Our community offers many safe disposal options for drugs that protect you, your family, and our waterways. These locations accept both controlled* and non-controlled drugs (home-generated drugs only): Carmel Police Department- location at Junipero Avenue & 4th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea (24-hour lobby) Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP)- location at 23625 Holman Highway, Monterey (24-hour receptacle near the entrance) Seaside Police Department- located at 440 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside (Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) Disposal Tips: (1) Remove personal information from container labels or combine pills and capsules and seal in a plastic bag. (2) Leave liquids and creams in their original containers (black out personal information) and seal in a plastic bag. *Controlled drugs include sleeping pills, pain killers, behavioral drugs, cough syrup with codeine, and other drugs with great potential for abuse or addiction (see complete list). Controlled Substances List.pdf Fats, oils and grease Fats, oils and grease should never be poured down any drain or toilet. It may look like a liquid that can easily be dumped down a drain or flushed, but when it cools, it will congeal and clog up pipes. Instead collect them and throw them in the trash. Grease clogging a pipe Wipes Any wipes should not be flushed, even those that say they’re flushable. Baby, cleaning, facial and moist flushable wipes do not disintegrate the way toilet paper does. All these different wipes should be disposed of in the trash. Don't flush paper towels! You'll end up with a call to the plumber Paper Towel Roll Disposable diapers, nursing pads or feminine hygiene products These items are designed to expand so flushing them down a toilet will only lead to guaranteed clogs of your sewer line system and further down the system as well. Please dispose of these in the trash. Condoms These are also not designed to break down in water, so flushing them can cause clogs in toilets. Paper towels, rags & tissues You may think that paper towels or tissues aren’t very different from toilet paper, but they’re not designed to break down the way toilet paper does. In the event you need to use either in place of toilet paper, please place them in a wastebasket. Rags are not to be flushed either for the same reasons. Cigarette butts Flushing cigarette butts down the toilet flushes toxic chemicals into the water and into our eco system. They also can accumulate and clog our system. Needles/syringes Never flush sharps as they can injure wastewater workers and can potentially spread disease. Please dispose of syringes, lancets and EpiPens safely. Some disposal options are as follows: Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP)- located at 23625 Holman Highway, Monterey (24-hour receptacle near the entrance) CVS Pharmacy - located at 6 Crossroads, Carmel, purchase of a needle collection and disposal system. Drug company take-back programs: ask your doctor or see product packaging or website Sharps mail-back programs: MedPro , Sharps, Inc . Cotton swabs/balls You might think that cotton will break down, since some toilet paper is made from cotton linen (Cottonelle/Cottonsoft), but they don’t. They will clump together, causing stoppages at bends in the pipes. Bandages Dental floss and hair Floss is not biodegradable and can cause serious clogs and environmental damage. Floss turns into a net when flushed, catching and holding onto other debris. Like dental floss, hair forms a sort of net when you flush it down the drain and gets caught, plus, it floats, and it never dissolves in water. Kitty litter Some brands of kitty litter claim to be flushable, but most toilets don't use enough water to move the litter along properly in your pipes. It also adds more things to the water and makes it harder to purify. Cat waste from the litter box should also not be flushed, because the litter dehydrates the waste and toilets are meant to flush water-soluble waste. Household hazardous wastes Many common products contain hazardous chemicals that can pollute our groundwater, creeks, rivers, and bays. Common hazardous waste items: Batteries Florescent bulbs Paints Cleaners Oil, gasoline and auto fluids Pest and garden Visit the Monterey Regional Waste Management District ( MRWMD ) Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Monterey Peninsula landfill in Marina to safely recycle or dispose of household hazardous waste. This brochure provides details on hazardous materials accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Household Hazardous Waste brochure.pdf Shared Sewer Responsibility - Please Don't Flush Wipes The proper way to protect human health and the environment is to dispose of wipes in a trash can instead of the toilet. Disposing of wipes in the toilet can cause expensive sewage backups in homes… Read more » Did You Know? Flushed Kitty Litter Harms Sea Otters Years of careful studies have confirmed that parasites passed by bobcats, feral cats and our domestic cats are killing sea otters. Toxoplasma gondii enters the ocean via stormwater and wastewater… Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mail Collections - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Collections COLLECTION INTRODUCTION Wastewater Collections is the conveyance of wastewater from a business or residence to the wastewater treatment plant using underground pipes and lift stations. The CAWD collection system is comprised of approximately 81 miles of gravity sewers ranging in size from 6 inches to 27 inches in diameter together with nearly 4 miles of force mains, 7 pump stations, and over 1,500 manholes. The major trunk sewers include the Carmel Valley Interim Trunk Sewer which serves Rancho Rio Vista, portions of Carmel Views, the Carmel Rancho Shopping Center, Hacienda Carmel, Del Mesa Carmel, Quail Meadows and outlying areas at the mouth of the Carmel Valley; the Hatton Canyon Sewer (which joins the Carmel Valley Trunk sewer at the intersection of State Route 1 and Rio Road) serves the High Meadows, Carmel Knolls and portions of the Carmel Hills subdivisions; two trunk sewers serve the city of Carmel and the Hatton Fields areas. The Carmel Meadows subdivision is sewered separately. Pump stations are located at (1) the westerly boundary of Hacienda Carmel, (2) the westerly terminus of 8th Avenue (at Scenic Drive), (3) the intersection of Monte Verde Street and Sixteenth Avenue, (4) west side of Scenic Road approximately 200 feet north of Ocean View Avenue, (5) the end of Calle La Cruz (Carmel Meadows) (6) at the westerly boundary of the Carmel Meadows subdivision approximately 750 feet southwesterly of the Calle La Cruz pump station and (7) on the West side of Highlands Drive approximately 100 yards from Highway 1. All pump stations have been upgraded to allow remote monitoring and have capabilities for standby power and emergency bypass. The five person collection system maintenance crew cleans the entire system a minimum of once annually and performs routine repair work as necessary. Collections team members WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A SEWER BACKUP If you see water backing up in your sinks, shower, toilet or yard call CAWD immediately for a free inspection. Backups are an emergency so don’t hesitate to call us day or night. We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our friendly, professional staff will determine if the stoppage is in the main line (our problem) or the lateral line (your responsibility). If you call a plumber you will pay regardless of who is at fault. Your yard’s sewer overflow device may look like a capped pipe or a mushroom. Keep it clear of soil and debris to prevent back-ups into your home. For help finding your clean-out / Sewer Relief Valve or for a free inspection please call us at (831) 624-1248. Application for Plumbing Permit Submit a check or cash to cover the fee for the sewer lateral permit. Fee structure : All work on property $130.00 or Work on property and in the street $250.00 Provide a copy of the required insurance documents (see above) Call the District Inspector at 831-574-6700 at least 24 hours prior to your desired time of inspection Insurance Requirements For Plumbing Permits when the Homeowner is Completing the Sewer Work . A copy of the homeowner's policy . And a notarized statement releasing CAWD from all responsibility (template below) Homeowner letter of release of liability.docx Insurance Requirements for Plumbing Permits with a Professional Licensed Plumber- Endorsement can be CG20-10 or CG20-13 (specific permits) Insurance Requirements For Plumbing Permits-CG20-13 How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Permit Present the current Certificate Of Insurance (COI) for commercial general liability, automobile liability, and workers compensations, at the CAWD administrative office, located at 3945 Rio Road, Carmel, CA 93922. (COI's) have a policy effective date for one year. Each year a new (COI) must be updated at the CAWD administrative office. The (COI) must have a general description of work and list CAWD as the certificate holder The (COI) must attach CG20 13 or a comparable authorized certificate Complete the current Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Application Form: Useful Links State Water Resources Control Board Central Coast Regional Water Board Homeowner Tips For Your Sewer Lines Basics of Sewer Laterals Read more » Securely Pay Fees Online Pay Fees On-Line https://www.govpaynow.com/gps/user/cyg/plc/a0042z » Reporting Sewer Spills How to report a sewage overflow Read more » Wastewater Collection System Asset Management Plan Read more » Sewer lateral inspection and replacement ordinance District Ordinance Read more » District Map Check out your district map! Read more » Certificate of Insurance & Plumbing Permit- Contact The District has changed the process on verifying COI. Please contact Certificial via the email information below or the telephone number to ensure that your clients COI is compliant. The verification… Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Join our mailing list × Search results Search Search Close Governance - Carmel Area Wastewater District Skip to main content Contact Us Pay Online Board Portal Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Customer Service Pay Fees Online Customer FAQs Sewer User Rates Permits Plumbing Permits New Sewer Connection Permits Waste Discharge Permits Departments Engineering and Projects Collections District Map SSMP How To Obtain A Sewer Lateral Plumbing Permit Insurance Requirements for Permits Online Bill Pay Treatment Operations Reclamation Reclamation Budget Lab Pathogens Source Control and Pretreatment Tours & Education Tours Education Sea Level Rise Environment and Sustainability What Not to Flush Notices & News Newsletter Current Projects Bid Opportunities CEQA Notices Calendar Employment About Us CAWD Mission Statement Governance District Administrative Code Board Meetings & Agendas Board Members Financial Transparency All Other Meetings Ordinances & Resolutions Staff Service Area Facilities History Contact Us Pay Fees Online Governance Board of Directors Meetings The Board of Directors meets the last Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the District’s office at 3945 Rio Road unless otherwise noted. Meetings are open to everyone and comments from the public are heard at each meeting. If you wish to speak on a matter not listed on the agenda as posted, you may do so during the public comment portion of the meeting. No action may be taken upon a matter not… Read more » Board Members Carmel Area Wastewater District is governed by a five-person Board of Directors elected to four-year terms by the registered voters throughout the District’s service area. The Directors are responsible for policy decisions which govern the operations of the District. Read more » District Transparency Our District is dedicated to operating in a transparent manner, and posts relevant financial and operational documents to our site as they become available. Read more » District Ordinances & Resolutions The most recent CAWD Ordinance was approved on September 26, 2024 at the District's monthly regular Board Meeting. Read more » Archived Resolutions Here is the archive for past resolutions Read more » Our Mission Read more » Copyright © 2026 Carmel Area Wastewater District 3945 RIO RD, CARMEL CA 93923 Telephone (831) 624-1248 Privacy Policy Contact Us District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Sign up for updates from Carmel Area Wastewater District Thanks for signing up! There was an error saving your request. Please make sure you entered a valid email. Enter your email address: News and Updates Rio Road Community Letter Corona Road Area Annexation & Assessment District Sign Up For Pathogen Reports 02-25-2021 CAWD Regular Board Meeting Zoom Link for public participation Monkey Pox CAWD Connections Newsletter Request For Proposal - Executive Coaching Request For Proposal (RFP) Investment Management Services For the Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan Sign Up This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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