Show All Answers

1. Can I flush my pool water onto the ground or down a storm drain?

The City of Mill Valley urges residents to work with pool service providers that commit to flushing pool water into the sewer system instead of into the ground or down the storm drain.

Because many of us swim in chlorinated water at relatively high concentrations, we often don't fully understand the toxicity of chlorine on the natural habitat that surrounds us. It's quite simple, the concentration of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) in pool water is high enough to pollute a body of water 10 to 100 times its size if sent to the storm drain.

Because every storm drain in the City of Mill Valley empties into a sensitive natural body of water, such as a creek or wetland, introducing chlorine into those creeks and wetlands kills fish and frogs and the aquatic bugs they feed on.

City officials urge residents not to hire a pool service company that is unwilling to flush pool water into the sewer system.

2. I have a question about my trash service. Who do I call?

Trash service is provided in Mill Valley by Mill Valley Refuse Service. Contact information:

• Phone: 415-457-9760
• Office Hours: Monday through Friday between 7 am and 3 pm
• After Hours: Please leave a message on our 24-hour voice mail system at 415-457-9760
• Mailing address:
  Mill Valley Refuse Service
  112 Front Street
  San Rafael, CA 94901
• Website: View the Mill Valley Refuse website

3. What do I do with my old batteries from home?

The City of Mill Valley participates in a battery recycling program. You can drop off your old household and cell phone batteries (sorry, no automotive batteries) at one of the following collection points:

• City Hall
• Community Center
• Library
• Public Safety Building
• SASM Wastewater Treatment Plant

Look for the Blue Battery Recycling Barrel.

4. What can be recycled?

Not sure what to recycle? See the Mill Valley Refuse Service's recycling guide online for a list of items they'll accept for recycling, and how to prepare them for pick-up.

5. How can I reduce my waste?

You'll find lots of useful information on Mill Valley Refuse Service's website site about how to reduce waste on their Zero Waste page.

6. What if I see something dumped into a creek?

Contact the Department of Public Works as soon as possible. If it is after hours, call the Dispatch Center at 415-389-4100

7. I have been reading about the sewage treatment plant being overwhelmed during heavy rainstorms. I thought sewers were separate from storm drains. How can this happen and is there anything I can do?

There are two main reasons for this problem. One is the connection of storm drains to the sewer system, which is illegal. If you have a downspout or area drain connected to your sewer, this should be corrected so the stormwater is discharged in an appropriate manner. The other common cause of this problem is old sewer lines, both City mains and private laterals. Older sewers were made of clay pipe, which can break or separate over the years, allowing rainwater in the ground to get into the pipe that leads to the treatment plant. You are strongly urged to have your lateral inspected and replaced if it is clay pipe. This will help reduce potential overflows at the SASM treatment plant.