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1. Who will be responsible for the installation of individual private property connections?

Property owners will be responsible to install the private property connection (the connection from the home to the main sewer pipes). A notification to begin the connection process will be sent to property owners six months prior to having to connect their properties.

2. Will I have to connect my house to the sewer?

All customers within the phase boundaries will be required to connect to the sewer system when it becomes available. Property owners will have a choice for hiring a contractor and connecting their properties to the sewer mains that are installed within the streets. Each owner will also have a choice of financing these costs.

3. When will connections begin?

Connections to the sewer system will begin once the construction of the Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility is completed. It is scheduled to be completed sometime after May 2019.

4. How long will my sewer service be disconnected during this process?

In most cases, your current septic system would be left in service until the new connection is ready. It often takes only a single day to install a collection line that runs from a home or business to the property line and to abandon the septic system on site.

The efficiency of the process means that a typical home or business would only be out of service for 15 to 30 minutes.

5. What are the requirements of installing the private property connection?

The Town of Yucca Valley’s Building Department is currently working on developing the permit and inspection requirements.

6. Can I install my own private property connection?

If applying for the State’s Expanded Use Loan to finance costs for the private property connection, property owners may not be eligible if unlicensed contractors complete the work. Property owners must also check with the Town of Yucca Valley for its requirements.

7. Can the cost of hooking up to the sewer be financed or must owners pay cash?

The cost of hooking up to the sewer is separate from the assessment cost. This cost may be financed. Property owners will be able to finance their private sewer connection and have it reflected on their property taxes over 30 years.

8. How do I apply to finance my private property connection costs or get a grant?

Hi-Desert Water District will notify property owners six months prior to installing their private property connection to apply for a low interest Expanded Use Loan and provide further details about the process.

 You will be receiving a second notification two months after receiving your first notice with more details about how to apply for a grant or a loan.

9. What if I am unable to connect to the sewer within the time frame provided?

Connecting to the sewer in a timely manner is essential to meeting the Regional Water Quality Control Board's discharge prohibition requirements for your property, as well as to start the new sewer system. An extension can be requested by filling out a form and submitting it to the District. If an extension is not granted, then the Regional Water Quality Control Board will be in contact with the property owner.

10. What if I cannot afford to pay for my private sewer connection?

All Phase 1 property owners will have the opportunity to finance their private property connection cost through an Expanded Use Loan agreement with the District. Similar to the Assessment District loan, the Expanded Use Loan would be placed as a levy on your property, which allows you to make payments towards your costs for over 30 years at a 1.8% interest rate. (The cost of hooking up to the sewer is an additional cost and not included in your sewer assessment, but this cost may be financed along with any other required administration fees.)

If you are 62 years of age or older, occupy your single-family residence and meet eligibility requirements you may be eligible to receive a 504 grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for up to $7,500. Contact your local USDA office in Indio, CA for more information.

11. Where can I find an online form or more information about connecting to the sewer?

All of the forms and information related to connecting to the sewer is available 24/7 on the District’s Sewer Connections page.

12. Are there other costs I will need to pay for besides the connection cost?

Yes. Once you connect, you will be responsible for paying the annual or monthly Operations and Maintenance Fee for using the sewer. Between the time you connect up until the following cut-off date of June 30th (the District will submit property tax information to the County by August), the fee will be temporarily charged on the water bill before it starts to be collected through property taxes.

The Estimated Monthly Maintenance & Operation Fees

• Commercial contact the District (Billed monthly on water bill)
• Mobile Homes per unit (MHP) (all billed annually on property taxes)
• Multi-Family Residences per unit (MFR)
• Single Family Residences (EDU)

Estimated Monthly Maintenance Fees

Year	Dollar Amount Per EDU	Dollar Amount Per MFR	Dollar Amount Per MHP
2018	$41.50	$31.13	$24.90
2019	$42.75	$32.06	$25.65
2020	$44.03	$33.02	$26.42
2021	$45.35	$34.01	$27.21
2022	$46.01	$35.03	$28.03