Arrowhead Farms Septic to Sewer Project

Project Background

SBMWD has partnered with the San Bernardino County Division of Public Works to undertake a project that will connect over 200 properties in the County area of Arrowhead Farms to existing sewer lines and to abandon and remove septic systems. 

SBMWD is working with the State Water Resources Control Board to secure grant funding for this project through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program. If grant funding is secured, connecting to SBMWD's public sewer line may be done at no cost to participating owners and occupants as part of the proposed Septic to Sewer Project in Arrowhead Farms. 

As part of the grant program funding requirements, the State has requested signatures of property owners and occupants who wish to participate in this project. As such, we are collecting these signatures with Opt-In Forms and Right of Entry Agreements. Signed Opt-in Forms and Right of Entry Agreements can be emailed to sewerinfo@sdd.sbcounty.gov 

Project Benefits

By switching to municipal sewer services through the proposed Septic to Sewer Project, participating homeowners can benefit from a free connection to the public sewer system, avoiding upwards of $35,000 of construction costs and connection fees, increasing your property value, and reducing or eliminating owner costs to maintain, repair and/or abandon existing septic systems. 

Septic to sewer conversions also carry an important benefit to public health. Septic tanks, particularly aging units, are a major contributing factor to pollution. Failing septic tanks can cause contaminants and pathogens such as nitrates, phosphorous and fecal coliform to seep into the soil and potentially spill onto your property, into the public right of way, or into groundwater. Conversion projects such as this one eliminate the chance for these hazardous spills and associated remediation costs.

If grant funding is secured, the proposed project can:

  • Increase property values
  • Provide no-cost connections to the municipal sewer system
  • Provide no-cost construction work to abandon existing septic tanks
  • Reduce failing septic tanks and spills hazardous to public health
  • Improve the quality of groundwater in the community
  • Eliminate costly septic system maintenance and repairs for property owners

What Will the Project Cost Me?

There will be no cost for property owners and occupants in the project area to connect to SBMWD’s sewer system. The costs to convert these septic system to sewer will be paid by the CWSRF grant and are estimated to be over $35,000 in value for each residential property. 

If grant funding is secured, the following expenses will be covered by SBMWD for project participants:

  • Sewer connection construction costs and all associated fees.
  •  Abandonment of septic tanks
  • Post-construction yard restoration

How Do I Participate?

Participating properties must be located within the pre-defined project area.  SBMWD will only proceed with this proposed project if grant funding can be secured. To secure funding, signatures from property owners and occupants in the proposed project area are needed. If enough property owners within the project area opt-in, with their signature the project may secure the necessary funding to proceed. 

Signed Opt-in Forms and Right of Entry Agreements can be emailed to sewerinfo@sdd.sbcounty.gov 

Signing the attached Opt-in Form and Right of Entry Agreement does not guarantee that the project will be completed. Completion of the Septic to Sewer Project is contingent upon receiving the required funding, and the Property Owner’s and Occupant’s cooperation in any project requests and requirements as needed

Participating property owners must also sign an Irrevocable Agreement to Annex to the City of San Bernardino before the conversion from septic to public sewer is executed. Additionally, those that choose to connect to the public sewer system must also agree to assume monthly sewer service charges as outlined in SBMWD’s Rule and Regulation No. 21 Rates and Charges. As of July 1, 2025, Single Family Residential Wastewater Service Charges are set as a flat monthly rate of $52.90. A full schedule of all SBMWD Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges can be viewed www.sbmwd.org/234/rates.

Contact information

The outreach consultant for this project, Maria Elena Kennedy, is available to speak with you in-person, by phone, or via e-mail. Please contact her at (626) 374-8910. 

View Printable PDF