CSA70 S3 - Lytle Creek 

The community of Lytle Creek is situated entirely within the San Bernardino National Forest. The CSA 70 Improvement Zone S-3, is located in the eastern San Gabriel Mountain Range, approximately fourteen miles northwest of the City of San Bernardino.  The elevations in Lytle Creek Canyon vary from 2,600 feet to over than 5,000 feet. Lytle Creek Canyon includes communities known as Happy Jack, Scotland, Bonita and Applewhite Campground.  

The wastewater collection system consists of approximately 14,400 LF of 4-inch house laterals, approximately 3,500 linear feet (LF) of 8-inch gravity sewer mains, approximately 2,000 LF of 6” gravity sewer mains, approximately 1,300 LF of 6” force main, approximately 2,600 LF of 4” force main, and two lift stations.  The collection system discharges to the Lytle Creek WWTP, which was designed for a maximum flow of 160,000 gallons per day (gpd). The wastewater treatment consists of preliminary treatment with screening and a comminutor, secondary treatment with an oxidation ditch and clarification, two percolation ponds, and sludge drying beds. The wastewater treatment plant is supplied with fresh water for plant use from an onsite 400-foot deep well.

In 1976, the  Board of Supervisors were presented with two alternatives for the wastewater facilities plan for CSA No.70, Improvement zone S-3, Lytle Creek, San Bernardino County, California.  Prior to the construction of the sewer collection facilities, the wastewater system was segregated into sanitary wastes or black wastes and grey water.  Sanitary wastes were pumped from holding tanks on an as needed basis to County’s Cajon landfill; whereas grey wastes, which were about 90% of wastewater. were disposed of through on-site grease traps and leach fields. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Santa Ana Region on December 11, 1981 adopted Board Order 81-228, which established Waste Discharge Requirements for the Lytle Creek WWTP.   Prior to the adoption of Board Order No. 81-228 (WDR 81-228), the County of San Bernardino, Department of Special Districts submitted a Report of Waste Discharge, dated September 30, 1981, for the proposed discharge of treated sewage effluent from its Lytle Creek WWTP together with the EIR.  Upon review of the EIR, the Board found that the Project would not have significant environmental impacts on water quality if conducted within the provisions of order No. 81-228.

The continued operation of the Lytle Creek wastewater collection system and WWTP are vital to the health and safety of persons living within the Lytle Creek drainage basin.  Without adequate and operational sanitation facilities, the possibility exists of contamination of the groundwater from sewage seepages and overflows.  Many of the people living within the valley rely on groundwater as the potable water source. WDR 95-32 prohibits the discharge of wastes into Lytle Creek unless an exemption is granted.  County Health regulations require any dwelling within 200 feet of an existing sewer to connect to the sewer.