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2004 Press Releases

Refuse Cart Placement on Heyer Avenue

(12/27/04)

Anyone driving on Heyer Avenue between Center Street and Cull Canyon Road on garbage collection day has probably encountered problems with the refuse carts set out at the curb due to the narrowness of that part of street. Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC), in an effort to make the street more driveable on refuse collection day, is asking the residents on the south side of the street to now place their carts on the sidewalk next to the curb rather than on the street. There will still be adequate space for pedestrians, and this should alleviate the problem of having the cars on the street trying to maneuver around the carts. All residents to be affected by this change will be receiving a letter of notification from WMAC; questions should be directed to WMAC at (510) 537-5500.

Christmas and New Years Holiday

(12/17/04)

Waste Management’s collection of garbage, recycling and greenwaste will be on regular schedule this holiday season as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Saturday. Therefore, the collection of services will be on your regular garbage, recycling, greenwaste day.

Castro Valley Sanitary District Holiday Tree Collection

(12/08/04)

width=43This year, holiday trees will be collected by Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) in the Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) on your scheduled collection day between January 3rd - 7th and January 10th -14th. Please place your tree curbside on your regular collection day during either of the two weeks. If your regular collection day is Monday, you can put your tree out either Monday the 3rd or 10th; if your day is Tuesday, you can put it out either Tuesday the 4th or the 11th , and so on. Those who live in apartments may put their trees curbside on the day that the single-family residents on their street have collection service.

Trees must be cut into lengths of 6 feet or less. Flocked trees are acceptable. No plastic bags, tinsel, ornaments or decorations. Remove nails from the tree stand. After January 14th, trees will not be collected curbside. To recycle trees after this date, cut them up and place them in your yardwaste container. If you have questions call WMAC at 510-537-5500.

Waste Management Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards

(11/23/04)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) held a Waste Management Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards ceremony on November 17th at District offices. Appreciation lunches and awards are held three times a year to show gratitude to the Waste Management (WM) drivers that service CVSD. A BBQ luncheon was prepared and served by CVSD’s Board of Directors. WM driver Mike Saylor was recognized for the least amount of service misses (garbage and recycling) for the past six months and WM driver Carlos Costa was recognized for best service (garbage and recycling) for the past six months. CVSD would like to thank all WM drivers and staff for their service in the collection of solid waste.

Bulky Pick-Up Collection for Castro Valley Sanitary District Residents

(11/18/04)

Have you taken advantage of your FREE yearly bulky pick-up? If you live in the Castro Valley Sanitary District and live in a single family home (or pay your own garbage bill) you qualify for one bulky pick-up per calendar year (January - December). The program includes the disposal of up to: 4 passenger car or light truck tires, 3 large appliances, 3 large furniture items, 2 cubic yards of garbage, and tree prunings and branches (up to 6 diameter), which must be tied in bundles not longer than 4''. The program does not accept rocks, dirt, concrete, items over 75 pounds (exception: appliances) or hazardous materials. Waste Management requests that you remove or seal refrigerator doors and place garbage only in disposable containers.

To schedule a pick-up or ask questions about acceptable items, call Waste Management at (510) 537-5500; or visit the Castro Valley Sanitary District’s website at www.cvsan.org/recycling.htm
for more information.

Thanksgiving Holiday (11/18/04)

WMAC observes Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, as a holiday. Garbage, recycling and greenwaste collection services will take place one day late for the remainder of the week. (i.e., Thursday’s collection will take place on Friday, and Friday’s collection will take place on Saturday.

Veteran''s Day Holiday (1103/04)

The collection of garbage, recycling, and greenwaste will be on a regular schedule the week of Monday, November 8th.

CVUSD Receives $34,000 in Incentives Money

(10/28/04)

Recycling has become second nature for students and staff in the Castro Valley Unified School District, and now their efforts have paid off. Karen Smith, Susan Katchee and Mark Cullors of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (ACWMA), along with Roland Williams and Noelle Hartshorn from the Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) were present at the October 27th School Board meeting to hand over a check for $34,074.00 to the school board and Michael Miller, Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation.

CVSD applied for this one time incentives grant from the ACWMA and each of thirteen (13) school sites plus the school district office will receive an portion of the amount for their recycling efforts.

Along with recycling bins for each classroom and office area, the Authority and CVSD have provided recycling training, assistance and encouragement to the schools. And as Mr. Miller noted, CVUSD receives free recycling service through CVSD’s contract with Waste Management, so the more the schools recycle the more money they can save. The schools are presently recycling 25% of their waste, and Ms. Katchee stated that they are well on their way to be at 30% by the end of this school year.

Castro Valley Sanitary District''s a Green Business

(10/21/04)

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Castro Valley Sanitary District’s office and corporation yard have been certified as a “Green Business” by the Bay Area Green Business Program. In order to become certified the District met environmental compliance requirements, as well as achieved exceptional pollution prevention and conservation of resources. CVSD offices were dedicated in November 1997 and all 4,700 square feet of the building incorporated environmental building materials and practices, showing that recycled and nontoxic materials can be manufactured into a variety of quality products. The District has demonstrated that constructing a “green” office can be cost-competitive and professional looking as well as better for the environment.
The Bay Area Green Business Program will be recognizing the District on October 28, 2004 at their Recognition Dinner. The Bay Area Green Business Program will also be presenting the District with a Green Business Certificate at the November 9, 2004 monthly Board of Directors’ meeting.

Residents are always welcome to tour the Castro Valley Sanitary District offices, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley work days from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Questions or directions
to the District office, please call (510) 537-0757.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District''s 8th Annual Recycled Art Contest Awards Ceremony

(10/20/04)

On October 19th the Castro Valley Sanitary District held its 8th Annual Recycled Art Contest Ceremony. The contest, which was held in the CVSD administrative offices, was designed to encourage people to discover the value of items that would otherwise be discarded.

Over 130 family members and friends showed up to celebrate the winning entries, which were divided into ten categories: CVSD residents; Castro Valley students grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, Best Class Effort for each school grade category, and Best Adult Collaborative Effort. First prize winners were awarded $250, second place $100, third place $50, $25 for honorable mention and $100 for the Best Class Efforts and the Best Adult Collaborative Effort. Prize-winning students’ schools received equivalent cash awards, and all participants received a certificate of appreciation.

The ceremony followed an open house to tour the 115 pieces of recycled art, and refreshments were served afterward. Many art pieces will be picked up from the District by November 1st, so come on in before then to view the creative uses of salvaged materials. Some winning entries will continue to be displayed throughout the year.

For more information contact Noelle Hartshorn
at (510)537-0987.

Calling All Artists! Enter the Castro Valley Sanitary District''s 8th Annual Recycled Art Contest

(09/27/04)

Where can you turn unwanted stuff into cash? Exercise your creativity by participating in the Castro Valley Sanitary District’s 8th Annual Recycled Art Contest. The contest is designed to encourage people to discover the value of these items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Entries must be created using salvaged materials destined for the garbage cart or recycling bin, but do not necessarily need to have an environmental theme. Salvaged materials such as old computer diskettes, bottle caps, broken jewelry, wire and glass, can be turned into costumes, handbags, robots, murals, and much more.

The entries will be divided into five separate categories: Castro Valley Sanitary District residents; Castro Valley students grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, a category for Best Class Effort per grade, and a category for Best Adult Collaborative Effort. First prize winners will be awarded $250, second place $100, third place $50, $25 for honorable mention and $100 per grade category for the Class Project and for the Adult Collaborative Project. Prize winning students whose schools are within CVSD and/or Castro Valley Unified School District will also receive equivalent cash awards for their school.

All pieces will be shown and prizes awarded at the Castro Valley Sanitary District on Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00 pm preceded by an open house at 6:30 pm. CVSD will select winning pieces for temporary display in its administrative office, and the winning artwork may be photographed for the 2005 CVSD calendar!

Official entry forms are available at District office located at 21040 Marshall Street, the Castro Valley library, the Chamber of Commerce on Castro Valley Boulevard and on line at www.cvsan.org. Completed entry forms and artwork must be delivered to CVSD between October 4 - 8 during the hours of 7:30 am - 4:30 pm. One entry per person/class. For more information contact Noelle Hartshorn
at (510)537-0987.

Kreature Komforts

(09/02/04)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District wishes to thank the community for their generosity in donating reusable linens to the District’s “Kreature Komfort” program. This program initiated out of the District’s participation in Second Chance Week which is held annually in October. The District commenced the collection of clean towels, sheets and blankets for reuse at local animal shelters starting in October 2001. To date more than 6,000 items have been taken to the local animal shelters. The shelters include Fairmont, Hayward, East County Animal Shelters, Central Contra Costa Animal Services, Dublin SPCA and Redwood Animal Hospital.

Due to the amount of staff time to collect, sort and distribute items to the animal shelters, the District is now requesting that residents drop off items directly at PetCo located in the 580 Marketplace. (3735 East Castro Valley Blvd.) Hours of collection: Monday - Friday, 9am - 9pm; Saturday, 9am - 8pm; Sunday, 10am - 8pm. The linens will continue to be donated to local animal shelters. For more information call PetCo: (510) 886-4466.
The Castro Valley Sanitary District wishes to thank all the residents for their kindness in donating items to the District’s program and encourages everyone to continue donating Kreature Komforts to this worthy cause.

Labor Day Holiday

(08/30/04)

Waste Management of Alameda County observes Labor Day, September 6th as a holiday. Garbage, recycling and greenwaste collection services will take place one day late for the remainder of the week. (i.e. Monday’s collection will take place on Tuesday, Tuesday’s collection on Wednesday, etc.). Therefore collection will take place Tuesday through Saturday the week of September 6th.

Sanitary District Looking For Community Advisory Committee

(08/24/04)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) will be establishing a Community Advisory Committee. If you are interested in your community and would like to be involved then this committee may be right for you. CVSD recently had great success with a Commercial Users Advisory Committee in reviewing commercial sewer service rates. This Community Advisory Committee will review both wastewater and solid waste initiatives facing the District.

The committee will be made up of members of the community which are appointed by each member of the CVSD Board of Directors. Members will sit on the committee for a term of two years which may be renewable.

The Community Advisory Committee will provide ongoing representation of community interests. The Community Advisory Committee is an effective means to connect the District with the public it serves.

To apply please contact the Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, (510) 537-0757; or visit our website at www.cvsan.org.

Sky''s the Limit for 2005 Earth Day 5K Run/Walk Benefactor

(08/13/04)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) is requesting proposals for coordination services and financial benefactor of its Earth Day 5K Run/Walk to be held April 30, 2005. Proposals are being sought from not-for-profit organizations that may use the event as a fund raising endeavor. In May 2004, Castro Valley Sports Foundation assisted the District in coordinating the run from CVSD to CV High School and received $3500 for their efforts. “The sky’s the limit,” said Naomi Yee, the District’s Earth Day Coordinator. “Depending on the efforts of the organization in 2005, their cause could receive quite a handsome contribution.”

Interested groups may pick-up proposal guidelines at CVSD offices, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546. Submission deadline is Thursday, September 30, 2004. Please contact Naomi Yee at (510) 537-0757 or naomi@cvsan.org for more information.

Office Depot Stores Offers Free Computer and TV Recycling

(08/04/04)

Do you have an old computer or cell phone you’d like to get rid of? Now through September 6th (Labor Day) you may take an unwanted item to your local Office Depot store; this offer is limited to one product solution such as a PC, monitor, mouse and keyboard, or individual product, such as a PDA, per customer, per day. Additional items accepted include flat panel displays, laser & inkjet printers, scanners, all-in-ones, digital cameras, fax machines, desktop copiers, cell phones, and TVs (27 and smaller only - no TV consoles). No laptops, rechargeable batteries, or electric appliances, please. For a complete list of qualifying products, store locations, and phone numbers, visit www.officedepot.com.

Groundbreaking Ceremony - $24.8M Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Restoration Project

(07/06/04)

The Board of Directors of the Oro Loma and Castro Valley Sanitary Districts will break ground at the site of their jointly funded $24.8 million dollar Capacity Restoration Project on July 15, 2004 between 9:00 and 9:30 am.

The project is unique in that its intent is to restore the 20 million gallon per day capacity of the original plant design. The original treatment plant capacity was reduced over time because of tightening environmental requirements on the plant''s effluent quality standards. Over the last forty years, the District''s ability to treat wastewater have essentially been cut by 25%.

Oro Loma''s General Manager, Mike Cameron, commented This project will provide plant staff with all the tools it needs to create a quality discharge now and well into the future. The project is a sound investment in the water quality of the San Francisco Bay.

The project, which was designed by HDR Engineering, includes two new bar screens, an expansion of the influent pump station, a new chemically enhanced primary treatment system, aeration basin modifications, bypass channel modifications, three new 120-foot diameter secondary clarifiers, a new secondary solids pumping system, sludge heating improvements, and an extension of the existing disinfection channel.

In addition to securing adequate capacity for modern discharge requirements, the project provides redundancy in several key process units which will allow a standby unit to process wastewater during periods of maintenance.

This is the largest single project in District''s history, quoted Oro Loma''s Board President Laython Landis.

Monterey Mechanical, headquartered in Oakland, is the construction contractor. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-September 2004 and will take approximately three years to complete.

Oro Loma Sanitary District provides wastewater collection, source control, wastewater treatment, collection of solid waste and recyclables to the San Lorenzo community, including portions of Hayward and San Leandro, as well as wastewater treatment for the Castro Valley Sanitary District, which owns 25% of the treatment plant site.

The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony, which will be held on the treatment plant site at the west end of Grant Avenue in San Lorenzo. Members of the public must sign in at the District''s main office, located at 2600 Grant Avenue in San Lorenzo, to receive an escort to the site.

Thursday July 15th, 2004

9:00-9:30 am

at the Treatment Plant Site

2600 Grant Ave.

San Lorenzo, California

Visitors must check in at the main office to receive an escort to the site.

For additional information, please contact:

Mike Cortez, PE

Oro Loma Sanitary District Engineer

(510) 481-6965

Keeping It Clean for 65 Years

(06/29/04)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District is pleased to announce the District will be celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. In recognition of this event, the District invites the community to a reception immediately following the Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm at the CVSD office, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley.

Fourth of July Holiday

(06/28/04)

The collection of garbage, recycling and greenwaste will be on regular schedule the week of Monday, July 5th.

Grants Are Here Again!

(06/16/04)

Castro Valley Sanitary District is pleased to announce the continuance of the Lateral Replacement Grant Program (LRGP), scheduled to start July 1, 2004. The District is offering financial assistance to replace your entire defective lateral at 50% of the approved cost, up to a maximum reimbursement of $2,000 per building lateral.

Residents may see advertisements in local papers or flyers from contractors promoting the program. These advertisements may be misleading or confusing to residents who are interested in participating in the LRGP. The Castro Valley Sanitary District is here to attempt to demystify the LRGP to its customers.

1. Only Castro Valley Sanitary District residents may submit an application to the District for consideration for the program. Some contractors will tell you they can submit the application but they cannot.

2. Applications must be submitted with at least three (3) bids from contractors. If the bids seem too high to District staff you may be advised to obtain additional bids. It is recommended that you do not share price information between contractors to avoid confusion and misconduct.

3. An inspection of the existing lateral is required prior to funds being obligated to a resident. You are to contact the District to schedule an inspection to observe a contractor’s video inspection of the lateral. You may request the District perform the video inspection of the lateral, however; this may take 4 to 6 weeks to schedule.

4. Finally, a resident should not enter into any type of agreement with a contractor until receiving written confirmation from the District that funds have been obligated for their project.

For further information, please contact Elliott Johnson at the Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, (510) 537-0757; or visit our website at www.cvsan.org.

Closing of the Castro Valley Sanitary District offices in remembrance of President Reagan

(06/10/04)

President Bush has ordered that all executive departments, independent establishments and other governmental agencies be closed on Friday, June 11, 2004, as a mark of respect for former President Ronald Reagan.

Therefore, the Castro Valley Sanitary District office will be closed on Friday, June 11th. Should there be a sewer emergency - please call (510) 506-5821. The collection of garbage/recycling/greenwaste will be on regular pickup schedule.

Memorial Day

(05/21/04)

The collection of garbage, recycling and greenwaste will be on regular schedule the week of Monday, May 31st.

International Compost Awareness Week

(04/20/04)

The United States Composting Council and the Castro Valley Sanitary District would like to officially invite you to join in the celebration of International Compost Awareness Week, May 2 - 8, 2004. This year’s theme “Be Resourceful - Compost!” is a great way to get the message out. All types of composting from “do it yourself” composting in your backyard to large scale community wide composting will be promoted during the week.

To start the week off the Sanitary District will be distributing free Castro Valley compost to District residents at their annual Earth Day event to be held on Saturday, May 1st from 9 am-3 pm, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley.

Pump Station No. 7

(04/16/04)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District will be placing concrete for the new overflow tank wall at the District’s Pump Station No. 7 located at the intersection of Villareal and East Castro Valley Boulevard. The overflow basin is part of the restoration project to bring the pump station up to current code regulations.

Contact CVSD to Qualify for Lateral Replacement Grant

(01/28/04)

Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors, at their January 6, 2004 meeting authorized an additional $50,000 to its popular Lateral Replacement Grant Program or LRGP. Many residents may have seen advertisements in local papers or flyers from contractors promoting the program. These advertisements may be misleading or confusing to residents who are interested in participating in the LRGP. The Castro Valley Sanitary District is here to attempt to demystify the LRGP to its customers.

1. Only Castro Valley Sanitary District residents may submit an application to the District for consideration for the program. Some contractors will tell you they can submit the application but they cannot.

2. Applications must be submitted with at least two (2) bids from contractors. If the bids seem too high to District staff you may be advised to obtain additional bids. It is recommended that you do not share price information between contractors to avoid confusion and misconduct.

3. An inspection of the lateral is required prior to funds being granted to a resident. You are to contact the District to arrange an inspection with District staff or to observe a contractor’s video inspection of the lateral.

4. Finally, a resident should not enter into any type of agreement with a contractor until receiving confirmation, by way of a letter from the District, that funds have been obligated for their project.

The Castro Valley Sanitary District is encouraging residents to contact the District office, 21040 Marshall Street, (510) 537-0757, Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 4:30 pm to get more information about the Lateral Replacement Grant Program. Elliott Johnson is available to answer questions regarding this exciting program.

Martin Luther King Holiday

(01/09/04)

The collection of garbage, recycling and greenwaste will be on regular schedule the week of Monday, January 19th.

CVSD Allocates an Additional $50,000 for Lateral Replacements

(01/07/04)

Castro Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors approved a budget amendment which, among other things, allocated an additional $50,000 for the Lateral Replacement Grant Program, commonly known as LRGP.

Due to budget concerns the District originally authorized $50,000 in July of 2003, which was exhausted by August. “Residents are eager to submit their application packets if the program is given new funds,” said Roland Williams, General Manger of the District. 

The successful and popular Grant Program assists residents in replacing their entire private sewer laterals and connection to the sewer main. 50%, up to a $2,000 maximum of the cost, is available per lateral replacement. These sewer laterals are typically leaky and can add significant amount of rain water to the system during wet weather when space in the sewer mains and the wastewater treatment plant are limited.

Applications are now available at the District office located at 21040 Marshall Street in Castro Valley. Residents are encouraged to apply. An application must be submitted and funds obligated by the District before sewer lateral replacement work begins to be eligible for the grant.

For more information contact Elliott Johnson, the District’s Engineering Technician, at (510) 537-0757.