Sewer

Sewer Services

The City of Camas Sewer Division serves all residences and businesses within the City, which equates to over 8,500 accounts (this includes residential, industrial and commercial users). The Sewer System is comprised of a Wastewater Treatment Plant that produces Class A Biosolids, 27 sewer pump stations, over 6,000 Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) systems and hundreds of miles of gravity and pressure sewer mains.

Wastewater Treatment Plant

The City of Camas operates a Class IV Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which can treat up to 6.10 Million Gallons Per Day.  The treatment plant was originally constructed in 1972, but has received several modifications since that time.  The plant receives a combination of domestic and industrial wastewater, and discharges treated effluent to the Columbia River.  WWTP staff operate and maintain the treatment plant as well as the City’s 27 sewer pump stations. 

The major treatment processes at the facility consist of headworks screens, primary clarifiers, aeration basins, secondary clarifiers, effluent filters, ultra-violet disinfection banks, anerobic digesters, and a biosolids dryer.

For more information about the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant or the city’s sanitary pump stations, please contact the facility at (360) 834-3263.

Sewer Collections and Maintenance of Tanks

The City of Camas has a very unique sewer collection system. Most public agencies in our region collect sewer with “traditional” gravity sewer lines which convey sewer to the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The older portions of Camas (e.g. Crown Park and Downtown) and the North Shore have traditional systems. Unfortunately, when major development in the 1990s occurred in the City, the decision was made to use what’s called Septic Tank Effluent Pumping (STEP) system. These STEP systems are essentially a Septic Tank, like you might find in rural settings, but include a pump. The Septic Tank and pump is owned and maintained by the City, while the line from the house to the tank is owned by the homeowner. These STEP tanks require additional maintenance and all homeowners should be aware of complexities of the system.   

View information about your STEP System. If you have a sewer alarm during normal business hours (7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.), please call 360-817-1563. After hours and weekends call 360-737-0592.

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