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Supplemental Treatment System Program
Coming Soon!!!
Stay tuned for updates. Our team is actively working to finalize permit forms, inspection protocols, and long-term program infrastructure.
Overview
The City of Hesperia is in the process of implementing a dedicated Alternative Supplemental Treatment System (STS) Permit Program as part of our Local Agency Management Program (LAMP). This program will establish clear requirements and performance standards for enhanced septic systems on properties where conventional onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are insufficient due to environmental or site-specific constraints.
Alternative Supplemental Treatment Systems, or STS, are specialized OWTS that include additional treatment components beyond a standard septic tank. These may include aerobic treatment units, nitrogen-reducing technologies, disinfection systems, or advanced effluent dispersal systems such as drip irrigation. These technologies are designed to improve the quality of wastewater discharged into the soil and protect public health, groundwater, and sensitive environmental resources.
Why Supplemental Treatment?
In certain areas of Hesperia, especially on smaller lots or sites with challenging conditions such as shallow groundwater, poor percolation rates, or nutrient-sensitive zones, conventional septic systems may not provide adequate treatment. STS units help reduce pollutants like nitrogen and fecal bacteria, which can otherwise pose a risk to drinking water supplies, local aquifers, and surface water ecosystems.
Excess nitrogen in groundwater can be harmful—particularly to infants—by contributing to conditions like methemoglobinemia, commonly known as "blue baby syndrome." Supplemental treatment helps reduce these risks by significantly improving effluent quality before it enters the soil.
Once implemented, all qualifying properties installing or operating a Supplemental Treatment System will be required to:
Submit a design prepared by a Qualified Professional
Maintain a long-term service agreement with a qualified service provider
Participate in an annual operating permit program
Undergo regular inspection, sampling, and maintenance
Until the STS program is fully launched, residential properties will be temporarily enrolled in the City’s existing FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) Permit Program to ensure inspection and oversight.
Temporary Permitting for STS Using the FOG Program
Until the City of Hesperia’s dedicated Alternative Supplemental Treatment System (STS) Permit Program is fully implemented, applicants with approved STS designs must temporarily enroll in the City’s existing Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program for inspection and maintenance oversight.
This temporary measure ensures continuity of health and safety standards, while allowing construction and installation of STS systems to proceed without delay.
You must use the FOG Program temporarily if:
Your project involves a single-family residential septic system with a supplemental treatment system, such as:
Aerobic treatment units
Sand or textile filters
Nitrogen-reducing systems
Drip dispersal systems
There is no public sewer available within 200 feet of your property.
You are required to obtain an annual operating permit, but the STS program is not yet operational.
Complete the FOG Permit Application
Fill out the standard FOG Discharge Permit Application. Mark all food-service-related sections (e.g., kitchen equipment, dining capacity) as “N/A – Residential STS Use Only.”Attach the STS Cover Sheet
Submit the City’s STS Cover Sheet with your application. This form clarifies that your project is residential and not related to food service or commercial grease discharge.Sign the Temporary Authorization Letter
You will be required to sign a City-issued temporary authorization letter acknowledging the interim use of the FOG program and your intent to transition to the STS permit when it becomes available.Pay the Standard Permit Fee
Standard FOG fees apply and will cover administrative review, inspection scheduling, and compliance monitoring.
This is a temporary permitting solution. Once the STS program is live, your project will be transitioned to the appropriate long-term system.
This process does not classify your property as a food service establishment and does not authorize commercial activity.
Inspections will be conducted by the City’s Building & Safety Division on a quarterly basis until further notice.