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Public Works

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1. Where can I get sandbags?

Residents can fill sand bags at the City’s sand pile, located at the intersection of Ashby Road and Flower Street, free of charge. Bags can be obtained at local hardware stores including ACE Hardware on Cascade Boulevard, and residents will need to fill their own bags.

2. Who do I call if I have questions about my utility bill, or if I need to have my utility service activated or disconnected?

To have utility service started or disconnected, or if you have billing questions about your utility services, please contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400.

3. What utility services does the City provide?

The City of Shasta Lake provides water, wastewater, and electric utility service.

4. Who provides garbage, greenwaste, and recycle pick-up for Shasta Lake residents?

Waste Management operates under contract with the City of Shasta Lake to provide garbage, greenwaste, and recycling container pickup and disposal. If you have questions about your garbage service, please contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400.

5. What is an Encroachment Permit and why is it needed?

An encroachment permit is a permit that allows construction activity, performed by homeowners, contractors, and utility companies, to take place within the public right-of-way. It is required for several reasons:
• Encroachment permits allow the City to control what is placed in the public right-of-way and gives the City the ability to ensure that only qualified parties, who are properly licensed and insured, work in our public rights-of-way.
• Encroachment permits allow the City to ensure that the work will be done in a manner that maintains public convenience and traffic flow through the work area.
• Encroachment permits provide the permittee with a clear understanding of requirements for working on public property.

6. Do I need to obtain an Encroachment Permit to replace my sidewalk or driveway approach?

Yes, an encroachment permit is required from the Permit Center for any work occurring within the public right-of-way. Please contact the Permit Center at (530) 275-7430 for more information.

7. I want to install a fence behind the sidewalk or in the public right-of-way. Do I need to obtain an Encroachment Permit?

Yes, an encroachment permit is required from the Permit Center for any work occurring within the public right-of-way. Please contact the Permit Center at (530) 275-7430 for more information.

8. Can I place a temporary container in the public right-of-way?

Perhaps. An Encroachment Permit for temporary container placement in the public right-of-way will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Factors included the location, available space, amount of public use, length of time, etc.

9. How long is an Encroachment Permit valid?

It depends on the type of work being performed. Please contact the Permit Center at (530) 275-7430 for more information.

10. What happens when work is performed within the public right-of-way without a permit?

All work will be stopped and the individual will be assessed penalty fees or face a potential fine.

11. I want to report a pothole that needs repair. Who do I call?

To report a pothole in a street, please contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400.

12. How many miles of streets does the City maintain?

The City maintains approximately 67 miles of paved streets. The City does not maintain unimproved (unpaved) streets.

13. Who maintains I-5 and/or Shasta Dam Boulevard (State Route 151)?

Interstate 5 and State Route 151 are both part of the State Highway System, and are generally maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). If you observe a problem on either Shasta Dam Boulevard or I-5, please call Caltrans at (530) 225-3426.

14. Does the City maintain a Pavement Management System?

Yes. The City has performed pavement condition assessment on every paved street in Shasta Lake. As of 2009, the cost to seal, overlay, or reconstruct all of the streets in need of repair within the City was estimated to be approximately $17,000,000.

15. Does the City have a street paving program?

Between 2009 and 2011, the City’s paving program paved approximately 110 street segments throughout the City, at a total cost of nearly 3 million dollars. However, on July 1, 2011, the City’s Redevelopment Agency, which funded the City’s program, was shut down by the State of California. The City is working hard to identify new funding sources for street paving, and will restart the program when a new source of funding is identified.

16. Can I request that a certain street be paved?

No. The City has adopted a Street Paving Policy to guide the selection of streets that are to be paved when funding becomes available. Factors that go into the selection process include, but are not limited to, funding source, economy of scale, type of project, and the amount of money available. The City is working hard to identify new funding sources for street paving, and will restart the program when a new source of funding is identified.

17. Who do I call about a problem with street lights?

For problems related to street lights, please contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400.

18. My water tastes or smells odd. What should I do?

Please contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400. Water treatment personnel will then contact you to test your water.

19. Where does the City’s maintenance responsibility for the water system stop?

The City is responsible for maintaining the water distribution system up to and including the water meter. All service plumbing between the meter and the residence or business is the responsibility of the property owner.

20. What is a backflow assembly?

: Backflow occurs when the water pressure in the distribution system drops below the water pressure at the end of the service. This can occur when the distribution system is shut down for any reason (for instance, when there is a water main break), and it creates a situation where materials or contaminants can enter the distribution system.

A backflow assembly (also known as a Reduced Pressure Principle Assembly, or RPPA), is a device that reacts to the pressure drop and prevents material or contaminates from entering the distribution system if a pressure drop occurs.

21. Why do backflow assembly (RPPAs) have to be tested annually?

Backflow assemblies have springs, moving parts and internal seals that are subjected to wear and fatigue. Backflow assemblies must be tested by a certified tester on an annual basis.

22. Where does the City’s maintenance responsibility for the wastewater system stop?

The City is responsible for maintaining the wastewater collection system mains. Service laterals are the responsibility of the property owner from the main to the individual residence or business.

23. My service line does not drain properly. What should I do?

Prior to calling a plumber, you may want to contact the Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400. The City will check out the wastewater collection system in your area to make sure there isn’t a problem in the main that serves your house. If the cause of the problem is in the City’s main, we will remedy the problem and hopefully save you a plumber's bill.

24. I recently had a sewage backup in my house. What caused it and how do I handle the situation?

First, you should Customer Service Department at (530) 275-7400. The City will perform an inspection of the area and assist you in determining how and why it happened. If it was caused as a result of a blockage in the City's main, we will immediately take action to clear the blockage. We will also contact the City's Risk Management carrier, and they will send out an inspector to check for damages. Additionally, you can file a claim for damages through the City Clerk’s office.

25. What can I do to keep my service line in good shape?

The primary cause of backups in service lines is the buildup over time of fats, oils, and grease. Throw those types of materials away with the trash and keep them out of your service lines. Also, keep wipes, paper towels, and other materials that do not break down out of your toilet.