REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
June 20, 2019
FROM: MICHAEL CARBAJAL, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BRIAN SPINDOR, PE(WA), Assistant Director - Wastewater
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
DEJAN PAVIC, PE, Public Utilities Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Utilities Planning & Engineering
BY: ARTURO ALVAREZ, Wastewater Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to adoption of the revised Sewer System Management Plan:
1. Adopt a finding that this approval is covered by the common sense exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and that there is no possibility that it will have a significant effect on the environment.
2. Adopt the 2019 Revision of the Sewer System Management Plan as required by the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt the 2019 Revision of the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) to prevent and/or reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), as required by the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (WDR-SSS).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a statewide general Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (General WDR-SSS) to establish system-wide operation, maintenance and management plans to reduce SSOs. Under the General WDR-SSS, the City of Fresno (City) developed a SSMP which was approved by City Council on April 7, 2009. The General WDR-SSS requires an update of the SSMP every five years with adoption of the revisions by the enrollee’s government body. An update (1st revision) of the SSMP was approved by City Council in December 2014. The 2019 update (2nd revision) to the SSMP was completed in March 2019. The SSMP has been revised and updated to incorporate the latest personnel changes, maintenance schedules and programs, and includes short and long term capital improvement projects.
BACKGROUND
On May 2, 2006, the SWRCB issued Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ, statewide General WDR-SSS. The purpose of the General WDR-SSS is to establish system-wide operation, maintenance, and management plans to reduce SSOs, which are spills of untreated or partially treated wastewater resulting in public exposure and a health hazard.
In November 2006, the City submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) or application for permit coverage under the General WDR-SSS. In July 2007, the City Council approved a proposed SSMP Development Plan and Schedule, which listed development and implementation deadlines for each of the eleven elements listed below. The State required that cities with a population over 100,000 complete a final SSMP by May 2, 2009.
On April 7, 2009, the City Council approved the City’s SSMP, which provides a mechanism to properly fund, manage, operate, and maintain all parts of the sanitary sewer system to reduce and prevent SSOs. The City’s SSMP: (1) establishes the legal authority to prevent illicit discharges into its sanitary sewer system, (2) requires that sewer mains and connections be properly designed and constructed, (3) ensures access for maintenance, inspection, or repairs for those portions of the sewer laterals owned or maintained by the City, (4) limits the discharge of fats, oils, and grease and other debris that may cause blockages, and (5) enforces any violation of its sewer ordinances.
The SSMP has eleven mandatory elements with implementation deadlines according to the size of the collection system:
1. Goal
2. Organization
3. Legal Authority
4. Operation and Maintenance Program
5. Design and Performance Provisions
6. Overflow Emergency Response Plan
7. Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program
8. System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan
9. Monitoring, Measurement and Program Modifications
10. Sewer System Management Plan Program Audits
11. Communication Program
The General WDR-SSS requires that SSMPs be updated every five years, and it is by recommendation of the SWRCB that it be adopted by the City Council. The SSMP was first revised and adopted in 2014. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form the second, 2019 Revision of the SSMP.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment for the 2019 Revision of the SSMP in accordance with the requirement of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and determined it is covered by the common sense exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and that there is no possibility that it will have a significant effect on the environment. The 2019 Revision of the SSMP consists solely of revising the current SSMP to incorporate the latest personnel changes, maintenance schedules and programs, and include short and long term capital improvement projects that will be separately approved in other plans in the future.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the adoption of the 2019 Revision of the SSMP does not include a bid or an award of a construction contract or a services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no impact to the General Fund. All elements of the SSMP are programs, policies, or ordinances currently in place and applicable to all council districts. Funding to implement the mandated SSMP is addressed in the Sewer Enterprise Operating and Capital Improvement budgets and will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachment: 2019 Revision of the Sewer System Management Plan