REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL December 11, 2014 FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director Department of Public Utilities THROUGH: STEPHEN A. HOGG, Assistant Director Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division BY: ROSA LAU-STAGGS, Chief of Wastewater Environmental Services Department of Public Utilities - Wastewater Management Division SUBJECT ..Title Adopt the 2014 Revision of the City of Fresno Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) as required by the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff introduces and recommends adoption of the 2014 Sewer System Management Plan to prevent and/or reduce sanitary sewer overflows. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The State Water Resources Control Board adopted a statewide general Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (General WDR) to establish system-wide operation, maintenance and management plans to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Under the General WDR, the City developed a SSMP which was approved by the City's Council on April 7, 2009. The General WDR requires update of the SSMP every five years with adoption of the revisions by the Enrollee's government body. The SSMP has been revised to incorporate the latest personnel changes, maintenance schedules and programs and includes short and long term capital improvement projects revised each fiscal year. BACKGROUND On May 2, 2006, the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) issued Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ, General WDR. The purpose of the General WDR is to establish system-wide operation, maintenance and management plans to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) which is a spill 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. 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 above mentioned elements. The State requires that cities with population over 100,000 complete a final SSMP by May 2, 2009. On April 7, 2009, the City Council approved the City of Fresno'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 sewers and connections be properly designed and constructed, (3) ensures access for maintenance, inspection, or repairs for those portions of the lateral 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 requires that all cities' SSMP be updated every five years and it is by recommendation of the Board that it be approved by the City Council. City Attorney Office has reviewed and approved to form. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS The SSMP is exempt under Section 15308 (Class 8/Actions by Regulatory Agency for Protection of the Environment) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because the SSMP does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT All elements of the SSMP are programs, policies or ordinances currently in place and applicable to all Council areas. 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: 2014 Sewer System Management Plan