18 - Fairview Development Center (Fairview Hospital) Costa Mesa Sanitary District …an Independent Special District Protecting our community’s health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Memorandum To: Board of Directors Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager From: Rob Hamers, District Engineer Date: April 18, 2013 Subject: Fairview Development Center (Fairview State Hospital on Harbor Blvd) Inflow Reduction Program Summary The District identified the sewer system serving the state hospital property as low lying and subject to storm water inflow, thereby becoming a candidate for manhole plugging and sealing as part of the District’s Inflow Reduction Program. However, state official s stated the sewer system has never been cleaned, which creates added risk if the plugging and sealing were to occur. The District Engineer has not plugged and sealed any manholes on the property to date and the District has options with respect to working with local and regional state officials. Staff Recommendation That the Board of Directors approves one or more of the following recommendations: 1. Receive and file this report. 2. Consider working with state officials and urging the state to clean the system and comply with the statewide Waste Discharge Requirements. Poor performance of private and state-owned wastewater collection systems inside the District will reflect negatively on the District and will be noticed by the state water board regulators. ITEM NO. 18
Board of Directors April 18, 2013 Page 2 of 4 3. Consider a cost-sharing or trade of services agreement with the state for sewer line cleaning that would benefit both parties. 4. Consider additional actions as determined by the Board upon consideration of this matter. Analysis One of the requirements of the statewide Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) is to reduce groundwater and surface water runoff from entering the sewer system. Groundwater entering the sewer system through gaps in pipeline joints is termed “infiltration” and surface water runoff ent ering the system through vent holes in manhole covers and through the space between the ring and cover is termed “inflow”. Based on an analysis by the District Engineer, the District has very little infiltration but does have inflow during wet weather events. To mitigate this occurrence, the District plugs and seals manhole covers in low lying areas or where surface water will travel over manhole covers such as in alley flow lines. The ongoing effort to reduce the occurrence of water in the system is th e District’s Inflow Reduction Program. Currently, over 800 manhole covers are plugged and sealed with plans of plugging and sealing a total of 1,008 out of the District’s 4,700 sewer manholes. Based on calculations comparing run times in the District’s p umping stations between typical dry weather flows and wet weather events, the Inflow Reduction Program has reduced inflow and is very successful. The sewer system serving the Fairview Development Center, formerly known as the Fairview State Hospital, is indeed subject to the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR), copy of which is attached hereto. Page one of the requirements states: State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2006-0003 Statewide General WDR For Wastewater Collection Agencies 5/2/06 STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD ORDER NO. 2006-0003 STATEWIDE GENERAL WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS The State Water Resources Control Board, hereinafter referred to as “State Water Board”, finds that: ITEM NO. 18
Operations Committee April 16, 2013 Page 3 of 4 1. All federal and state agencies, municipalities, counties, districts, and other public entities that own or operate sanitary sewer systems greater than one mile in length that collect and/or convey untreated or partially treated wastewater to a publicly owned treatment facility in the State of California are required to comply with the terms of this Order. Such entities are hereinafter referred to as “Enrollees”. Based on a sewer plan provided by the Center, the state has a sewer system comprised of the following sizes and approximate lengths of sewer mains: 6” VCP 5,600 LF (linear feet) 8” VCP 1,000 LF 10” VCP 3,800 LF 12” VCP 1,150 LF 15” VCP 265 LF 18” VCP 2,000 LF Total 13,840 LF = 2.6 miles The Waste Discharge Requirements are very comprehensive and require many components, including a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP), legal authority, operations and maintenance program, design and performance provisions, overflow emergency response plans, a fats, oils, and grease program, system evaluation and capacity assurance pl an, repair plan, funding, communication plan, etc. Based on discussions in the industry, there are other state properties not complying with the WDR. When a sewer line has not been cleaned for quite some time, the buildup of debris, solids, and grease becomes substantial and cleaning such a line is slow and cumbersome and is termed “heavy cleaning”. The contract cost for the initial heavy cleaning of t he state’s sewer system at the Fairview Development Center is approximately $25,000. An example of a mutually beneficial relationship with regard to sewer cleaning is the relationship the District has with the Orange County Fairgrounds, another state-owned property. In exchange for the District performing a once per year cleaning just prior to the yearly fair, the Fairgrounds provides a temporary yard for the District and its contractors when needed. The Board of Directors may find there is a possibility of a similar relationship with the Fairview Development Center property. ITEM NO. 18
Board of Directors April 18, 2013 Page 4 of 4 From a long term perspective, it is in the best interests of the public to have the system cleaned as the longer it goes un-cleaned, the higher the risk of backups and the spread of disease. It is prudent for the Center to comply with the Waste Discharge Requirements for the protection of the health and safety of the public but also as an example of following its own rules and regulations. Strategic Plan Element & Goal This item adheres to the objective and strategy of Strategic Element 3.0, Partnerships , which states: “Objective: To foster beneficial relationships to accomplish the goals of the District. Strategy: We will do this by embracing strategic ties with other organizations, working closely with regulators, developing a deliberate legislative agenda and participating in professional associations .” Legal Review Not required at this time Financial Review The cost to clean the sewer system at the Fairview Development Center is estimated at $25,000. This cost is not budgeted, but the District can appropriate the money from the Liquid Waste Fund Balance and request reimbursement from the state or the Board can consider a cost sharing or trade of services agreement. Committee Recommendation On April 16, 2013 the Operations Committee discussed this item; however, this report was pr epared before the meeting occurred. Public Notice Process Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the entire agenda packet for the April 18, 2013 Board of Directors regular meeting at District Headquarters and on District’s website. Alternative Actions 1. Take no action and remain status quo. 2. Refer the matter back to staff. ITEM NO. 18