Authored by Yazdan Emrani, M.S., P.E., Sr. Vice President / Principal
On May 2, 2006, the State Water Resources Control Board, (State Water Board) adopted a set of regulations, known as Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ designed to ensure proper design, and safe operation and maintenance of the sanitary sewer systems throughout California. 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 were required to comply with the terms of this Order.
Sanitary sewer collection systems are designed to remove wastewater from homes and other buildings and convey it to a proper treatment facility and disposal location. The wastewater collection system is a critical element in the successful performance of the wastewater treatment process. The EPA estimates that collection systems in the U.S. have a replacement value of $1 to $2 trillion.
Poorly designed, built, managed, operated, and/or maintained systems can pose risks to public health, the environment, or both. These risks arise from sanitary sewer overflows (“SSOs”) in the collection system or by compromised performance of the wastewater treatment plant. As one of the most serious and environmentally threatening problems, sanitary sewer overflows are a frequent cause of water quality violations and are a threat to public health and the environment. Beach closings, flooded homes, closed shellfish beds and overloaded wastewater treatment plants are some symptoms of collection systems with inadequate capacity and improper management, operations, and maintenance.
In 2006, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 9 (California) developed a comprehensive infrastructure report card consisting of nine different categories including wastewater. The overall grade for wastewater was a not too complimentary C+.
To facilitate proper funding and management of sanitary sewer collection systems, the State Water Board mandated the development and implementation of a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) for each entity enrolled in the WDR program. To be effective, SSMPs must include provisions to provide:
- proper and efficient management,
- operation and maintenance of sanitary sewer systems,
- adequate capacity to convey peak wastewater flows,
- minimize frequency of SSOs and mitigate impacts of SSOs that may occur, and,
- meet all notification and reporting requirements.
Our next blog post will focus on the development and implementation of an effective SSMP. In the meantime, contact Hall & Foreman, Inc., at info@hfinc.com if you need assistance with elements of your SSMP or meeting your WDR requirements.
