HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 O.C. SANITATION 02-17-04
Agenda Item
9
AGENDA REPORT
Reviewed: rt
City Manager
Finance Director
MEETING DATE:
FEBRUARY 17, 2004
TO:
WilLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARMENT
SUBJECT:
SUPPORT OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT FATS,
OilS AND GREASE CONTROL STUDY, PHASE II
SUMMARY
In order to comply with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Santa Ana
Region's (SARWQCB) General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR), the Orange
County Sanitation District (OCSD) Board of Directors has committed to conduct a Fats,
Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Study. The WDR mandates those permitted federal
agencies, counties, municipalities, districts and/or other public bodies within the
SARWQCB to develop and implement a FOG Control Program to help reduce the
number of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in Orange County.
Phase I of the study evaluated current control technologies, practices and programs
(grease interceptors, sewer line cleaning, and kitchen best management practices).
Phase II involves field-testing of selected FOG control technologies identified in Phase I.
Additional follow up issues from the Phase I study will be addressed in Phase II.
Examples of follow up issues include efficient kitchen best management practices,
education and outreach, grease interceptor plumbing design and sizing criteria; waste
grease tracking, and private sewer lateral line cleaning notification.
The cost of the Phase II study is $300,000. The County of Orange and the OCSD have
agreed to pay a total of $60,000 towards the completion of the study. The difference
will be made up based on a fair share allocation of the twenty-four agencies contributing
to the Phase II study. The fair share calculation is based on population. The City of
Tustin's fair share contribution is $7,223. Although the City of Tustin does not own,
operate or maintain any sewers and is not subject to the SARWQCB's General WDR,
the City is a contributor of FOG to the sewer system and any program implemented will
most likely have a significant impact on the community. As a responsible and respected
member of the OCSD, it is appropriate for the City to participate in the Phase II study.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the expenditure of $7,223 from the
Public Works Department FY 03-04 Operating Budget for participation in Phase II of the
OCSD FOG Control Study.
Support of the Orange County Sanitation District's Fats, Oils and Grease Control Study,
Phase II
February 17, 2004
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds have been budgeted in the Public Works FY 03-04 Operating Budget, Account
Number 01-402-6222.
BACKGROUND
FOG in wastewater discharged from residential and commercial kitchens are causing
blockages in Orange County's sewer collection system. The grease blockages are a
major cause of SSOs, which can cause untreated sewage to be released to public
streets, storm drains, creeks and other surface waters. If the sewage makes contact
with the ocean, it will often be a contributing factor to coastal contamination, beach
closures, economic hardship and potential health risks.
Beach closures in Orange County have become a major issue of concern. One reason
for the closures is water contamination from SSOs. From January 2000 through August
2001, there were approximately 250 SSOs, of which 75% were from sewage collection
systems owned by local cities and wastewater agencies. During the same period, there
were 31 beach closures due to SSOs, of which 17 were from sewer collection systems
owned by local cities and wastewater agencies.
The Orange County Grand Jury conducted an investigation and in 2001, the Grand Jury
presented recommendations to Orange County cities and agencies to evaluate, adopt
and implement regional measures to eliminate the environmental impact of FOG
blockages and SSOs.
SARWQCB responded to the regional SSO problem in April of 2002 by issuing the
WDR. A section of the WDR requires north and central Orange County cities and
wastewater agencies to develop and implement effective FOG control programs by
December 2004.
DISCUSSION
FOG blockages have become a high priority and high profile concern for Orange County
residents, agencies, environmental groups, businesses and regulators. The
SARWQCB has found FOG blockages and SSOs to be preventable if proper proactive
source control measures and routine operation and maintenance is practiced on public
and private sewer systems. The SARWQCB is requiring Orange County agencies and
cities to develop, monitor and implement plans to reduce and control SSOs. As part of
the plan, agencies must have a FOG control program implemented by December 2004.
Upon completion of the Phase II study, agencies and cities will have a set of validated
options from which to choose. Each city and agency can select from among the
validated options to develop a FOG control program and ordinance that best meets the
needs of their individual city or agency.
Support of the Orange County Sanitation District's Fats, Oils and Grease Control Study,
Phase II
February 17, 2004
Page 3
If an individual city or agency were to develop its own FOG Phase II Study, the
estimated cost would exceed $100,000. By participating in a joint study, the costs to the
City of Tustin and to the County as a whole are greatly reduced.
Although the City of Tustin does not own, operate or maintain any sewer system, the
City is a contributor of FOG to the sewer system and any program that is ultimately
implemented could have a significant 'Impact on our citizens and businesses. As a
responsible and respected member of the OCSD, it is appropriate for the City to
participate in Phase II of the FOG study.
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Tim D. Serlet
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
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Brian A. Ragland
Water Services Manager
TDS:BAR:ccg:Final Agenda Report FOG Phase Il.doc