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April 20, 2021 File ID: 21-0076
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE RE-CERTIFICATION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council adopt the resolution.
SUMMARY
On April 28, 2009, the City of Chula Vista City Council approved the City’s first Sewer System Management
Plan (SSMP) as required by the State Water Resource Board and the San Diego Regional Water Quality
Control. Audited reviews have been completed as required every two years and typically submitted as
Council Informational Items. The 2021 SSMP proposes significant updates to comply with current
regulations and best practices for management and maintenance of sewer facilities. Based on the State Water
Resources Control Board Order No. 2006-003, significant updates require approval by the City Council.
The updates to the document include staff updates, description of funding and prioritization for asset
rehabilitation, updates to pump stations, change from specific operations and maintenance descriptions to
generalized descriptions, updates to the sewer overflow emergency response plan including the addition of
the City’s Water Quality Monitoring Program, staff updates, and minor word changes for document flow.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under
Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the activity proposes to comply with regional and
state requirements that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment; therefore,
pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no
environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The State Water Resources Control Board, in an effort to decrease the number of sanitary sewer overflows
(SSOs) that occur throughout the state, issued Order Number 2006-0003-DWQ on May 2, 2006, outlining
requirements that must be followed by any public entity that owns or operates sanitary sewer systems
greater than one mile in length. While there are many factors that affect the likelihood of an SSO (geology,
design, construction methods and materials, age of the system, operation, maintenance etc.), a proactive
approach to system operation and maintenance can often reduce the number and frequency of SSOs. To
ensure agencies manage their sanitary sewer systems in a manner that reduces the number of SSOs, the state
requires agencies to implement a system-specific Sewer System Management Program (SSMP). To make
each SSMP as effective as possible, the state required each agency address specific issues involving the
design, monitoring, management, operation, and maintenance of sanitary sewer systems. In addition, each
SSMP includes procedures for the immediate response to an SSO in a manner designed to minimize potential
water quality, environmental, public health and safety issues.
On February 14, 2007, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board issued Order Number R9-2007-
0005. This order recognized State Order 2006-0003-DWQ stating all conditions of the state order apply to
local wastewater service providers, but also recognized additional, more stringent requirements at the local
level. On February 20, 2008, the State Water Board adopted a revised Monitoring and Reporting Program,
Order No. WQ 2008-0002-EXEC to include an additional category of SSO.
In response to State Water Resources Control Board Order 2006-0003-DWQ, the City of Chula Vista
developed a Sanitary Sewer Management Program document which was approved by City Council on April
28, 2009 and met all requirements of the State and Regional Water Board. On September 9, 2013, the State
Water Resources Control Board’s amendment to the monitoring and reporting program requirements
became effective.
As a living document, the City’s SSMP was continually revised addressing new regulations and amendments
as appropriate. Additionally, the City performed audits of the SSMP program every two years, which are
typically submitted as Council Informational Items.
A rigorous review and update was completed for the 2021 SSMP and includes significant changes to comply
with current regulations and best practices for management and maintenance of sewer facilities . Based on
the State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2006-003, significant updates require approval by the
City Council. The updates to the document include staff updates, description of funding and prioritization
for asset rehabilitation, updates to pump stations, change from specific operations and maintenance
descriptions to generalized descriptions, updates to the sewer overflow emergency response plan including
the addition of the City’s Water Quality Monitoring Program, staff updates, and minor word changes for
document flow.
Per State Water Resource Control Board Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ, the SSMP, as a report required by the
order, shall be signed and certified by a person designated as a principal executive officer. The SSMP is signed
and certified by Matt Little, the Director of the Public Works, who is a princi pal executive officer and the
City’s Legally Responsible Officer for the SSMP.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and
consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-
related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct impact to the General Fund. The SSMP only describes policies and procedures already in
place or discusses policies and procedures that may be implemented in the future. Any policy or procedural
change in the SSMP that impacts any City funding source would be brought before the Council for approval
prior to implementation.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
2021 Chula Vista Sanitary Sewer Management Plan
Staff Contact: Beth Gentry, Senior Civil Engineer, Engineering /Capital Project Department