City Council to Discuss Sewage Spills

City Council will review a proposed Consent Judgment Wednesday in response to a complaint filed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board the Clean Water Act. 

This noncompliance included 26 spills—possibly containing high levels of toxic pollutants, oil and grease—between 2007 and 2011. The majority of the spills allegedly reached either the Arroyo Seco or Los Angeles River; and two closed 2.1 miles of open coastal beaches, known as Alamitos Beach and Junipero Beach for three days each, according to reports. 

While the Water Board alleged five spills were possibly not reported, City staff says there were only two. 

Here's what the proposed Consent Judgement includes: 

• Penalty Fees: Total penalty of $900,000. Of this amount, $225,000 less the cost of sewer software (estimated at $50,000) will be paid to the Regional Board within 30 days. The remaining $675,000 will be a suspended penalty which will be forgiven upon completion of agreed upon capital repairs.
  
• Attorney Fees and Costs: $50,000 in attorney fees and costs is to be paid within 30 days. That is in addition to the fees mentioned above. 
• Capital Improvements: The City must repair all sewer infrastructure classified into Group C, Group D, Group 1 and Group 2 within 9 years. Groups D and 1 must be completed in the first four years (estimated cost of  $4.5 million), and Groups C and 2 (estimated cost of $6.9 million) in the following five years. These categories are based on the sewer video analysis reports prepared following the Citywide Sewer Video Program. 
• Quarterly Reports: The City will be required to  submit quarterly reports discussing progress.
• Asset Management Software: The City shall be required to purchase asset management software to assist in the management of the sewer system. 
• Flow Study: The City shall be required to conduct flow measurements to ensure the existing system has adequate capacity to handle discharge. 
• Sewer Videos: The City shall be required to video record 50 percent of  the City's sewer system every year.
• FOG Program: The City shall be required to continue its FOG program so that all food service establishments generating FOG are permitted and inspected annually. 
• Hot Spots: The City shall be required to continue its routine maintenance program of addressing known problem areas in the City every month. 
• Training: The City shall encourage its sewer staff to become California Water Environment Association ("CWEA") certified.

The suggested fees will come from the City's sewer fund while sewer rate increases will help meet all other requirements of the Consent Judgment and sewer capital improvement program, suggests City staff. 

If approved by Council, the Attorney General is expected to file a complaint in court for the violation and then file the Consent Judgment as a settlement to the matter.  

Check back with Patch for details from tonight's City Council meeting. 

Past Coverage: 

UPDATE: City Responds to Sewage Spills