CC 2017-04-25_09j Letter of Support_Redundancy Project
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEOFF ENGLISH, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR
THE SOUTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S
REDUNDANCY PROJECT
DATE: APRIL 25, 2017
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for
the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District's Redundancy Project.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
No immediate financial impact. Approximately one (1) hour of staff time was necessary
to prepare this report and letter of support.
BACKGROUND:
The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD) owns and operates
a wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) that is permitted through the State of California
to treat wastewater flows from the communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and
Oceano. The WWTF treats the wastewater flows with primary and secondary treatment
to meet State discharge requirements for the current ocean discharge system. The
secondary treatment process is completed through a disinfection process to treat
wastewater through the use of a system of mechanical screens, primary clarifiers, fixed
film reactor (FFR), one secondary clarifier, and chlorination.
A “redundant” secondary treatment process is necessary at the WWTF to ensure that
any effluent discharged through the current ocean outfall continues to meet the State
mandated treatment requirements. An additional secondary treatment process is
currently in the permitting and preliminary design development stage. This proposed
project, referred to as the “Redundancy Project,” will provide additional secondary
treatment processes.
According to a postcard from the SSLOCSD, the District has evaluated the need for a
project since 2005 that would construct and operate additional or redundant secondary
treatment processes at the District WWTP. In 2010, the Board of Directors (Board) for
the SSLOCSD held a public hearing and adopted a Resolution and Mitigated Negative
Declaration allowing the Redundancy Project to move forward. In 2016, the Board
approved a rate increase to support funding for the project as well as initiated the
Item 9.j. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S REDUNDANCY PROJECT
APRIL 25, 2017
PAGE 2
process for permitting and design. In September of 2016, the Board adopted a
Resolution approving an Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the
Redundancy Project.
The SSLOCSD has applied to the California Coastal Commission for a Coastal
Development Permit that would allow the Redundancy Project to move forward and has
requested letters of support from the local communities served by the WWTF.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Below is a portion of the description for the Redundancy Project provided by the
SSLOCSD:
Redundancy Project Description:
The existing treatment plant cannot meet required effluent limits at the permitted design
flow if the FFR or the secondary clarifier is out of service because there is no back-up,
or redundant, unit for either process. Permit R3-2009-0046 anticipated the addition of
redundancy infrastructure to be installed at this WTTF, and thus the primary feature of
this overall project is to install this redundancy system so that major wastewater facility
components can be removed from service for routine maintenance or repairs, or be shut
down in case of mechanical failure or emergency, without risking violation of effluent
permit limits. The addition of redundancy infrastructure does not add capacity to handle
higher flows than currently permitted, and no additional treatment capacity is intended to
be pursued by the District based on current plans and policies adopted by the member
agencies and within the service area.
The redundancy infrastructure includes the following:
Installation of two new activated sludge (AS) aeration basins, one new secondary
clarifier, one new fixed film reactor (FFR) effluent pump station, one new waste
activated sludge (WAS) thickening centrifuge, and modifications to the existing
dewatering platform to accommodate the new centrifuge.
Installation of a new motor control center (MCC) building, which includes a new
blower and electrical equipment.
Installation of associated development, including yard piping, instrumentation,
power and control panels, electrical ducts, and control and power conduits.
A copy of a January 2017 post card mailer about the project is attached to this staff
report (Attachment 1). Below is the tentative project schedule:
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete
2018 Project Design Complete
2019/20 Project Construction Complete
Item 9.j. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SOUTH
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT’S REDUNDANCY PROJECT
APRIL 25, 2017
PAGE 3
A copy of a letter of support for the Redundancy Project to the California Coastal
Commission from the City of Arroyo Grande is included with this staff report. It is
recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support for
the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District's Redundancy Project.
ADVANTAGES:
Letters of support from stakeholder groups and interested parties may assist in the
project permitting and approval process through the California Coastal Commission.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages for this proposed action have been identified.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the letter of support as drafted;
2. Direct modifications to the language of the letter of support and authorize the
Mayor to sign;
3. Do not approve staff’s recommendation; or
4. Provide direction to staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Postcard Mailer
Item 9.j. - Page 3
Item 9.j. - Page 4
Item 9.j. - Page 5
South SLO County
Sanitation District
ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
District Wastewater Redundancy Project
Analysis
In early 2016 the Board authorized
the District to obtain consulting ser-
vices to further analyze Project
needs.
During this time the District submitted
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) documentation and it was
determined that the Project would
have no significant impact on the
environment.
Board approval of the September
Resolution declared that no further
review for the Project was required.
See schedule on the reverse side.
Board Action
Since 2005 the District has evaluated the need
for a project that would construct and operate
additional or redundant secondary treatment
processes at the District WWTP.
In 2010 the Board held a public hearing and
adopted a Resolution for such a project.
During 2015 and 2016 the Board pursued and
approved funding for the project as well as initi-
ated the process for permitting and design.
In September the Board adopted a Resolution
approving the District Long Range Secondary
Treatment Process Redundancy Project.
What is it?
The District operates a wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP) that serves the
communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover
Beach, and Oceano. Currently the plant
is permitted to treat and discharge 5
million gallons (dry weather), and 9
million gallons (peak wet weather) of
domestic wastewater per day.
Regulatory and industry standards,
increased influent loading, and lack of
redundant secondary treatment
processes require the plant to upgrade
its facilities so that existing secondary
units can be removed from service
when maintenance is required.
For more information: www.sslocsd.org | info@sslocsd.us
January 2017
South SLO County
Sanitation District
ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
District Wastewater Redundancy Project
Analysis
In early 2016 the Board authorized
the District to obtain consulting ser-
vices to further analyze Project
needs.
During this time the District submitted
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) documentation and it was
determined that the Project would
have no significant impact on the
environment.
Board approval of the September
Resolution declared that no further
review for the Project was required.
See schedule on the reverse side.
Board Action
Since 2005 the District has evaluated the need
for a project that would construct and operate
additional or redundant secondary treatment
processes at the District WWTP.
In 2010 the Board held a public hearing and
adopted a Resolution for such a project.
During 2015 and 2016 the Board pursued and
approved funding for the project as well as initi-
ated the process for permitting and design.
In September the Board adopted a Resolution
approving the District Long Range Secondary
Treatment Process Redundancy Project.
What is it?
The District operates a wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP) that serves the
communities of Arroyo Grande, Grover
Beach, and Oceano. Currently the plant
is permitted to treat and discharge 5
million gallons (dry weather), and 9
million gallons (peak wet weather) of
domestic wastewater per day.
Regulatory and industry standards,
increased influent loading, and lack of
redundant secondary treatment
processes require the plant to upgrade
its facilities so that existing secondary
units can be removed from service
when maintenance is required.
For more information: www.sslocsd.org | info@sslocsd.us
January 2017
ATTACHMENT 1
Item 9.j. - Page 6
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete
2017 Project Design Complete
2018 Project Construction Complete
More information on the other side.
South SLO County Sanitation District
1600 Aloha Place, Oceano, CA 93445
805 489-6666 | info@sslocsd.net
www.sslocsd.org
Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid 1600 Aloha Place
Oceano, CA 93445
South SLO County Sanitation District
ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
District Wastewater Redundancy Project
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
Mid-2017 Project Permitting Complete
2017 Project Design Complete
2018 Project Construction Complete
More information on the other side.
South SLO County Sanitation District
1600 Aloha Place, Oceano, CA 93445
805 489-6666 | info@sslocsd.net
www.sslocsd.org
Presorted Standard
US Postage Paid 1600 Aloha Place
Oceano, CA 93445
South SLO County Sanitation District
ENSURING TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
District Wastewater Redundancy Project
To hear or learn more on how you can
participate in future discussions and decisions
on this Project please contact us at:
To hear or learn more on how you can
participate in future discussions and decisions
on this Project please contact us at:
Item 9.j. - Page 7
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