BACKGROUND:
Septic systems are underground wastewater storage and treatment structures, typically used in rural communities without a centralized sewer system. Septic systems usually consist of a septic tank, piping, and a drain field. As wastewater enters the septic tank, solids will sink to the bottom and a layer of fats, greases, and oils will float to the top.
The liquid waste, known as effluent, will exit the tank through the outlet pipe which is designed to prevent most solids from entering by using a filter. The effluent will flow to a drain field and seep into the soil for complete decomposition of the waste. This will result in clean water seeping down into the groundwater and aquifer. Septic systems require consistent maintenance to ensure proper flow and adequate treatment of wastewater. Common failures include clogs and leaks, which could result into dangerous environmental hazards. Septic systems are maintained by the property owner.
Sewer systems carry wastewater from homes and businesses to wastewater treatment plants, where the wastewater is treated to remove pollutants before the effluent is returned to the environment. There are various levels of water treatment available ranging from non-potable reuse (irrigation water) to direct potable reuse (drinking water).
The Desert Water Agency (DWA) and the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) provide water and sewer services to Cathedral City residents. The DWA does not operate a wastewater treatment plant. Instead, its wastewater collection system is connected to CVWD’s sewer system.
In the 1990s, the State Regional Water Quality Control Board (SRWQCB) began discussing threats to drinking water quality with cities in the region. The SRWQCB worked with the DWA and the CVWD to conduct studies of cities with high septic system use in residential areas. They found contaminants including nitrates, bacteria, and viruses from septic tank seepage in the upper levels of the underground aquifer serving Cathedral City and other desert cities. The study findings were significant and identified installation of sewers and elimination of septic tanks as a vital step to stop further spread of contaminants and to permanently protect the area’s groundwater.
Before the incorporation of Cathedral City, there were only a few sewer lines in the area. Most of the sewer lines in the City were installed with the formation of Assessment Districts. Septic to Sewer projects funded by Assessments Districts, took place in the late 1980s through the early 2000s. Currently, there are five areas in Cathedral City that are on septic systems as follows (maps are attached to this Staff Report):
•CVWD Service area (approximately 400 parcels):
oShifting Sands Trail South of Ramon Rd.
oSouth City (Ocotillo Park area)
oPomegranate Lane area
•DWA Service area (approximately 100 parcels):
oPerez Road
oSarah Road
The lifespan of a septic system varies widely from 15 to 40 years, depending on type of material used for the septic tank, soil percolation rates and groundwater conditions, presence of trees and plant roots, and regularity of maintenance.
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) administers the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program which provides planning and construction grants for septic-to-sewer projects. Building on a federal investment of $46.8 billion, the State CWSRFs have provided $145 billion to communities through 2020. Planning grants are available for up to $500,000. States have provided financial assistance to over 42,800 projects to protect public health, protect valuable aquatic resources, and meet environmental standards benefiting hundreds of millions of people. Cathedral City’s Septic to Sewer Project would qualify under the wide range of water infrastructure projects funded through the CWSRF.
DISCUSSION:
The Coachella Valley Regional Water Management Group (CVRWMG), managed by Woodard and Curran (Consultant), is a collaborative effort led by the five water purveyors and one wastewater agency of the Coachella Valley to implement an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan to address the water resources planning needs of the Coachella Valley.
In October 2021, City Staff met with CVWD representatives to discuss providing sewers in areas currently on individual septic systems within the City. At that meeting, CVWD recommended we reach out to Woodard and Curran to ask about potential planning grants available for converting septic to sewer in the areas that had been discussed and that CVWD would in turn, work with the City on an Assessment District construction participation grant after a planning grant was successfully completed.
Staff reached out to Woodard and Curran requesting information as to whether Cathedral City’s Septic to Sewer planning project could be funded by a CWSRF grant.
Woodard and Curran responded that the Septic to Sewer planning grant is applicable, and a grant could be secured from the CWSRF. Woodard and Curran further detailed that they completed a number of these grants.
Woodard and Curran’s submitted to City Staff a $35,380 proposal for grant preparation which is attached to this Staff Report. Woodard and Curran will work on preparing and submitting the CWSRF planning grant application in ten weeks. Following submission of the planning grant, Woodard and Curran will assist Cathedral City until the funding agreement is executed, which could take up to six months. Contract duration will be assumed to be nine months. Once the planning grant funding agreement is executed, the City would utilize the grant funding to complete the necessary planning, prepare plans and specs, prepare environmental documentation compliant with CEQA-Plus for the Septic to Sewer projects, and to reimburse the City for the cost to prepare the application.
Woodard and Curran will only start work on each Phase upon written approval to proceed from the Director of Engineering/Public Works as authorized by the City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The funding for the $35,380 Woodard and Curran proposal for this work will come from the City’s approved FY 2021/22 and 2022/23 budget for Engineering Professional and Technical Services, account 100-156-8601. As cited in the proposal, the City can be reimbursed by the SWRCB for the $35,380 cost to prepare the application once the planning grant funding agreement is executed. Commented [KF1]: What is the cost of the contract?? Add the $35k NTE amount somewhere
here.
Commented [JC2R2]: Good catch.
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Commented [JC4R2]: Also added to the
body in the second from last paragraph
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