SEWER
ORDINANCE
UPDATE
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Steve Kahn, Interim Public Works
Director/City Engineer
Gabriel Munoz - Morris, Senior Engineer
Why Update the Sewer Ordinance?
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Continuation of a series of actions starting in the 1960s • Reports indicating sewage percolation leading to groundwater impairment
• Construction of sewage treatment plant – Oceano
• Construction of sewer mains – Assessment District No. 1 • City of Grover Beach sewer ordinance adoption
• Statewide guidelines for septic systems
• Drafted to facilitate sewer connection, when available • Extension of sewer mains to areas without sewer available • Update of City sewer ordinance for all parts of the city Existing Sewer Ordinance
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Assessment District No. 1
• Constructed in 1960s and 1970s
• Area North of Farroll Road
• Connection Requirements
• Connect within 200 feet
• Connect within one year
• No uniform, City-wide requirement
Development of Grover Beach
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• South-East Grover Beach Development
• Tract development – extended City sewer
• South-West Grover Beach Development
• Industrial Area – primarily septic
City Sewer Extension Projects
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Council direction to provide sewer to industrial area • Records of discussions dating back to 1980s
• 2009 Industrial Area Sewer Project(s)
• Eliminated lift stations
• New gravity lines extending availability to more industrial properties • 2020 Highland Way Sewer Project
• Further extension of gravity sewer system
• 7,100 LF of sewer mains built | $1.8million
• More planned
Properties on Septic (Citywide)
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• 115 properties on septic
• 35 properties – no sewer
within 200 feet
• Possible Grant Project –
Extend sewer to
residential properties
near Calvin Court
• Staff looking at ways to
extend further, as funding
allows
Overview of Draft Ordinance
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Maintains most previous language
• Administrative updates include:
• Parts 7 and 8 directly reference Master Fee Schedule
• SSLOCSD Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) regulations
• Joint lateral engineering standards
• Backflow prevention standards – CA Plumbing Code
Timeline to Connect
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• New Recommendation – three years
• More flexibility for property owners
• Interest in connecting from property owners – good faith efforts needing time • Additional 2-year extension available by Council action for unique hardships • Arroyo Grande
• Connect within two years
• Oceano CSD
• Connect immediately if sewer available
• Connect within two years if sewer becomes available
• Pismo Beach
• Connect immediately or within six months of notice
Residential vs. Industrial
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Requirement to connect within 200 feet of sewer
• Exemption for single-family residential properties that cannot establish gravity-fed connection
• Exemption until alternative point of gravity-fed connection becomes available • No gravity-fed exemption for industrial properties
• Industrial properties can all connect via gravity-fed connection • Exemptions tied to CA Plumbing Code language
• State Preemption prevents wider exemptions
Maintenance Until Connection
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Draft ordinance includes requirements for property owners to maintain septic system until time of connection
• Previous language from existing ordinance confusing – driven by incentives at time of Assessment District No. 1 formation • Property owners must allow for inspections of existing systems, as needed
RWQCB OWTS Policy
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy
• Tiers 0 - 4
• Existing Systems categorized as Tier 0
• Fail or repair – reclassify as Tier 4
• Repair or replace to Tier 1 Requirements
OWTS Policy – Tier 1 Requirements
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Subdivision Allowable Density
• Grover Beach – 2 acres/SFR
• Depth to groundwater
• Grover Beach – typically 8 feet – industrial area has high groundwater • Replacement area
• Dispersal system 100% replacement area set aside for future use • Dispersal system area coverage
• Permeable coverage required – no asphalt, concrete, buildings OWTS Policy – Tier 1 Requirements
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Grover Beach Industrial Area vs. Tier 1 Requirements
Connection Costs – Impact Fees
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• One Time Sewer Impact Fees
• City Impact Fees + SSLOCSD Impact Fees
• Residential: $4,100 to $5,100 (depending on meter size) • Industrial: $5,300 to $8,900 (depending on meter size) • SSLOCSD make up majority
• Permit Fees
• Typically less than $1,000
Connection Costs
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Ongoing Utility Bill Sewer Usage Charges
• City Charges + SSLOCSD Charges
• Typically: $50 to $75 (depending on usage, zoning, property specifics) • Construction Costs
• Property owner responsibility
• Vary due to property specifics
• City typically has lateral or point of connection built to reduce costs • Most cases require only/mostly onsite work – cost savings Connection Costs – Breakdown
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Frequently Asked Questions Sheet
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• FAQ sheet created for septic-sewer conversion
• High volume of conversions warrant a guide
• Information on requirements
• Information on timelines
• Information on permits, fees, and process
• Once Ordinance is adopted – posted to website
• Draft attached to this item tonight
Grant Funded Sewer Extension(s)
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• City staff working with RWQCB to
coordinate grant application
• Income survey required
• Potential project to extend sewer mains in
residential block near Calvin Court
• Grant funding for:
• sewer main extension
• sewer laterals,
• abandonment of septic system
• impact fees*
Recommendation
GROVERBEACH.ORG
• Conduct a second reading, by title only, conduct a public hearing, and adopt an Ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 1 (Sanitary Sewer System) of Article VII (Public Works) of the Grover Beach Municipal Code
The End
GROVERBEACH.ORG
Questions?