SEWER SYSTEM
MANAGEMENT PLAN
City of Hesperia
Collection System
December 6, 2022
Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Goals ............................................................................................................................. 4 (II) Organization.................................................................................................................. 4 (III) Legal Authority .............................................................................................................. 6 (IV) Operations and Maintenance Program ........................................................................ 8 (V) Design and Performance Provisions ........................................................................... 11 (VI) Overflow Emergency Response Plan .......................................................................... 12 (VII) Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program ......................................................................... 15 (VIII) System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Program................................................. 16 (IX) Monitoring, Measurement and Plan Modification ..................................................... 17 (X) SSMP Program Audits ................................................................................................. 19 (XI) Communications Program .......................................................................................... 19
SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN
Introduction
The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) promulgated a waste discharge requirement (WDR) permit on May 2, 2006 to regulate sanitary sewer systems. This permit is known as SWRCB Order No. 2006-0003, Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems. On July 30, 2013, Attachment A to the Order was promulgated and became effective on September 9, 2013, and is known as Attachment A, SWRCB Order No. WQO 2013-0058-EXEC, amending the Monitoring and Reporting Program for Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems (together these documents constitute the “SSS WDR”).
This permit, among other things, requires local public sewer collection system agencies, referred to as “Enrollees,” to develop a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). SSMPs must be self-audited at least every two (2) years and updated every five (5) years from the original adoption date by the Enrollee’s governing board. The original SSMP must have been approved by the governing board of the Enrollee at a public meeting and adopted.
Pursuant to the requirements of WDR, the City of Hesperia (City) prepared and implemented a SSMP, which was first adopted on March 21, 2007. The City Council also approved the five-year updates to the SSMP in 2012 and 2017. This is the next five-year update to the SSMP that is being prepared in 2022. By preparing and implementing the procedures in the plan, the occurrence of sewer spills is expected to decrease. Due to years of taking a proactive approach to sewer system management, many of the program requirements had already been implemented.
There are eleven (11) required SSMP Elements that must be included, which are:
Goals
Organization
Legal Authority
Operations and Maintenance Program
Design and Performance Provisions
Overflow Emergency Response Plan
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program
System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan
Monitoring, Measurement and Program Modifications
SSMP Program Audits
Communication Program
Each SSMP Element has several sub-sections that have been evaluated and are in compliant with WDR. Along with the recommendation for the City Council to adopt the SSMP, it is also recommended that the City Council direct City staff to continually update the SSMP as needed and submit any updates at appropriate intervals for approval.
Goals
The collection system agency must develop goals to properly manage, operate, and maintain all parts of its wastewater collections system in order to reduce and prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), as well as to mitigate any SSOs that occur.
The City of Hesperia recognizes the importance of protecting the water quality by preventing sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The City is supplementing its existing Sewer System Management Program with the requirements of Order No. 2006-0003-DWQ. These regulations are intended:
To properly manage, operate, and maintain all portions of the City’s wastewater collection system.
To provide adequate capacity to convey the peak wastewater flows. To minimize the frequency of SSOs.
To mitigate the impacts that are associated with any SSO that may occur. To meet with all applicable regulatory notification and reporting requirements. (II) Organization
(A) The position of the responsible or authorized representative.
1. Director of Public Works
2. Public Works Supervisor
3. Maintenance Crew Supervisor – Wastewater
The positions and telephone numbers for management, administration, and maintenance positions responsible for implementing specific measures in the SSMP program. Identify lines of authority through an organization chart or similar document with a narrative explanation.
Below is the Exhibit showing the lines of authority of all the administrative and field staff and their respective responsibilities during an SSO. The chart lists names associated with phone numbers of filled positions.
Emergency Response Program
Organizational Chart & Responsibilities
City Council
760.947.1030
City Manager
760.947.1025
Director of Public Works
760.947.7742
City Clerk
760.947.1007
Assistant to the City Manager
760.947.1021
City Engineer
760.947.1451
TKE Engineering
951.680.0440
Public Works Supervisor
760.947.1424
Permit Processing
760.947.1311
Maintenance Crew Supervisor – Wastewater
760.947.1483
City Manager – Authorizes outside contractors to perform services. Serves as a liaison to management staff and City Council.
Director of Public Works – Documents activities through pictures and reports. Responsible for generating monthly no-spill certificate and handles all required reporting to the appropriate agency for the spill.
City Clerk – Faxes situation updates to the City Council and arranges for emergency Board of Director meeting if necessary.
Assistant to the City Manager – Releases and reports information to the local media (television / radio / newspaper).
City Engineer – Stays in office with engineering plans of all facilities, plans strategies.
Public Works Supervisor – Works directly with field operations, serves as liaison from field operations to management, procures materials, secures outside contractors as needed.
Maintenance Crew Supervisor – Wastewater – Supervises the staff responsible for maintaining the sewer collection system. Provides verbal reports to the City Engineer, evaluates situation & plans strategy with the City Engineer.
Field Crews – Implements emergency response, then mobilizes sewer cleaning trucks, by-pass equipment and service trucks The chain of communication for reporting SSOs, from receipt of a complaint or other information, including the person responsible for reporting SSOs to the State and Regional Water Quality Control Board and other agencies if applicable (such as County Health Officer, County Environmental Health Agency, and/or State Office of Emergency Services (OES).
The City’s Director of Public Works is responsible for overseeing the reporting process. The Director of Public Works receives the spill report from the field crew and drafts the required report. The draft is then reviewed with the City Manager and City Engineer with consideration given to volume calculations, vacuum, wash down operations, cause of spill, timeliness of response, etc. After discussions are complete, the report is finalized and transmitted to the appropriate agencies. The City’s standard procedure is to report all spills, regardless of size or reaches the waters of the State. The City of Hesperia believes in keeping the reporting agencies and the public fully informed.
Prior to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board preparing reporting requirements, the City of Hesperia had utilized its own reporting form. Regional Water Quality Control Board documents are now in use as the standard form of reporting, City staff continues to utilize internal forms to inform appropriate agencies as necessary. As the first priority during a sewer spill, City staff and field crews notify the appropriate agencies by phone of an occurrence instead of relying on the report as the means of notification. (III) Legal Authority
The collection system agency must demonstrate, through collection system use ordinances, service agreements or other legally binding procedures that it possesses the necessary legal authority to:
Prevent illicit discharges into its wastewater collections system. (Examples may include infiltration and inflow (I/I), storm water, chemical dumping, unauthorized debris and cut roots, etc.) The City has the power to install sewers and enact regulations related thereto, including the prohibition of private sewer systems, and requiring all inhabited property to be connected to the City’s sewers when applicable. Health and Safety Code Section 6400 et seq. Once exercised, a sanitary district’s power is controlling over any general law, city or county regulation pertaining to the same subject.
By ordinance, the City has established a long-range financial plan to ensure capital replacement (City’s Sewer Master Plan). Title 14 Section 14.08.060 of the City’s Municipal Code regulates sewer construction. All sewer construction must be in accordance with City Standards (Section 7.1 thru 7.10). The type of materials and inspection requirements by City staff are provided in Chapter 7.01 of the Sewer Master Plan.
From 1990 to present, the City has video inspected all new sewer lines. Since 2006, a thorough video inspection of all sewer mains in the system was implemented. The results of the video inspection show virtually no sources of infiltration into the lines. Although no sources of infiltration were discovered, the legal authority to control infiltration simply consists of the City Council approval of maintenance or capital projects that will eliminate infiltration causes.
Legally controlling inflow encompasses controlling the two major sources of inflow: illegal connections and submerged or flooded streets causing water to enter openings in manhole covers. Illegal connections are connections to the sewer system by property owners who experience drainage issues due to flat and/or low areas, and who attempt to drain those areas to an inlet connected to the sewer system. When instances of these illegal connections are found, the property owner is required to immediately remove the connection. The City’s sewer permit issuance procedure is supported by ordinance and any illegal connections are subject to citation.
The other source of inflow is from submerged intersections during significant storm events where manhole covers are subject to local flooding. The option of using watertight manhole covers is being utilized as needed. City staff works diligently to improve storm drain facilities and these improvements will help remove street and intersection flooding.
Require that sewers and connections be properly designed and constructed.
The City has Standard Plans and Specifications for the construction of sanitary sewers, which ensures the sewer lines and connections are properly designed and constructed. The City’s Specifications by reference incorporate the Standard Plans and Specifications for Public Works Construction (Green Book), which helps insure proper design and construction of sewer facilities.
Ensure access for maintenance, inspection, or repairs for portions of the lateral owned or maintained by the public agency.
The City has dedicated staff members who are responsible for the inspection of sewer infrastructure, which has been a part of the City’s inspection program since 1988. The Construction Inspectors are trained and well experienced in pipeline and pumping station construction. The Construction Inspectors attend training classes and educational seminars to familiarize themselves with advancements in the industry. The Construction Inspectors maintain a copy of the City’s Standard Plans for Sanitary Sewer Construction, the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction Inspection Manual, the Work Area Traffic Control Handbook, and the CALTRANS Manual for Work upon Highways, in their vehicles at all times.
Results of the Citywide video inspection program determined that Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe will remain in excellent condition if proper construction practices are followed. Providing continuous inspection ensures sewer line condition and recognizes possible problem areas. Wastewater Division staff monitor these problem areas regularly. Inspection of other utilities being installed in the vicinity of the sewer lines ensures proper protection methods are followed, thus lengthening the life expectancy of the lines. (D) Limit the discharge of fats, oils, and greases, and other debris, that may cause blockages.
The City has adopted ordinance under Title 14 Section 14.08.100 of the City’s Municipal Code that controls fats, oils, and greases (FOG). Grease has been identified as the number one cause of sewer line stoppages. Because of this finding, FOG has been identified as the most important first step for inspections and maintenance, thus improving sewer system reliability.
The City Council has taken the approach of the City’s Building & Safety Division having the responsibility and legal authority to control discharges to the City’s sewer system and facilities. The adopted FOG program allows the City to require grease interceptors on private property. Property owners are to maintain these systems through periodic cleaning and removal of collected grease. The purpose of grease interceptors is to reduce grease build up in sewer lines and prevent sewer backups or overflows. The legal authority for plumbing fixtures inside a building rest with the City’s Building & Safety Division. (E) Enforce any violation of its sewer ordinances.
The City utilizes a Code Compliance Division to enforce the ordinance when necessary. (IV) Operations and Maintenance Program
The SSMP must include those elements listed below that are appropriate and applicable to the Collection system agencies system:
Maintain an up-to-date map of the sanitary sewer system, showing all gravity line segments and manholes, pumping facilities, pressure pipes and valves, and applicable stormwater conveyance facilities.
The City implemented a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program on July 1, 2006. Mobile technology is used by the Sewer Division having laptop computers for all workers in the field. This technology is used to update the map of the collection system and all assets associated with the sewer system. This includes the location of all sewer mains, manholes, laterals, pumping stations, and pressurized sewer lines (force mains). In addition, construction plans and new infrastructure within the sewer system are updated to GIS.
The locations of stormwater conveyance facilities are shown on separate plans prepared by the City. Copies of these plans in reduced size format have been distributed to the City Engineer, Construction Inspector, Field Crews, and in the Administrative Office. The City recognizes the link between a sewer spill and its travel in a storm drain facility to the receiving waters. The City has educated staff in understanding the storm drain network and utilizing it to capture a spill if it has entered the storm drain system.
The City understands the regulations for storm drain system owners which contain requirements prohibiting sewer system spills into storm drains. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires the storm drain system owners to adopt measures which decrease the possibility of sewer spills. An example is the use of interceptors for restaurants in order to decrease the amount of grease in the lines. The City attends local meetings with the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA), a joint powers authority which the City is a member, and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board in order to coordinate the efforts of the storm drain and sewer system owners. (B) Describe routine preventative operations and maintenance activities by staff and contractors, including a system for scheduling regular maintenance and cleaning of the sanitary sewer system with more frequent cleaning and maintenance targeted at known problem areas. The Preventative Maintenance (PM) program should have a system to document scheduled and conducted activities, such as work orders; The City has historically cleaned the sewer system once a year as part of a proactive maintenance schedule and currently maintains a three (3) year schedule due to growth. The industry standard for agencies with comprehensive sewer maintenance programs is once per five (5) to ten (10) years. Areas requiring more frequent cleaning are cleaned on a preventative schedule. On July 1, 2006 the Sewer Collections Division started a video inspection program using Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) taping of all sewer lines within City of Hesperia, and planned to have the entire sewer system taped by June 30, 2010. This goal was completed one year early, in July of 2009. The past video inspection program cycle (CCTV) of all the sewer lines in Hesperia began in 2018 and was completed in June of 2021. The current video inspection program cycle (CCTV) of all the sewer lines in Hesperia began in 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by June of 2024.
The Sewer Division uses mobile technology for all scheduled maintenance (proactive and preventative), and non-scheduled maintenance (reactive) in which the Sewer Division utilizes laptop computers and an asset management database located at City Hall that stores all information for the sewer system. The data is on the City’s computer network for all City departments to review if necessary. The City utilizes computer generated work orders and service requests instead of verbal or hand written requests. The field crew responds with an electronic device which contains the information and history of the assets in question. The success of the program is discussed at the weekly and monthly staff meetings, and City staff discusses ideas to improve the program.
In addition to the daily cleaning of the gravity sewer lines by the sewer collection team, the City has a pump station maintenance program. City staff is knowledgeable in the recommended pump maintenance schedule from the pump manufacturer and for the rest of the piping, valves, and other equipment in the station and valve vault. The City uses the recommended maintenance schedule provided by the Schuler Engineering Corporation. Bruce Schuler was requested to provide an outline for the program because of his extensive experience in construction and rehabilitation of pumping stations. (C) Develop a rehabilitation and replacement plan to identify and prioritize system deficiencies and implement short-term and long-term rehabilitation actions to address each deficiency. The program should include regular visual and TV inspection of manholes and sewer pipes, and a system for ranking the condition of sewer pipes and scheduling rehabilitation. Rehabilitation and replacement should focus on sewer pipes that are at risk of collapse or prone to more frequent blockages due to pipe defects. Finally, the rehabilitation and replacement plan should include capital improvement plan that addresses proper management and protection of infrastructure assets. The plan shall include a time schedule for implementing the short- and long-term plans plus a schedule for developing the funds needed for the capital improvement plan.
As written in the City of Hesperia’s Sewer Master Plan Update, there are no structural deficiencies in the sewer system. The City’s 2003-2008 video of the sewer system disclosed the few gravity line segments that necessitated point repairs in which these repairs will be part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The City has CCTV capability to record and identify needed repairs in the system. From a long-term standpoint, the City was able to video record the entire gravity system between the years of 2007-2010, and the results of that recording were disclosed along with any additional point repairs that need to be completed. These repairs will be scheduled for completion in future yearly CIP projects.
The sewer pumping station and pressurized sewer line (force main) require a more aggressive maintenance program. The one (1) pumping station has equipment in short-cycle operations throughout every hour of each day. The station is monitored and maintained daily; therefore, any deficiencies are immediately apparent. Maintenance is ongoing and on an as-needed basis.
Because these lines flow under pressure, they have a shorter life expectancy than gravity sewers. Gravity sewers can be video inspected while they are in operation, however, force mains must be removed from service, and the system bypassed in order to allow the camera to travel the segment of line. The maintenance schedule will be based on the date of installation, type of pipe, anticipated life expectancy, operating conditions, and previous ruptures, if applicable. Prior to the replacement of failed sewer infrastructure, the City shall perform a video inspection.
Current sewer fees provide necessary funds to supplement the CIP. By law, these funds must be used for maintenance and rehabilitation projects, and not for expansion projects. In addition to these funds, various items within the budget are dedicated to sewer system maintenance and operation. (D) Provide training on a regular basis for staff in sanitary sewer system operations maintenance and require contractors to be appropriately trained.
The Sewer division attends annual formalized collection system training. Members of the division are required to obtain at least a Collections 1 certification through the California Water Environment Agency (CWEA). The division’s Maintenance Crew Supervisor and Senior Maintenance Worker both possess a Collections 4 certification. The collection system team members have between one (1) to ten (10) years of service with the City of Hesperia.
In order to properly respond to a sewer system emergency that requires construction of City sewer facilities, the City will establish a list of qualified local contractors who will respond in a timely manner during an emergency. In addition, the City has a mutual service agreement with its contracted service providers (Fire/Police) to respond to emergencies. The list will contain contractors who have demonstrated expertise in pumping station construction, pipeline construction, televising, and pipeline rehabilitation utilizing trench-less technology. These contractors are staffed with experienced workers who are able to handle the scope of emergencies experienced in the City of Hesperia. (E) Provide equipment and replacement part inventories, including identification of critical replacement parts.
Keeping critical replacement parts available requires the City to stock spare pumps that can be used as replacements while pumps are serviced or replaced. The City attempts to use the same model of pumps in as many stations as possible to simplify maintenance and replacement.
The City has the necessary equipment to work on the sewer lines and pumping stations. In addition to small tools, the City has two (2) sewer cleaning trucks, one (1) video inspection truck, one (1) confined space entry truck, one (1) service truck with traffic control devices, one (1) service truck with traffic control devices with a hoist capable of lifting the pumps, one (1) backhoe, one (1) six (6”) inch trailer mounted pump, and one (1) sport utility vehicle. (V) Design and Performance Provisions
(A) Design and construction standards and specifications for the installation of new sanitary sewer systems, pump stations and other appurtenances; and for rehabilitation and repair of existing sanitary sewer systems.
The City’s standards for the proper installation and inspection of sewer lines are discussed in Section III, Part B. The City has standardized its use of material in the pumping stations for ease of maintenance and replacement. This includes pumps, liquid level indicators, electrical components, valves, piping, and telemetry devices.
The City intends on utilizing trenchless technology for future rehabilitation efforts when applicable. Trenchless technology will minimize the impact to its customers and potentially reduce construction costs. (B) Procedures and standards for inspecting and testing the installation of new sewers, pumps, and other appurtenances, and for rehabilitation and repair projects.
Per Title 14 Section 14.08.060 of the City’s municipal code, any person proposing to construct and/or install sewers within the district’s wastewater system shall obtain an encroachment permit from the City. Procurement of an encroachment permit will notify the appropriate staff members who are responsible for the scheduling and inspection of sewer infrastructure. In the event any construction is found to not meet the design standards of the City, the contractor shall take such steps as may be necessary to remediate deficiencies. (VI) Overflow Emergency Response Plan
The collection system agency shall develop and implement an overflow emergency response plan that identifies measures to protect public health and the environment. At a minimum, this plan should include the following:
(A) Proper notification procedures so that the primary responders and regulatory agencies are informed of all SSOs in a timely manner.
The City’s twenty-four (24) hour communications center is available by direct line at (760) 947-1400. The communications center has immediate cell phone access to the field crews during normal working hours, and access to Standby Teams after-hours.
A program to ensure appropriate response to all overflows.
City policy is to respond to all spills reported or made aware to staff members, including spills located on private property. Staff members are trained to take all necessary steps possible to prevent the spills from reaching storm drains, flood control channels, and/or waters of the State, in accordance with the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR). Section II (Organization) details the lines of authority and responsibilities of City personnel during an emergency. The City maintains equipment and employs staff who are strictly responsible for sewer system maintenance, operation, and emergency response.
The City shall continue to maintain one (1) sewer field team, consisting of one (1) Maintenance Crew Supervisor, one (1) Senior Maintenance Worker, and five (5) Maintenance Workers. The team is responsible for cleaning the sewer system and being first responders in the event of a spill. During normal working hours, response time to a reported sewer overflow is less than fifteen (15) minutes. During non-normal working hours, a member of the City shall respond to any reported sewer overflow within sixty (60) minutes.
The fleet and equipment required to maintain the sewer system consists of:
Two (2) sewer cleaning trucks (hydro flusher) with vacuum capabilities One (1) video inspection truck
One (1) confined space entry truck
Two (2) service trucks, one (1) with lifting capabilities One (1) backhoe
One (1) diesel driven trailer mounted pump
One (1) mid-size truck
(C) Procedures to ensure prompt notification to appropriate regulatory agencies and other potentially affected entities (e.g. health agencies Regional Water Quality Control Board, water suppliers, etc.) of all SSOs that potentially affect public health or reach the waters of the State in accordance with the MRP. ALL SSOs shall be reported in accordance with this MRP, the California Water Code, other State Law, and other applicable Regional Water Board WDR or NPDES permit requirement. The SSMP should identify the individuals who will receive immediate notification.
The City’s policy is to report all SSOs to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board even if the SSO is completely contained and captured. The City will also notify the State Office of Emergency Services (OES), when necessary. The City believes in full disclosure of its operations and performance. The City hereby adopts the spill reporting form referenced in the reporting requirements of the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR). The form includes a list of the public health agencies and officials who will receive immediate notification of a spill. (D) Procedures to ensure that appropriate staff and contractor personnel are aware of and follow the Emergency Response Plan and are appropriately trained.
The role of each person during an emergency has been established and is defined. The City has established responsibilities for Staff members which work concurrently with the field team to provide an efficient response. Each City staff member and field team member is required to read and sign acknowledging the receipt and understanding of the Sewer System Management Plan and spill reporting form. Field team members are required to keep copies of the Sewer System Management Plan and spill reporting form in each vehicle assigned to the Sewer Division.
If the emergency is during normal working hours, both field teams and the supervisor are working as appropriate to handle the emergency. At the same time, City staff is positioned as follows:
City Manager – Authorizes outside contractors to perform services. Serves as liaison to management staff and City Council. Director of Public Works – Documents activities through pictures, reports, and handles all required reporting to the appropriate authorities for the spill. City Clerk – Emails situation updates to Board of Directors and arranges for emergency Board meeting if necessary. Community Relations and Media Coordinator – Releases and reports information to the local media (Television / Radio / Newspaper). City Engineer – Stays in office with engineering plans of all facilities, plans strategy. Public Works Supervisor – Work directly with field operations. Serves as liaison from field operations to management. Secures outside contractors as needed. Permit Processing – Works as needed; provides support to all parts of operation. Inspector / Sewer Supervisor – Works with Field Crews to handle emergencies. Provides verbal reports to City Engineer, evaluates situation and plans strategy with City Engineer. Field Crews – Implements emergency response, then mobilizes sewer cleaning trucks, by-pass equipment, and service trucks. (E) Procedures to address emergency operations, such as traffic and crowd control and other necessary emergency response activities.
The City’s field teams respond to all emergencies, and if needed, the City utilizes its list of pre-approved qualified contractors. The list of contractors is kept in each field crew vehicle, as well as in each administrative staff office, and in the Sewer Master Plan. The City has a mutual aid agreement with its contracted emergency service providers (Fire/Police) to insure that there will be no delays in responding to emergencies. Both the City and the emergency contractors have traffic control equipment which can also be used for crowd control. (F) A program to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to contain untreated wastewater and prevent discharge of untreated wastewater to the waters of the United States and minimize or correct any adverse impact on the environment resulting from the SSOs, including such accelerated or additional monitoring as may be necessary to determine the nature and impact of the discharge.
The impact of spills is minimized by washing the spill down with water to the maximum extent possible. The City uses fresh water to wash down, and disinfect when appropriate.
The City’s Sewer Division will use appropriate measures to block the catch basin entrances to the storm drains and use cleaning trucks to vacuum up spills, including wash-down water. The City also uses the storm drain system as a containment device if needed. The outlet to the storm drain is blocked and the spill and wash-down water are vacuumed from the line.
The City uses a four-step approach to private lateral sewer discharges that are discharging to the public rights-of-way. First, field teams block the storm drains to ensure that discharge will not enter the system. If it already has, the City uses the storm drain as a containment device and extracts the discharge and water used to flush the system from a downstream point in the system.
Second, the City sandbags the public right-of-way to prevent further discharge from leaving the property. Third, the City notifies the property owner or management company of the spill and directs them to hire an emergency plumber to clear the system. City teams never leave the site until the problem is resolved and the spill is stopped and cleaned up. Finally, in addition to the regular reporting of spills, the City collection team requests that City Code Enforcement or Building and Safety notify the property owner of the spill and enforce corrective action. (VII) Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Program
The collection system agency shall evaluate its service area to determine whether a FOG control program is needed. If the collection system agency determines that a FOG program is not needed, the collection system agency must provide justification for why it is not needed. If FOG is found to be a problem, the collection system agency must prepare and implement a FOG source control program to reduce the amount of these substances discharged to the sanitary sewer system. The FOG source control program shall include the following as appropriate.
The City has established the legality of adopting a grease control ordinance and has the authority to adopt and implement certain grease control regulations on public and private property. Accordingly, the City of Hesperia Building and Safety division has adopted a Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Program which integrates inspection and enforcement aspects. The FOG Control Program was adopted under Title 14 Section 14.08.100 of the City’s Municipal Code on February 16, 2010. The City has implemented a TV inspection program to locate all FOG areas throughout the sanitary sewer system and identify if they are in commercial, high density residential, or low density residential areas. (A) An implementation plan and schedule for a public education outreach program that promotes proper disposal of grease and fats.
Because the City recognizes grease from restaurants as the number one cause of sewer line stoppages and spills throughout the State, the City is developing a Restaurant Owners’ Guide to Grease Control. The pamphlet will be published and distributed to every restaurant in the City. The pamphlet will contain information on the importance of fighting grease as well as a list of grease control products available from the local hardware stores. (B) A plan and schedule for the disposal of FOG generated within the sanitary sewer system service area. This may include a list of acceptable disposal facilities and/or additional facilities needed to adequately dispose of FOG generated within the sanitary sewer system service area.
The City prepared and adopted a FOG ordinance in 2008. It is the City’s intent to encourage generators to recycle whenever possible. (C) The legal authority to prohibit discharges to the system and identify measures to prevent SSOs and blockages caused by FOG.
The City of Hesperia understands that fats, oils, and grease are the main cause of SSOs. The City requires all food establishments to install and maintain (grease) traps on their property. The City has prepared and implemented a complete FOG program at this time. (D) Requirements to install grease removal devices (such as traps or interceptors) design standards for the grease removal devices, maintenance requirements, BMP requirements, record keeping and reporting requirements.
The City adopted a FOG ordinance on February 16, 2010, contained in the Hesperia Municipal Code, Title 14 Section 14.08.100. (E) Authority to inspect grease producing facilities, enforcement authority, and whether the district has sufficient staff to inspect and enforce the FOG ordinance.
The City adopted a FOG ordinance on February 16, 2010, contained in the Hesperia Municipal Code, Title 14 Section 14.08.100. (F) The grease control program shall identify sections of the sewer maintenance subject to grease blockages and establish a cleaning maintenance schedule for each section.
The City has a list of FOG spots in the City’s database and shown in the GIS system. These area FOG spots are subject to excess grease and are on a preventative maintenance schedule. These FOG spots have not caused a sanitary sewer overflow. (G) The program shall develop and implement source control measures, for all sources of grease and fats discharged to the sewer system, for each section identified in (A) above.
Source control measure for each section of line identified in (A) above will consist of:
Distribution of the City’s pamphlets for restaurant and homeowner grease control. Restaurants will be required to install grease traps or interceptors. Grease traps or interceptors will be required to be on an inspection program. (VIII) System Evaluation and Capacity Assurance Plan
The collection system agency shall prepare and implement a capital improvement plan (CIP) that will provide hydraulic capacity of key sanitary sewer system elements for dry weather peak flow conditions, as well as the appropriate design storm or wet weather events. At a minimum, the plan must include:
(A) Evaluation: Action needed to evaluate those portions of the sanitary sewer system that are experiencing or contributing to an SSO discharge caused by hydraulic deficiency. The valuation must provide estimates of peak flows (including flows from SSOs that escape from the system) associated with conditions similar to those causing overflow events, estimates of the capacity of key system components, hydraulic deficiencies (including components of the system with limited capacity) and the major sources that contribute to the peak flows associated with overflow events.
The City has completed a Sewer Master Plan Update which incorporates a hydraulic analysis of every line in the system and plans for increasing capacity for those lines found unable to handle future master planned flows. The current system capacity is able to handle, without difficulty, the current dry weather and wet weather peak sewer flows.
In addition, the Sewer Master Plan assesses the capacity of the sewer system. The main purpose of a Sewer Master Plan is to compare the projected peak flow from the land uses adopted in the General Land Use Plan with the carrying capacity of the sewer lines. Lines unable to handle the maximum flows are supplemented by additional parallel lines. The City’s Sewer Master Plan Update was completed on August 6, 2015 and will be continuously updated as needed. (B) Design Criteria: Where design criteria do not exist or are deficient, undertake the evaluation identified in (A) above to establish appropriate design criteria.
N/A
(C) Capacity-Enhancement Measures: The steps needed to establish a short-term and long-term CIP to address identified hydraulic deficiencies including prioritization, alternatives analysis, and schedules. The CIP may include increases in pipe size, I/I reduction programs, increases and redundancy in pumping capacity, and storage facilities. The CIP shall include an implementation schedule and shall identify sources of funding.
The Sewer Master Plan Update contains a list of each project identified as necessary to increase the capacity of portions of the system. Some improvements are required in the short-term, and long-term improvements will be planned according to the development and metered sewer flows. During the design of each project, alternative designs are considered. (D) Schedule: The Collection system agency shall develop a schedule of completion dates for all portions of the capital improvement program developed in (A)-(C) above. This schedule shall be reviewed and updated consistent with the SSMP review and update requirements.
The Sewer Master Plan Update contains a list of each CIP through 2032 and identifies the approximate start and completion dates.
The City will be updating its Sewer Master Plan on a five year schedule or if needed during the five years. (IX) Monitoring, Measurement, and Plan Modifications
The collection system agency shall:
(A) Maintain relevant information that can be used to establish and prioritize appropriate SSMP activities.
The Sewer Division uses mobile technology for all scheduled maintenance (proactive and preventative), and non-scheduled maintenance (reactive) in which the Sewer Division utilizes laptop computers and a database (Cityworks) located at City Hall that stores all the information for the sewer system. The data is on the City’s computer network for all City departments to review if necessary. The City uses computer generated work orders and service requests instead of verbal or hand written requests. The field crew responds with a laptop computer which has all the information and history of the assets in question. The success of the program is discussed at weekly and monthly staff meetings, and City staff discusses ideas to improve the program. (B) Monitor the implementation and, where appropriate, measure the effectiveness of each element of the SSMP.
The SSMP will be reviewed yearly to insure all the provisions are implemented, and its effectiveness discussed. The reviewers include field crews, administrative staff, and engineering staff. (C) Assess the success of the preventative maintenance program.
The City has historically cleaned the sewer system as part of a proactive maintenance schedule and continues to do so. The City’s comprehensive sewer maintenance programs have reduced sewer overflows to those that are caused by vandals. The plan has shown areas in need of more frequent cleaning, known as problem areas, and are cleaned on a preventative schedule. On July 1, 2006 the Sewer Collections Division started a video inspection program (CCTV) of all the sewer lines in the City of Hesperia and completed the program in 2009. The past video inspection program cycle (CCTV) of all the sewer lines in Hesperia began in 2018 and was completed in June of 2021. The current video inspection program (CCTV) of all the sewer lines in Hesperia began in 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2024.
(D) Update program elements, as appropriate, based on monitoring or performance evaluations.
The SSMP and its elements will be updated in accordance with the results of the monitoring and the reviewer recommendations. For instance, if the study of enzymes and bacteria progresses and the effectiveness is determined to be successful enough to be used instead of traps and interceptors for grease control, the SSMP and City policy will be revised. Performance evaluations are continuous because of the daily operation of the City including all elements of the program. City Staff will request the City Council to include a yearly appropriation to fund the updating. (E) Modify the summary of the SSMP program, as appropriate, to keep it updated and accurate and available for audit at all times.
A recommendation was made to the City Council to consider the Sewer Master Plan Update and its three elements; the Master Plan, the Sewer System Management Plan, and the Emergency Response Program as on-going concerns that will be continually reviewed and updated. The Sewer Master Plan Update was adopted on August 6, 2015.
The City’s Asset Management database, located at City Hall, stores all the information for the sewer system. The data is on the City’s computer network for all city departments to review if necessary. The information and history to the sewer assets in the City date back to 1996, when the Sewer Division started the computer database of information pertaining to the City’s sanitary sewer system. The success of the program is discussed at the weekly and monthly staff meetings, and the City staff discusses ideas to improve the program. (X) SSMP Program Audits
The collection system agency shall conduct periodic audits, appropriate to the size of the system and the number of SSO’s. At a minimum, these audits must occur every two years and a report must be prepared and kept on file. This audit shall focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the SSMP and the agency’s compliance with the SSMP requirements, including identification of any deficiencies in the SSMP and the steps to correct them.
The City performs an internal audit evaluating its SSMP and its compliance with the WDR every two years, and results of the audits along with recommendations and suggested improvements can be made available to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board upon request. The City Council has directed staff to update this SSMP document continuously and bring the changes back for approval. (XI) Communications Program
The collection system agency shall communicate on a regular basis with the public on the development, implementation, and performance of the SSMP. The communication system shall provide the public the opportunity to provide input to the collection system agency as the program is developed and implemented. The collection system agency shall also create a plan of communication with systems that are tributary and/or satellite to the collection system agency’s sanitary sewer system.
The Director of Public Works will provide interested parties with status updates on the implementation of the components of the SSMP and will also consider comments made by interested parties.
The City has communication with all tributary and satellite systems to the collection system. The City has representatives on the Board of Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) which treats the City’s wastewater. The City also invites and attends meetings from other cities and districts.
The City provides mutual aid outside the City, whether on public or private property, and takes all steps necessary to prevent spills from reaching the storm drains, flood control channels, or waters of the State. 19