1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Andres Gonzalez, Public Works Director
Joe Vida, Management Analyst
MEETING DATE: July 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) Update
RECOMMENDATION
Approve and direct staff to submit the City’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) Update.
BACKGROUND
The City is regulated by the California State Water Resources Control Board’s “Statewide Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for Sanitary Sewer Systems (WDR), Water Quality Order 2022-0103-DWQ”, adopted on December 6, 2022, and effective on June 5, 2023. The WDR includes the requirement for public agencies that own or operate sanitary sewer systems to develop and implement sewer system management plans (SSMP).
The City was previously regulated by California State Water Resources Control Board’s Order 2006-0003-DWQ that also pertained to waste discharge requirements. Existing enrollees that were previously regulated by Order 2006-0003-DWQ, including the City of Lomita, have specific requirements to comply with Order 2022-0103-DWQ.
The previous WDR (Order 2006-0003-DWQ) mandated the City to develop and implement a system-specific Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). To be effective, SSMPs were required to include provisions to provide proper and efficient management, operation, and maintenance of sanitary sewer systems, while taking into consideration risk management and cost benefit analysis. Additionally, SSMPs must contain a spill response plan that establishes standard procedures for immediate response to a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) in a manner designed to minimize water quality impacts and potential nuisance conditions.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. 7f
2 The updated WDR (Order 2022-0103-DWQ) mandates that existing enrollees, previously regulated by Order 2006-0003-DWQ, prepare a SSMP Update within every six (6) years after the required due date of its last Plan Update. This SSMP Update must be approved by the local governing entity (City Council) and submitted to the online California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) Sanitary Sewer System Database. The City’s update is required to be submitted by August 2, 2025.
DISCUSSION
On March 18, 2025, City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Psomas for Engineering Services to complete the City’s 2025 SSMP Update. This update is included as Attachment 1. The 2025 SSMP Update must be approved by City Council prior to the Legally Responsible Official (Public Works Director) submitting it to the State Water Resources Control Board through CIWQS.
The City’s updated Sewer System Management Plan is designed to help prevent sanitary sewer overflows, ensure compliance with water quality regulations, and enhance system reliability through proactive maintenance and emergency response protocol.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
OPTIONS
1. Approve the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) Update and direct staff to submit.
2. Provide staff with further direction.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 City of Lomita Sewer System Management Plan Update Prepared by: Approved by:
.______________________ ______________________
Andres Gonzalez Andrew Vialpando
Public Works Director City Manager