April 29, 2025
Agenda Item No. 19
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Mark Vukojevic, Utilities Director - 949-644-3011, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Casey Parks, Utilities Superintendent - 949-718-3477, [email protected] TITLE:
Approve the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan
ABSTRACT:
The Utilities Department manages the City of Newport Beach’s wastewater utility system, which includes a comprehensive network of pipelines, pump stations, laterals and manholes. Per the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board, every wastewater agency is required to approve and update a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) every six years. The SSMP plan outlines the City’s procedures, protocols and best management practices for its sewer system, with a specific focus on minimizing sewer overflows. Staff recommends City Council approval of the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve the City’s 2025 Sewer System Management Plan as required by the State Water Resources Control Board Order 2022-103-DWQ.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s wastewater collection system, also known as the sewer system, is managed through a combination of certified Utilities Department staff, contractor services, and a Capital Improvement Projects Program. The system is made up of approximately 200 miles of pipeline, five miles of force mains, 5,000 manholes and cleanouts, and 25,500 sewer laterals (the pipe from the property to the City sewer main). All of the City’s wastewater is conveyed to the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) and treated at OCSD’s Plant No. 2, which is located at the northwest corner of the Pacific Coast Highway and the Santa Ana River. Costa Mesa Sanitary District serves a small portion of Newport Beach along the Costa Mesa border and Irvine Ranch Water District serves Newport Coast. Maintaining the wastewater system at a high level is the Utilities Department’s primary mission.
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted Order Number 2022-0103-DWQ, requiring all wastewater system operators, including the City of Newport Beach, to comply with a number of requirements, including producing a SSMP. Each local agency board is required to approve its SSMP by August 2, 2025, and then update the plan every six years. The Newport Beach City Council adopted the City's previous SSMP on November 19, 2019.
The SSMP is a detailed plan of the City’s procedures, protocols and best management practices for its sewer system, with a focus on minimizing sewer overflows. Sewer overflows, also known as sewer spills, refer to any overflow, spill, release or discharge of untreated (raw) wastewater from a sewer system. Wastewater contains pollutants that can affect public health, harm aquatic life, and limit the recreational use of beaches and harbors. Protecting the city’s beaches and harbor from wastewater contamination is of the utmost importance to the Utilities Department.
The 2025 SSMP has been updated and includes the following chapters: Goals; Organization; Legal Authority; Operations & Maintenance; Design and Performance Provisions; Spill Emergency Response Plan; Sewer Pipe Blockage Program; System Evaluation, Capacity Assurance and Capital Improvement Plan; Monitoring, Measurement, and Program Modifications; SSMP Program Audits; and Communications.
The final version of the SSMP incorporates current changes recommended by the State, along with industry best practices, and staff recommendations. The City is currently abiding by all of the plan's requirements and is in full compliance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of the Sewer System Management Plan itself does not require any specific funding. However, the SSMP reinforces the City’s need to maintain, operate and invest in its wastewater collection system to prevent sewer overflows. The annual operational investments are approximately $5.3 million and an additional $2 million is budgeted for capital improvements in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – 2025 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) 19-3
19-1
Approve the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan
April 29, 2025
CITY OF CITY OF
CITY OF
CITY OF
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT NEWPORT BEACH NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
City Council Staff Report COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
NEWPORT BEACH
NEWPORT BEACH