January 23, 2024
Public Works
DATE: January 23, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo, PE Deputy Public Works Director / City
Engineer
Mary Phelps, Project Manager
Subject:
Follow-up Presentation by Veolia Water North America
Staff Regarding Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Odors at the
Plant that were Reported on December 4-5, 2023
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Presentation – No Financial Impact to the General Fund
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 12, 2023 Council Meeting
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Wastewater Treatment Plant emitted Hydrogen
Sulfide (H2S) odors and Veolia did not respond to abate the odors in a timely manner. This presentation is to
explain the issues that caused the odors and Veolia’s
plans to prevent this from occurring in the future.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a follow-up Power Point Presentation from
Veolia Water North America regarding the Hydrogen
Sulfide (H2S) odors that were emitted from the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant December 4 – 6, 2023 –
Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-
5478/ Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond has been actively monitoring and addressing environmental concerns related to the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), particularly focusing on the emission of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gases. As part of our ongoing AGENDA
REPORT
January 23, 2024
efforts to manage and mitigate these issues, Veolia, the company contracted for the operation and maintenance of the Richmond WWTP, will be presenting a follow-up report to the City Council, expanding upon the initial discussion that took place in December 2023.
To recall, on December 4, 2023, a significant event highlighted the need for increased attention to the H2S emission levels at the plant. The Hydrogen Sulfide monitors installed at the site detected H2S levels exceeding the threshold of 60 parts per billion (ppb). This incident triggered the metering system to send out email notifications to all registered individuals through the dedicated monitoring website (richmondwpcp- h2s.org). The system, designed for rigorous monitoring, checks H2S levels every five minutes and records the data in a comprehensive database. Notifications are sent not only when the levels exceed the 60 ppb threshold but also when they subsequently drop below it, ensuring continuous and transparent communication with the concerned parties.
In response to this incident and subsequent discussions, Veolia will be providing a detailed PowerPoint® presentation to the City Council. The presentation aims to shed light on the factors that led to the elevated emissions of H2S odors observed in December. More importantly, Veolia is expected to outline their proposed strategies and action plans to prevent future occurrences of similar events. This presentation is a crucial part of our collaborative approach to address and resolve environmental and health concerns associated with the WWTP.
The City of Richmond remains committed to ensuring the effective operation of its wastewater treatment facilities while minimizing any adverse impacts on the community and the environment. The follow-up report from Veolia is a step forward in our continued efforts to maintain transparency, accountability, and proactive management in addressing these critical issues.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Veolia Report