July 7, 2026
Public Works
DATE: July 7, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Tawfic N. Halaby, PE, Deputy Director of Public Works
Subject:
Re-Certification of the Updated Sewer System
Management Plan
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with adopting this resolution.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
March 20, 2012
October 15, 2013
July 18, 2017
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The State Water Resources Control Board requires
public entities that own or operate sanitary sewer
systems to prepare, implement, and periodically update a Sewer System Management Plan, which guides the
proper and efficient management, operation, and
maintenance of the system. Order Number 2022-0103-
DWQ requires governing bodies to re-certify updated
plans that reflect current requirements and evolving best management practices. City Council action is required to re-certify the City of Richmond’s updated plan and
maintain compliance with State requirements.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: ADOPT a resolution approving and re-certifying the updated Sewer System Management Plan for the City of
Richmond sanitary sewer collection system to maintain
compliance with State Water Resources Control Board
requirements - Public Works Department (Tawfic Halaby
510-620-5482).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 7, 2026
DISCUSSION:
Background and Purpose of the Sewer System Management Plan The City of Richmond owns and is responsible for the sanitary sewer collection system, which includes the pipes, manholes, pump stations, and related infrastructure that move wastewater through the City’s wastewater system. Proper management of this system is essential to protecting public health, preventing sewage releases, protecting local waterways, and maintaining reliable wastewater service for residents and businesses.
A Sewer System Management Plan is a State-required document that functions as the City’s management, operations, maintenance, and compliance plan for the sewer collection system. The plan is intended to ensure that the City has clear procedures and documented practices for operating and maintaining the system, preventing sanitary sewer overflows, responding to emergencies, training personnel, identifying system risks, prioritizing repairs, and planning for long-term infrastructure needs.
For members of the public, the practical purpose of the Sewer System Management Plan is straightforward: it explains how the City manages its sewer system to reduce spills, protect neighborhoods and waterways, and keep the wastewater collection system functioning safely and reliably.
Original State Requirements
On May 2, 2006, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Order Number 2006-0003-DWQ, establishing statewide waste discharge requirements for sanitary sewer systems. The Order required public entities that own or operate sanitary sewer systems to comply with statewide requirements intended to reduce and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows.
As part of the 2006 Order, public agencies were required to prepare and implement a Sewer System Management Plan. The plan was required to address proper management, operation, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system, along with risk management, system reliability, emergency response, and protection of public health and water quality.
The State Water Resources Control Board amended the original Order in 2013. In response, City staff reviewed and updated the City’s Sewer System Management Plan to remove outdated information and reflect then-current practices. The Richmond City Council adopted the updated plan in October 2013. In 2017, City staff, in coordination with Veolia, conducted another review and update of the plan, which was subsequently re-certified by the City Council.
Updated State Requirements
In December 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board issued Order Number 2022-0103-DWQ, which updated and modernized the statewide requirements for sanitary sewer systems. The updated Order reflects lessons learned from more than sixteen years of implementation and places greater emphasis on proactive system
July 7, 2026
management, aging infrastructure, climate change impacts, asset management, rehabilitation planning, and clearer regulatory oversight.
The updated Order also changed the Sewer System Management Plan update cycle from every five years to every six years. Under the updated requirements, agencies must update their plans, obtain approval and re-certification from their governing bodies, and submit the re-certified plan to the State Water Resources Control Board.
City Update and Need for Council Action
City staff and the City’s consultant updated the Sewer System Management Plan to reflect current operational procedures, staffing strategies, maintenance practices, emergency response procedures, and wastewater collection system management practices. The updated plan is intended to align the City’s practices with the current State Order and support the continued effective management of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system.
Although the plan updates were completed prior to the State’s deadline, formal City Council approval and re-certification did not occur at that time. City Council action is now needed to formally approve and re-certify the updated Sewer System Management Plan.
Adoption of the resolution does not approve a construction project, create a new program, or authorize new spending. Rather, it formally confirms that the City Council has reviewed and re-certified the updated plan required by the State. This action supports regulatory compliance and provides the required governing body approval for the City’s current sewer system management practices.
Recommendation
City staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution approving and re- certifying the updated Sewer System Management Plan. Re-certification will maintain compliance with State Water Resources Control Board requirements and support the City’s continued efforts to properly manage, operate, maintain, and plan for the long- term reliability of the sanitary sewer collection system.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Conformed Resolution 90-17
Attachment 3 – 2026 Sewer System Management Plan