Madera County Grand Jury
• 2011-2012
2011-2012 Madera County Grand Jury Final Report on Oakhurst Waste Water Treatment Plant
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
The Grand Jury found that the facilities were clean and well maintained.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Grand Jury found that the plant cannot fully meet the demand for sewage disposal service at peak usage times.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Grand Jury found that the required reclaimed water quality tests are conducted by a state certified laboratory in Fresno.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Grand Jury found that the plant's complete treatment process is recorded, monitored, and logged on a daily basis.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Grand Jury found that the County received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for purchase of new heavy equipment, of which a backhoe and utility vehicle have been purchased. a. The staff requires training on the operation and maintenance of the new equipment. b. The equipment manufacturer(s) can provide the needed training.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Grand Jury found that the assigned light vehicles are delivered to and serviced by the Madera County Central Garage.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The Grand Jury found that plant operators are required to have current state certifications. a. Operator certifications are posted in the plant office. b. The plant supervisor monitors the certification of the operators. c. Not all of the posted certificates were current on December 15, 2011.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The Grand Jury found that sodium hypochlorite is delivered to the plant by a vendor who is responsible for the storage tank and the required spill containment system.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The Grand Jury found that the plant is not utilizing the County's formal Safety and First Aid Program.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Grand Jury found that the sludge removed through the treatment process is stored on the ground and covered with a large tarp. a. The sludge is subjected to moisture seeping under the tarp. b. Storage of the sludge on the ground subjects the ground water to possible contamination. Conclusions:
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 5
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CL1The Grand Jury concluded that there may be advantages to having the light vehicles maintained in the Oakhurst area.
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CL2The Grand Jury concluded that the current certification compliance monitoring process is inadequate. Failure of employees to maintain updated training and current certification could result in public health risks and increased County liability exposure.
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CL3The Grand Jury concluded that failure to utilize the County's Safety and First Aid Program increases County liability exposure.
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CL4The Grand Jury concluded that the current method of sludge storage is potentially hazardous.
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CL5The Grand Jury recommends that a structure with a roof, cement floor, and stub walls be constructed for sludge storage to prevent ground water contamination. Respondent: written response required pursuant to PC 933(c) Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 W. Fourth St. Madera, CA 93637 Informational: response optional Madera County Resource Management Agency Director 2037 W. Cleveland Ave. Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Resource Management Agency County Engineer 2037 W. Cleveland Ave. Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Resource Management Agency Special Districts Division Manager 2037 W. Cleveland Ave. Madera, CA 93637