Animal Control Report 2006-2007 Response

Recommendations 4

• R1

  Page 57
  The Department normally responds to all voice mails and there is some question as to whether the Department was actually notified of this particular incident.
• R2

  Page 57
  It is the responsibility of the sanitary district to follow proper reporting procedures. When a sewage release occurs in excess of 1000 gallons to land or any amount is discharged into waters of the state, sanitary districts are required by law to notify the State Office of Emergency Services (OES). The Sanitary District failed to follow proper reporting procedures as prescribed in law.
• R3

  Page 57
  Sewage spills are not subject to Proposition 65 notification as cited in the Grand Jury Report.
• R4

  Page 57
  Referring callers to 911 for sewage spills is not necessary if a Sanitary District follows reporting procedures as prescribed in law. GRAND JURY DETERMINATION 2007-2008 The response by the Murphys Sanitary District does not adequately meet the recommendation of the 2006-2007 Grand Jury. Although the Grand Jury agrees that “Referring callers to 911 for sewage spills is not necessary if a Sanitary District follows reporting procedures as prescribed in law”, the recommendation was made to address any caller (not just a sanitary district) who wishes to report an environmental emergency. SUMMARY MSD currently uses three documents to guide its operations: 1) An employee handbook, dated October 2006; 2) A document titled ‘Ordinance #2’, dated September 2006, which details rules and procedures for dealing with ratepayer hookups; 3) A Capital Improvement Program (CIP), dated February 2006, describing both short and long range infrastructure plans. None of these documents comprise a comprehensive policies and procedure manual for dealing with the day-to-day operation of the district, the wastewater treatment plant, and contingences for emergency reporting. As a result, neither the public, nor the media and some required agencies received notification of this large spill of raw sewage into Angels Creek. RECOMMENDATION The district should immediately draft and adopt a comprehensive policy on emergency procedures with required actions spelled out in detail so whoever is on duty at the plant will be able to notify proper authorities as prescribed by law. The district should also conduct immediate training for all plant personnel on these procedures. Notification forms, public posting signs and media notifications should be prepared and on hand. The Grand Jury also recommends MSD start drafting a comprehensive policy and procedures manual, with a goal of having the manual complete and adopted by the Board of Directors by year end. RESPONSE FROM MURPHYS SANITARY DISTRICT The Murphys Sanitary District does have policy and procedures manuals for both the treatment plant and the collections system and pumping stations. Copies of these documents were given to the Grand Jury. In addition, our SSSOP is an additional document to aid in the prevention of sewer overflows. A copy of this document is enclosed. GRAND JURY DETERMINATION 2007-2008 The Grand Jury determines this response is adequate. 54