Marin County Grand Jury • 2013-2014

The Scoop on Marin County Sewer Systems: Part I[pdf]

Published: June 10, 2014 23 pages

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⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 12 findings

A significant portion, representing 57 percent ($77M), of the total tax and fee revenue going to independent special districts in Marin County in fiscal year 2012- 2013 went to wastewater special districts.

Despite the stated priority that agencies have towards minimizing sanitary sewer overflows, Marin County still experiences an unacceptable level of overflows. During the period 2011-2013 a volume reported as 688,548 gallons of wastewater spilled into neighborhoods, streams and the Bay.

Taxpayers ultimately bear the burden of fines resulting from excessive sewer spill activity, which in the period 2011-2013 amounted to $1,839,100.

The City of Sausalito’s rate study dated February 27, 2014, presents a combination of fixed and variable fees to meet capital improvement projects and create greater equity among ratepayers.

The member agencies of Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin are addressing the critical problem of spills from private laterals by working on a model ordinance with triggers that will require private laterals to be inspected and repaired at the time of sale or remodels above a certain dollar amount.

CMSA is in the process of obtaining a permit to allow the use of treated wastewater for off-site purposes, such as sewer pipe flushing and maintenance. The water could be available to its member agencies and potentially other agencies, offering an important water conservation opportunity during a drought time.

The Final Report of the Ross Valley Sanitary District’s July 2012 consolidation study is not posted on RVSD’s website and therefore not easily accessible to the public.

The Final Report of the Ross Valley Sanitary District’s July 2012 consolidation study states that for any consolidation to be equitable to the four central Marin agencies, additional cost efficiencies to the tune of $1,000,000 would be required. This could represent significant savings to the taxpayers of Marin.

There are many costs that are duplicated among wastewater agencies, particularly with regards to management, administration, overhead and governance.

F10

Alto, Almonte and Homestead Valley are merging some personnel and administrative functions and considering merging additional activities, potentially resulting in a more effective management approach for these very small agencies.

F11

The City of Sausalito and Marin City-Sausalito Sanitation District are pursuing functional consolidation that could lead to improved practices, greater efficiencies and cost-savings.

F12

Districts are working together across the County, demonstrating an increasing level of commitment to cooperation and resource sharing. Most districts agree that there is potential for greater collaboration and cost reduction.

Recommendations 8

R1

All districts must work to eliminate spills, through in-depth analysis and investment in infrastructure.
R2

The City of Sausalito share its rate study dated February 27, 2014, with all the collection agencies in Marin.
R3

All agencies adopt an ordinance that will require private laterals to be inspected routinely and repaired as necessary.
R4

All agencies conduct an analysis to determine the feasibility of using treated waste water for flushing pipes in routine maintenance work.
R5

All agencies continue to cooperate with each other and find further ways to reduce costs.
R6

Alto, Almonte and Homestead Valley pursue further merging of operations and administration, including creating one website for the three districts.
R7

The Ross Valley Sanitary District place the July 2012 consolidation study final report on its website and have it be easily accessible to the public.
R8

The central Marin agencies continue to pursue consolidation efforts, both functional and structural.