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The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2009-10

PLAN AND ASSESS: SEWAGE SPILLS

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GROUP: SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS
(Collection Systems)
MEASURE: SIZE OF SEWER SYSTEMS
SEWAGE SPILLS
MESSAGE:   Approximately 40% of the collection system accounts for 77% of SSO events in the State.
KEY STATISTICS FOR FY 2009-10
Number of Spills 5,180
Volume Spilled (gallons) 24,047,970

MEASUREMENTS

 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data is showing that the number of SSO events are concentrated in Regions 2 and 5, between the two regions they account for 40% of the total size of collection systems with 77% of the total number of sewage spills.  These two regions also have some of the larger collection systems in the State.  The average spill volume though varies significantly around the State with Region 7 accounting for the largest average spill amount (65,656 gallons per spill) while having the lowest number of reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSO).

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

SSOs often contain high levels of suspended solids, pathogenic organisms, toxic pollutants, nutrients, oil, and grease. Typical consequences of SSOs include the closure of beaches and other recreational areas, inundated properties, and polluted rivers and streams.  This measure tracks the reporting required by the Statewide Sanitary Sewer Order and will help to determine if the sewer system management plans (SSMP), also required by the order, are contributing to a reduction in the number of SSO events.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

GLOSSARY

Sanitary Sewer Overflow
A sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is any overflow, spill, release, discharge or diversion of untreated or partially treated wastewater from a sanitary sewer system. SSOs do not include overflows from blockages or other problems within a privately owned lateral.

Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction Program
In May, 2006, the State Water Board adopted a Statewide Sanitary Sewer Order ( ORDER NO. 2006-0003-DWQ ) to address the issue of SSOs in a consistent and uniform manner statewide. Through the order, California became the first state in the nation to implement a program focused on the regulation of sanitary sewer systems. Sanitary sewer system agencies covered under the order, referred to as Enrollees, are required to report all SSOs for which their agency has responsibility into the State Water Board’s SSO database. Enrollees are also able to report sewage discharges from privately owned laterals or collection systems, for which the Enrollee has knowledge of the event but is not responsible, on a voluntary basis.

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