Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reduction Program
SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW REDUCTION PROGRAM
What are sanitary sewer overflows?
Sanitary sewer collection systems collect sewage and other wastewater and transport it to a treatment and disposal facility. A sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is a spill, release, or unauthorized discharge of wastewater from a sanitary sewer collection system upstream of a wastewater treatment facility. SSOs occur due to grease blockages, root blockages, pipe breaks, excessive stormwater inflow or groundwater infiltration, equipment failures, power outages, vandalism, and insufficient capacity. Because SSOs often contain high levels of solids, pathogens, toxic pollutants, oil and grease, and other pollutants, they may pose a public nuisance, particularly when untreated wastewater is discharged to areas with high public exposure. SSOs may also pollute surface or groundwaters, threatening public health, aquatic life, and recreational activities.
What is required of sewage collection agencies?
In 2004, the Regional Water Board initiated requirements for the region’s sanitary sewer collection system agencies to reduce and prevent SSOs. These requirements mandated electronic SSO reporting. In 2006, the State Water Board adopted similar requirements for all public sanitary sewer collection system agencies in California. State Water Board Order No. 2006-003 prohibits any SSO that results in a discharge to waters of the United States or creates a nuisance. The monst recent and comprehensive reporting requirements are indicated in a May 1, 2008 Letter from the Regional Water Board.
In addition to electronic SSO reporting, each sanitary sewer collection system agency is required to develop and implement a Sanitary Sewer Management Plan and submit annual SSO reports. A Sanitary Sewer Management Plan provides for proper and efficient management, operation, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer collection system. A Sanitary Sewer Management Plan also includes a spill response plan with standard procedures for responding to SSOs to protect public health and stop SSOs from occuring. Sanitary Sewer Management Plans must be submitted by August 31, 2008. Annual SSO reports must summarize all SSOs during the year, identify trends or problem areas within the collection system, and describe the status of efforts to address such problems. The annual report is due on March 15 each year.
Additional details of the State Water Board’s SSO program are available at the State Water Board’s SSO website.
What sewage spills have been reported?
The public may access electronic SSO reports submitted on or after May 2, 2007, through the State Water Board’s Interactive SSO Report. For SSO reports filed from December 1, 2004, through May 1, 2007, the public may review the Region Water Board’s data.
How can I get more information?
The following documents may be helpful:
- Requirements for Reporting of Sanitary Sewer Oveflows (November 2004)
- Requirements for Sewer System Management Plans (July 2005)
- Water Board supports local programs for the inspection and rehabilitation of private sewer laterals (October 2005)
- Impact of Statewide SSO Requirements on SF Bay Collection Systems (September 2006)
For more information about sanitary sewer overflows in the San Francisco Bay Region, contact Michael Chee at mchee@waterboards.ca.gov or (510) 622-2333.
Links
- SSO Notification and Reporting Procedures
- State Water Board Order No. 2006-0003
- State Water Board SSO Web Page
- SSMP Development Guide
- State Water Board Interactive SSO Report
- Regional Water Board Data