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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the 2025 Update to the Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP).
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Meeting Date: June 23, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary/PW-EPO
Phone Number: (310) 253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/19/2025)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director (06/02/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution approving the City’s Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) update pursuant to State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Statewide Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City’s sewer system consists of 86 miles of sewer mains that the Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining. The majority of the City’s sewage is treated by the City of Los Angeles’ Hyperion Treatment Plant, with two parcels being treated by Los Angeles County Sanitation District #5.
On May 2, 2006 the SWRCB adopted the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) and Monitoring and Reporting Program (MRP) to regulate wastewater collection system management. The WDR applies to all public collection system agencies in California that own or operate collection systems with more than one mile of sewer lines that convey untreated wastewater to a publicly owned treatment facility. One of the requirements of the WDR is that each covered agency prepare, certify, and implement a SSMP. Staff prepared and the City Council adopted the City’s SSMP on July 13, 2009 through adoption of Resolution 2009-R055. The monitoring and reporting requirements were updated as part of Order 2013-0058-EXEC.
Major changes to the WDR in the 2022 order include the addition of privately-owned, federally owned, and non-governmental sewer systems to the requirements at the discretion of Regional Water Boards; expanded protections to waters of the State (surface water and groundwater), not just waters of the U.S.; prohibition of sewage discharges to waters of the State unless properly cleaned up and reported; expanded categories of spills; and requirements to agencies to address climate change impacts on sewer systems through system-specific plans. The WDR requires the City governing entity to approve the updated Plan in compliance with the WDR every five years or when significant updates to the SSMP are made. The designated Legally Responsible Official (LRO), the Public Works Director/City Engineer, shall upload and certify the approved updated Plan in the online California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) Sanitary Sewer System Database. The City Council adopted the City’s SSMP revision on June 23, 2014 through adoption of Resolution 2014-R047.
To provide a consistent, statewide regulatory approach to addressing sanitary sewer spills, the SWRCB adopted the statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ, which superseded Order 2006-0003-DWQ on December 6, 2022 and became effective on June 5, 2023. This new order requires the enrollee update its Sewer System Management Plan every six (6) years and perform program audits every three (3) years. The City is required to comply with this requirement, which indicates that an updated and approved SSMP must be adopted by August 2, 2025.
The SSMP describes the City’s wastewater collection system management activities. The purpose of the SSMP is to establish a formal program for maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation of the City’s sanitary sewage collection system. Effective management of a sanitary sewer collection system includes:
1. Maintaining or improving the condition of the collection system infrastructure to provide reliable service.
2. Cost-effectively minimizing the infiltration/inflow (I/I) of groundwater and providing adequate sewer capacity to accommodate additional flows during storm events.
3. Minimizing the frequency and impact of spills.
The SSMP has been revised to address the requirements of the new order and to address the City’s experience over the last six years. The SSMP is an effective tool for the ongoing management of the City’s wastewater collection system and for preventing sanitary sewer overflows. With the support of the City Council, activities, and program elements identified in the SSMP ensure the City’s ongoing compliance with State regulations. The next update is anticipated in 2031.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact related to the adoption and approval of the 2025 SSMP; however, additional expenses may be realized if deficiencies in the sewer infrastructure are revealed. Ongoing costs for the management, operation, and maintenance of the City’s wastewater collection system are paid for through the sewer enterprise fund.
ATTACHMENT
1. 2025-06-23_ATT_Resolution Approving 2025 SSMP Update (including updated SSMP)
MOTION
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution approving the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan update pursuant to State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ.