Sewer Smart Summit 2006 ABAGs Sewer Back up Prevention Program Presented by E.J. Shalaby District Manager, West County Wastewater District May 17, 2006

West County Wastewater District Background District Founded in 1921 Currently provide service to 90,000 residents –San Pablo, Pinole, El Sobrante, Tara Hills, East Richmond, Rollingwood, Bayview 235 miles (1.3 mft.) of Gravity Sewer Lines within 17 sq. miles Wastewater Treatment Facility Capacity 12.5 MGD –Avg. dry weather flow 8.0 MGD –Peak wet weather flow 70.0 MGD –EQ Basin Shaves Peaks, 53 MG Capacity Approximately 40,000 Building Sewer connections

West County Wastewater District Capacity Assessment Study Identified 7 Mainline Capacity Concerns Within our Collection System –Potential of $20 million in cost Increase/Repair Sewer System to Accommodate Flows –Does not Control Flows from Defective Private Laterals Ongoing CCTV Assessment for Structural Defects –Rating incorporated into CIP Fully Funded Annual Capital Improvements Program –WCWD Collection System Improvements Private Building Laterals Excluded from Study –Not under Districts Control

Building Sewer Facts Building Sewers Privately Owned Total Building Sewer Footage miles (1.21 mft.) –Equals total footage of mainline sewers Building Sewer Make - Up –Generally poor pipe (VCP) material –Illegal or improper connections and faulty joints High source of Inflow/Infiltration (I/I) Less than 50% of Building Sewers have Backwater Overflow Device (BOD)

Building Sewer Defects

Addressing Building Sewer Defects Building Sewer Replacement Grant Program –Homeowner Incentive to Replace Defective Laterals –Up to $2,000 for Lateral Replacement –Address 230 Miles of Private Sewer System Return on Invest for the District –Reduce sources of I/I –Retain Capacity of Existing System

Building Sewer Replacement Grant Program The gift of public funds, such as any expenditure which benefits an individual or small class of individuals only, with no benefit to all of the residents of the political entity is prohibited (CA State Constitution, Art. 16, Sec. G) I/I reduction benefits All Districts Residents –Retains Maximum Capacity of Sewer System July 1, 2004 Board of Directors approved $300,000 annually (Capital Reserve Fund) Program in effect until Canceled by the Board

BSRGP application process –TV or air test District (TV only) v. Independent Contractor –One Contractor quote WCWD permit required WCWD inspection required BOD installation mandatory Proof of payment Reimbursement 4-6 weeks BSRGP Process

Reimbursement up to maximum amount or 50% of actual cost whichever is less –Entire replacement up to $2,000 max. –Partial replacement/repair up to $1,000 max. Typical cost of entire building sewer replacement $4,500-$8,000 Home owner can perform work –provide receipts of materials –labor not covered BSRGP Process

Backwater Overflow Device (BOD) Ordinance Ordinance Passed on February 2006 Implementation April 1, 2006 Required on All Sale or Transfer of Property Realtors in Support of Ordinance

Future - Lateral Inspection Ordinance Required on All Sale or Transfer of Property Realtors have shown Support of Ordinance Implement with Realtors as Partners

Success/Benefits Since July 1, 2004 –200 approvals –$400,000 WCWD spent to date –$1.5 Million in Lateral Repairs Expenditure to reduce I/I in building sewer is money well spent to retain/increase system capacity Improve Reliability to Homeowner – Good PR BOD installation –Reduces backflows into homes - $25,000/back-up –Reduces damage to irreplaceable items –Limit liability for District

Closing Thought So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late. Lee Iacocca (1924-, American businessman, former CEO of Chrysler)

Questions ? Contact Information: West County Wastewater District 2910 Hilltop Drive Richmond, California