Sanitation district sets sessions on proposed sewer ordinance

The Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District will host two community meetings this month to discuss a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing sewer overflows that occur during heavy rains.

The meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Glen Ellen fire station, 13445 Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Sonoma Charter School, 17202 Sonoma Highway in Sonoma.

A major factor in sanitary sewer overflows is what is known as “inflow and infiltration” as stormwater enters the sewer collection system during storms. Inflow from aging sewer mains and private sewer laterals contribute to these overflows.

The proposed Sewer Lateral Ordinance would require property owners of homes and businesses that are 30 years or older to have private sewer laterals inspected and repaired, if necessary, in order to prevent sewer overflows that contribute to pollution and result in costly fines to the district. An estimated two-thirds of the sewer laterals in Sonoma Valley are at least 30 years old and likely in need of repair.

“This is an opportunity for property owners in the district to find out about the proposed ordinance, and how they can participate in the process and contribute to a solution to this problem,” said Water Agency Director Susan Gorin, who also serves as a sanitation district director in her role as county supervisor in the First District. “The district is committed to investing in the needed improvements to our sewer collection system. Repairing private sewer laterals plays a crucial role in the overall effort to prevent sewer overflows.”

During large storms, sewer overflows often go into creeks that flow into San Pablo Bay. As a result of a series of overflows between 2010 and 2014, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board last year fined the district $732,000 and mandated the district to consider an ordinance that would result in sewer laterals being repaired or replaced.

Under the proposed ordinance, the district will offer free inspections of private sewer laterals to property owners, and for a limited time will offer rebates of up to $1,000 for repairs. A low-interest loan program is also being considered that would allow qualified property owners to pay for repairs over a period of several years.

For information about private sewer laterals, visit sonomacountywater.org/lateral. For info about the SVCSD, go to sonomacountywater.org/svcsd.