State Of California Fines City of Pacifica $2.3 Million For Sewage Spills

State Fines Pacifica $2.3 Million: Sewage Spills

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dyan C. Whyte, October 27, 2009, Assistant Executive Officer (510) 622-2441

San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board Staff Requests $2,300,000 Fine against the City of Pacifica for Sewage Discharges into Pacific Ocean

Oakland—The City of Pacifica faces a $2.3 million dollar fine for illegal sewage discharges during heavy rains in January 2008. San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board) staff issued the complaint for unauthorized sewage discharges into the Pacific Ocean. The City discharged 6.9 million gallons of partially treated wastewater diluted with storm water on January 25 and 26, 2008, into Calera Creek. The discharge flowed through Calera Creek Wetlands and into the Pacific Ocean. The discharge occurred when high inflow and infiltration of storm water into the collection system generated more wastewater than the City¹s collection system and wastewater treatment plant capacities. That required wastewater to bypass certain treatment processes and only receive partial treatment. The City also discharged more than 100,000 gallons of raw sewage diluted with storm water from various points in its sanitary sewer collection system on January 25, 2008. All spills caused beach closures. For years, the City has failed to adequately identify and address collection system problems including failure to detect and eliminate storm water infiltration into the collection system. Had the City initiated timely corrective actions, it could have avoided: (1) the collection system overloading (exceeding capacity) and the resultant spills; and (2) the wastewater treatment plant bypass. In addition to these spills, the complaint also addresses numerous smaller collection system spills reported by the City, one larger spill in 2004 from a pump station, and effluent limit and receiving water limit violations. For additional information, please visit WATER BOARD. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board¹s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California's water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.