SR-505-002 (4)
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Council Meeting: July 25, 1989
Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Extension of Emergency Wastewater Control ordinance
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends an extension of the city's emergency
wastewater control ordinance for one year, until June 30, 1990.
BACKGROUND
On July 26, 1988, the City Council approved emergency Ordinance No.
1451 which restricted the amount of wastewater permitted to be
discharged into the Santa Monica sewer system. The Ordinance
limited the growth in sewage flows generated by new development in
FY 1988-89 (July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989) to no more than a 1.36
percent net increase over the total amount of wastewater generated
by the City during the prior fiscal year (July 1, 1987 to June 30,
1988). New developments could not be issued a building permit
without first applying for and receiving a sewer permit.
Ten percent of the permitted annual wastewater increase was
reserved in the ordinance for priority projects as defined below:
(a) Low or moderate income housing projects
(b) Homeless shelters
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(c) Child day care facilities
(d) Public and private non-profit schools
(e) Community service facilities
(f) Residential housing projects of no more than four units
(g) Public restrooms
Any project which demonstrated that it will generate a zero net
flow, either through the installation of an on-site treatment
system or through sufficient retrofitting of existing plumbing
fixtures in the City with ultra low-flow fixtures, was exempted
from the sewer permit requirements.
DISCUSSION
During the period JUly 1, 1988 through June 30, 1989 a total of 98
sewer permits were issued by the City. These 98 permits represented
a total projected net wastewater increase of 104,850 gallons per
day, or approximately 65 percent of the total allocation which was
available for the year (160,480 gallons per day). Of the total
amount allocated, 2,110 gallons per day represented priority
category projects. The total net wastewater flow from new
development in the City during the year was therefore 55,630
gallons per day less than the maximum which could have been allowed
under the emergency ordinance. This fact is primarily the result
of the timing of development approvals as the potential wastewater
flows represented by proposed projects in the "pipeline" far exceed
the annual sewer allocation limit.
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The Hyperion Treatment System, which is utilized by the City of
Santa Monica under contract with the City of Los Angeles, remains
in a precarious situation with respect to its ability to respond
to present and future treatment capacity demands. The City of Los
Angeles is in the process of making permanent their emergency
wastewater control ordinance which expires on August 7, 1989. At
this time it is not known whether or how the City of Los Angeles'
self-imposed restrictions will differ from their emergency
provisions now in effect. It appears likely, however, that the city
of Los Angeles will extend the expiration date of its current
emergency ordinance in order to facilitate this in-depth review of
the need for permanent wastewater control requirements.
In order to ensure that the sewer control measures which are
adhered to by the city of Santa Monica are consistent with the
measures adopted by other Hyperion System partner agencies, namely
the city of Los Angeles, this report recommends that Santa Monica's
emergency wastewater control ordinance be extended until June 30,
1990. Prior to the expiration of this emergency period staff will
present Council with recommendations pertaining to the need for
permanent wastewater control restrictions. An evaluation of the
long term sewage treatment capacity needs of the City will also be
carried out over the next several months and incorporated into any
future staff recommendations.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
It is respectfully recommended that the City Council adopt the
attached emergency wastewater control ordinance to be in effect
until June 30, 2990.
Prepared by:
Stan Scholl, Director of General Services
craig Perkins, Administrative Services Manager
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