CLEARLAKE — An informational presentation was provided by Special Districts Director Mark Dellinger Monday regarding a proposed increase in sewer fees for consumers utilizing the Southeast Regional Wastewater System (SRWS). The proposed increase is $11.13 per month.
The SRWS includes three components: collection system, treatment plant and reuse/recycle facility.
The service area runs from Lower Lake northwest to the Gooseneck in Clearlake Park. It consists of 115 miles of gravity and force main pipes, 21 pump stations and 1,900 manholes. According to Dellinger, the majority of the system is more than 30 years old.
The purpose of the proposed rate increase is to provide funds for operation and maintenance of the system and fund sewer collection system improvements. The primary concern with the system at present is the need for capital project improvements to address chronic spills in the Highlands Harbor and Meadowbrook Drive areas.
Funds generated through proposed increase will also be used to initiate a capital improvement program for future upgrades to the system.
According to Dellinger the sanitation district plans to utilize bond proceeds for the improvements in the Highlands Harbor/Meadowbrook Drive area, which he said will eliminate existing capacity deficiencies. He said to keep the rate increase as minimal as possible the district will utilize $1.4 million in capital reserves as local match for the project to minimize the amount of bond financing.
Capital improvements proposed include the installation of a new pump station and dedicated 12-inch force main that will run directly to the SRWS treatment plant.
Dellinger said that diverting wastewater out of the Meadowbrook Drive area and pumping it directly to the treatment plant, it will remove hydraulic loading on the other portions of the collection system and thereby further protect the entire community”s public health and safety and the water quality of Clear Lake.
In fielding a question from the audience at the Clearlake Senior/Community Center Monday Dellinger explained why the problem in the Meadowbrook area affects the entire system not just the residents of that area. He said that the Meadowbrook area is the lowest point in the collection system. He said heavy rains overloading other parts of the system ultimately overload the system in the Meadowbrook area where there have been spills for a number of years.
Dellinger said that any time there is a discharge from a manhole the district is in violation and is subject to fines by the regional board. He said that while there were spills earlier this year, the district was not fined. He said he thinks the reason there were no fines is because of the extraordinary measures the district is currently taking to address the ongoing problem.
Currently the district is moving toward the installation of a temporary pump station on the north end of Bay Street to lighten the load in the Meadowbrook area. Also, there is a moratorium in place prohibiting new development in area. These are just “Band-Aid” solutions, he said.
The goals for the long term addressed in the capital improvement project include upgrading pump station No. 4, which is located west of Highway 53 near Shaw”s Shady Acres. Upgrading the station is expected to provide for 2,500 to 3,100 new sewer hook-ups.
Dellinger said his department is getting a lot of criticism for allegedly “supporting” the Lowe”s and Provensalia projects. He said the district has no say in what is developed in the area and that with or without any project, upgrades to the system are needed now.
A public hearing will take place at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 7 in Lake County Board of Supervisors Chambers. The hearing will be for final public testimony, hearing protests, tabulation of any protests submitted and taking final action on the charges and fee increase.
Any eligible property owner may file with the Clerk of the Board Directors at or before the end of the public hearing, a written protest against the proposed rate increase. The protest must identify the property, the property owner, reason(s) for the protest and it must be signed by the owner of the property. Each property is allowed one vote of protest.
The written protests may be hand delivered or mailed to the Clerk of the Board of Directors, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. To be counted, the clerk must receive the written protest no later than the end of the Sept. 7 public hearing.
For additional information regarding the proposed rate increase contact Jan Coppinger, fiscal officer at the Special Districts office located at 230 North Main Street in Lakeport or call 263-0119. Documents relevant to the rate increase may be reviewed at the district office during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
