The District recently conducted a condition assessment that found the District's main wastewater treatment plant well maintained, although considerable signs of aging were apparent. Mechanical and electrical equipment is at or beyond its expected useful life and below efficient energy, environmental, and safety standards. In addition, the close proximity to the ocean and the San Francisco Bay, which is not typical for wastewater treatment plants, creates a very harsh and corrosive environment.

The current main plant was constructed in the early 1980s, with some structures dating to the 1960s. It is anticipated that routine maintenance costs will rise to significant annual expenditures. Therefore, the Board of Directors of Sanitary District No. 5 has authorized a report for the Preliminary Design of the Main Plant Capital Rehabilitation and Replacement Project to be completed in 2011. If the main plant rehabilitation project is deemed appropriate for the District's needs, construction would begin in 2012 and be completed by 2014.

In the event the District moves forward with this project, Tiburon and Belvedere residents will be informed as to its progress at regular intervals during monthly Board meetings and through the District's quarterly newsletter. 

The District has invested $1.95 MM on construction of the new Paradise Cove treatment facility and the new Paradise Drive sewer main. The new facility serves Paradise Drive residents from Trestle Glen to Teaberry Lane, including the residents of the Seafirth subdivision who recently decommissioned their private treatment facility and connected to the new forced main.

Though the plant is now fully operational, only a few property owners along Paradise Drive have taken advantage of the opportunity to decommission their aging septic systems and connect to the new forced main to contribute to cleaner, safer, and more environmentally sound sanitary service. The District has done its part. It's time to do yours.

In 2008-2009, the Board of Directors voted not to enact the previously approved 9% rate increase (approved as part of the last "Prop. 218 process"). It did vote to enact the previously approved 2009-2010 4% rate increase and has initiated a new 218 process to investigate rate increases which would take effect in 2010 through 2014. Stay tuned for more information.

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Financial Statements Are Online

Audited financial statements for the District's 2008-2009 Fiscal Year, as well as the District’s FY 2010-2011 Budget, are now posted. You are encouraged to peruse them both.

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Despite the diligence of the District's maintenance program, overflows do still occur. Culprits include: diapers and other hygiene products that should not have been flushed down the toilet; fats, oils, and grease (FOG) that should not have been poured down the drain; and construction debris introduced into the collection system. In short, overflows are usually preventable. Overflow cleanup is costly and has the potential to introduce pathogens into the environment. If an overflow reaches a storm drain or watershed, the District is required to report the incident to environmental agencies, raising the potential for fines or litigation (under provisions of the Clean Water Act) by environmental watchdog groups. In fact, the District recently settled (for $17,000) with such a group whose cause of action was based simply on the fact that overflows had occurred.

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If a blockage occurs in the sanitary sewer system, sewage will rise through a manhole and overflow to the surrounding area. However, if your house plumbing is below the level of the overflowing manhole, the sewage can backup through your house side sewer lateral and enter your home through your plumbing drains. Backflow prevention devices are designed to prevent sewage from entering your home and are mandated by building code as well as District ordinance. When the need for a backflow prevention device is overlooked or ignored, the consequences can be devastating.

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Water recycling

With cost estimates approaching $600,000, limited storage capacity and a lengthy payback period (40+ years), a program to deliver "Title 22" recycled water to the community-at-large is difficult to justify even if funds were available. Undaunted however, the District is pursuing opportunities with individual home-owners where their proximity to its facilities makes it feasible.

Alternative Energy

Although the main plant is located in a south-facing, "solar-power sweet spot," the District's facilities are without sufficient roof-area or adjacent real-estate for the installation of photovoltaic panels to make a meaningful contribution to its energy needs. However, through its participation in PG&E's demand reduction programs and through the use of the methane gas that is a byproduct of operations, the District was able to reduce its utility costs by 1.5% over the previous year.

Sanitary District No. 5 will be performing smoke testing of its collections system on September 28, 2009 and will continue testing through September 30, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Smoke testing of sanitary sewer collection systems was initiated in 1961 at McPherson, Kansas.

The Environmental Protection Agency endorses smoke testing as a way to identify where infiltration of storm water into the collection system, may be occurring. (Usually roof drains or storm drains plumbed to the collection system.) Smoke testing uses no explosive material and will leave no visible residue.

The District will start testing in the Belvedere Zone along the following streets. Lower Beach Road, all of San Rafael Ave, Leeward, Windward, Edgewater, Lagoon Road andPeninsula Road.

During the testing period, do not be alarmed if you see smoke emanating from a storm or roof drain.

Please contact the District Office at 435-1501 if you have any question or concerns.