For Water Subcommittee Meeting, March 26, 2026
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Sachin Chawla, Director of Utilities
FROM: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Staff Request Water Subcommittee Provide Feedback on Closed-Circuit Television Inspection Findings for the Wastewater Collection System. (ACTION)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee provide feedback on Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) inspection findings for the wastewater collection system.
BACKGROUND
On March 27, 2012, the City Council and the Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) approved a Concession Agreement (CA) with Rialto Water Services, LP (RWS), operated by Veolia North America. Under the terms of the CA, the wastewater collection system is subject to ongoing inspection and condition assessment activities to ensure the reliable conveyance of wastewater and compliance with regulatory requirements.
One of the primary tools used to assess the structural and operational condition of the sewer system is CCTV inspection. CCTV inspections allow operators to visually evaluate underground sewer pipelines and identify structural defects, infiltration issues, blockages, and other conditions that may affect system performance.
RWS/Veolia performs CCTV monitoring on an ongoing basis to assess the condition of sewer pipelines and identify potential maintenance or capital improvement needs. These inspections help identify deficiencies that may require Routine Repair and Replacement (RRR), Operational Repair and Replacement (ORR), or Capital Improvement Program (CIP) activities.
In September 2025, RWS compiled a summary of CCTV inspection findings identifying locations within the wastewater collection system requiring repair or corrective action. The results of this assessment were transmitted to the City in a memorandum summarizing the findings and recommended corrective actions (Attachment 1).
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
RWS conducts ongoing CCTV inspections of the wastewater collection system to evaluate pipeline condition and identify potential repair needs. Recent inspections identified 29 locations requiring corrective action, including broken pipes, structural defects, and lateral intrusions that could potentially lead to blockages or sanitary sewer overflows if not addressed.
The identified deficiencies were prioritized based on risk to system reliability and environmental impacts. The estimated cost to address 29 locations ranges from approximately $625,000 to $1,470,000 depending on site conditions.
Proactively addressing these issues will help maintain the reliability of the wastewater collection system, reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows, and support ongoing asset management of the City’s wastewater infrastructure.
Staff is requesting feedback from the Water Subcommittee on proceeding with a phased approach to address sewer defects identified through the CCTV inspection program, to be funded through the RRR and ORR budgets in the next fiscal year, and coordinated, where feasible, with planned wastewater CIP projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of the proposed action also complies with the following City of Rialto Guiding Principles, General Plan Goals and Policies: “Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The estimated cost to complete the recommended repairs ranges from approximately $625,000 to $1,470,000, depending on field conditions and construction requirements. At this time, a specific funding source has not yet been determined. Staff will evaluate potential funding options within the Wastewater Enterprise Fund, including opportunities to incorporate repairs into Wastewater CIP where appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS
Memo Dated September 13, 2025: Resolution of CCTV Findings - Wastewater Collection System