For Water Subcommittee Meeting January 29, 2025
TO: Honorable Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: John Rossi, Interim Utilities Director
FROM: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
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Staff request that the Water Subcommittee receive an update that the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Septic to Sewer Planning Application is in the comprehensive fundable list for FY 2025/2026 for grant funding. (RECEIVE AND FILE)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Water Subcommittee receive and file an update that the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Septic to Sewer Planning Application is in the comprehensive fundable list for FY 2025/2026 for grant funding
BACKGROUND
On November 14, 2023, the City of Rialto (City)/Rialto Utility Authority (RUA) Board adopted City Council Resolution No. 8165 and Rialto Utility Authority Board Resolution No. 08-24, which authorized the submission of a grant application to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the Septic-to-Sewer Disadvantaged Communities Project Grant.
Administered by the Office of Sustainable Water Solutions in the Division of Financial Assistance of the SWRCB, the Wastewater Planning Application provided wastewater systems and communities with the opportunity to apply for funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program. The City/RUA's cost share would be 0% for planning projects because the project serves 100% disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities.
Following City Council/Rialto Utility Authority Board authorization, the City/RUA submitted a grant application to the CWSRF for $370,000 to fund a detailed analysis of the feasibility of transitioning approximately 229 residential properties located in disadvantaged portions of the city from septic systems to Rialto's sewer system. The feasibility study and preliminary design involved research, data collection, and analysis to confirm septic properties and evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of connecting to Rialto's sewer system. The preliminary design proposed in the project’s scope of work included up to approximately 60% design completion.
Additionally, Rialto intends to engage in community outreach to facilitate the project's success, confirm the locations of septic systems, and determine the best approach for extending the sewer collection system to serve specific areas currently reliant on septic tanks.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
In late November 2024, staff was notified that the City/RUA’s application for the Septic to Sewer Planning Application is in the comprehensive fundable list for FY 2025/2026 for grant funding.
The Project will evaluate the feasibility of constructing new sewer lines within the public street right-of-way, making connections between the new sewer line and individual parcels, and decommissioning the existing septic tanks.
The Project is needed because: 1) Failing septic systems are a potential source of increased pollution to water resources; 2) Failing septic systems often do not fully treat waste, which can then migrate to a nearby stream, lake, or shallow drinking water well; and 3) In extreme cases, failed drain systems can result in overflows or untreated waste in yards, creating significant health hazards.
The proposed Project areas are served by individual onsite systems (i.e., septic systems) for the treatment and disposal of sanitary waste. Many of the onsite systems are old, non-conforming with respect to current standards, and are a source of potential public health and water quality concerns due to their proximity to Rialto’s primary groundwater source/supply.
The Project is the first phase of a proposed overall Septic-to-Sewer Program. The Project includes five (5) areas that serve Disadvantaged or Severely Disadvantaged Communities (out of a total of 16 areas in the overall City of Rialto Septic-to-Sewer Program):
• #9 Shamrock
• #11 Maple Misc.
• #13 Bloomington Ave. North of Randall
• #14 Bloomington Ave. South of Randall
• #15 Pomona/Iris
Based on what we learn from this planning process, we can expand our efforts to other areas of the City.
ATTACHMENT 1 presents an illustration of the five (5) project areas that combine to make up the Project Area.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The requested 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 IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact on the operational budget with this action.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The Septic-to-Sewer Disadvantaged Communities Project cost for planning is $370,000, which would all be reimbursable grant funded.