To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Michael Makdisi 565-3747
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Mapping Study and Analysis for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Contract
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the County Administrator or designee to execute a Professional Services Contract with Arup US Inc. for creation of an interactive map and analysis report for the period of August 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for an amount not-to-exceed $249,948.
end
Executive Summary:
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) are commonly known as septic systems. OWTS-related regulations are becoming more stringent, especially in areas near waterways impaired with pollutants, such as excess pathogens, bacteria, or nutrients. To develop a better understanding of the status of OWTS throughout the County, in 2021 the Board of Supervisors approved $250,000 to fund a septic-focused, county-wide mapping study. The proposed contract with Arup US, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $249,948 will create an interactive map and provide analysis of OWTS infrastructure throughout the County. It is anticipated that this project will increase our understanding about the challenges and opportunities for wastewater treatment alternatives, including management and support options, and help direct OWTS-related outreach and planning efforts. Staff respectfully requests approval from the Board of Supervisors for execution of the proposed contract.
Discussion:
Background:
The State of California adopted a statewide OWTS Policy in 2012 that became effective in 2013. The OWTS Policy established minimum requirements for OWTS for the purpose of protecting beneficial uses of waters and preventing or correcting conditions of pollution and nuisance. In accordance with the State’s OWTS Policy, the County of Sonoma adopted an OWTS Manual. Permit Sonoma is currently working on a revision to the County’s OWTS Manual.
Sonoma County’s anticipated OWTS Manual revision is a response, in part, to existing and anticipated State regulations applicable to the Russian River, Petaluma River, and Sonoma Creek. These rivers are listed as impaired under the Clean Water Act by pathogens. On December 2, 2021, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board approved an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast Region. This amendment includes a plan to implement a Total Maximum Daily Load (“TMDL”) for pathogens in the Russian River Watershed, including a pathogen discharge prohibition. The plan is currently awaiting approval from the State Water Resources Control Board. Two similar implementation plans were previously approved for Sonoma County waters: a bacteria TMDL in 2021 for the Petaluma River, and a pathogen TMDL in 2008 for Sonoma Creek.
In 2021, your Board allocated $250,000 for the development of a high-level mapping study and analysis to identify areas within Sonoma County with low, moderate and high densities of septic infrastructure, where that infrastructure is located in relation to new or foreseeable TMDLs imposed by the State Water Quality Control Board, and where if geographically, politically and economically feasible, existing or new special service district or wastewater management district boundaries could be created or modified to allow for the management and support of community wastewater needs, including but not limited to, sewer conveyance and treatment, individual and shared septic systems, and alternative wastewater treatment technologies.
Request for Proposals and Selection:
Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on February 28, 2023, for the completion of a Mapping Study and Analysis for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. The RFP closed on May 31, 2023. Proposers were required to demonstrate their ability to complete an interactive map and analysis as described in the RFP. The full evaluation criteria can be found beginning on page 13 of the RFP (Attachment B: RFP for OWTS Mapping Study and Analysis). The evaluation committee included staff from the County Administrator’s Office’s Climate Action and Resiliency Division, Permit Sonoma, the County’s Information Services Department, Sonoma Water, and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Staff also conducted refence checks before finalizing their decision. After deliberations, the evaluation committee selected Arup US, Inc. (Arup).
Proposed Contract:
The proposed contract with Arup will produce two main deliverables: (1) a mapping study analysis report, and (2) an interactive map. The primary goals of the report are to increase the awareness and understanding of the Board of Supervisors, County Staff, County partners, and the public about OWTS in the County, and to identify alternative wastewater treatment opportunities in unsewered areas with OWTS, including improved management and support of community wastewater treatment and alternative technologies. The interactive map will take two forms. The first will be a tool for the County and its partners to use to better understand and address the County’s wastewater needs. The second will be in a format designed for and available to the public. In conjunction with the report, County staff intends to use the map to help direct OWTS-related outreach and planning efforts, and to assist communities in developing area-specific plans to address their OWTS-related wastewater treatment challenges.
This project will advance our understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing OWTS, especially considering the need to satisfy the new and anticipated OWTS-related regulations. This project is a critical first step toward identifying and implementing the most appropriate, area-specific, wastewater solutions, especially in communities with high densities of septic infrastructure. Staff respectfully requests approval from the Board of Supervisors for execution of the proposed contract to perform a mapping study and analysis for County OWTS.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
June 15, 2021: Approved Budget that included funds for septic system infrastructure mapping
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
249,948 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
|
249,948 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
249,948 |
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
|
249,948 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
On June 15, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved $350,000 from the general fund to be used for a mapping study and analysis of septic infrastructure, with the expectation that $250,000 would be used to develop a mapping tool and analysis report, and that $100,000 would be used for community engagement. This professional services contract is to conduct develop a mapping tool and analysis report only. The necessary budget adjustments will be made as part of an FY23-24 Consolidated Budget Adjustment.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
NA
Attachments:
Attachment A: Arup Contract
Attachment B: RFP for OWTS Mapping Study and Analysis
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
NA