SCMB Staff Reporter
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) desires to transfer ownership and operation of the wastewater system to another agency, such as the County of Santa Cruz, which may be able to operate the system more efficiently. The Bear Creek Estates Wastewater System, operated by the SLVWD, provides wastewater collection and treatment for 56 parcels in a portion of Bear Creek Estates subdivision (units 3, 4, and 5). The Bear Creek Estates Wastewater Treatment plant is located at 15900 Bear Creek Road, Boulder Creek, California. It was initially constructed in 1985 as a septic tank treatment system. It was designed to treat a daily average flow of 12,000 gallons per day (GPD) and a peak wet weather flow of 32,500 gallons per day (GPD).
Sewer Provision History: The Bear Creek Estates subdivision was first developed between 1963 and 1965 and expanded in 1975. Residential units were historically on private septic systems, and approximately half the units remained on private septic systems during the conversion to the sewer system. A private developer constructed the district’s wastewater collection system and septic disposal system in 1985. The wastewater system was acquired by SLVWD when the development requested annexation into the District’s water system.
Based on staff’s analysis, the system has 56 connections with 1.2 miles of sewer lines and 2 pump stations. The System is operating on a routine or as needed basis with staff being allocated from the operations & distribution or Supply & Treatment Departments. An indirect allocation process is used based on the number of overall customers to allocate indirect costs identified as being a shared benefit to all customers.
At present, the System’s annual sewer rates derived from single-family units in the Bear Creek Estates subdivision do not cover the cost of operation. When comparing the sewer rates with the other sanitation districts analyzed, the Bear Creek Estates Wastewater System is ranked the highest in charges towards single-family units at $214.56 per month.
In addition, in 2005, the Central Coast Regional Water Control Board (Regional Board) issued new regulations requiring 50% reduction in total nitrogen (TN) in the wastewater discharge from the treatment plant. To comply with this new requirement, the District completed treatment upgrades in 2005, 2009, and 2013 to the existing treatment septic system by installing three new stage trickling filters, new internal recirculation/splitter/ball valves, and a new air blower with high-capacity disc diffusers in the clarifier tanks. Unfortunately, these modifications have not been successful.
At the end of Fiscal Year 2017-18, total revenue collected was approximately $100,000, representing a 2% decrease from the previous year ($102,107 in FY 16-17). Total expenses for FY 17-18 were approximately $146,000, which decreased from the previous year by approximately $17,000.
The Bear Creek Estates Wastewater System is significantly affected by aging infrastructure, escalating operational costs, and changes to state laws and regulations that may introduce new requirements without additional funding. These issues are common with other sanitation districts in Santa Cruz County.
Several sanitation districts, including the Bear Creek Estates Wastewater System, have expressed interest in transferring sewer responsibilities to another agency due to funding issues, limited long-term planning, or lack of economies of scale. Establishment of a countywide memorandum of understanding or a joint powers authority may unify the already-established collaboration set by the sanitation providers in the county. Such agreements may also lay the foundation for future changes of organization, including but not limited to annexations, consolidations, or mergers.