Report Prepared by: Ken F. Elwin, PE, Director of Public Works
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Merced, Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Regarding On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems Located in the City of Merced
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a memorandum of understanding with the County of Merced, Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health regarding on-site wastewater treatment (septic) systems.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the memorandum of understanding with the County of Merced, Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health regarding on-site wastewater treatment systems; and, authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff;
2. Approve, subject to conditions outlined by Council;
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific findings;
4. Continue to a future meeting;
5. Deny.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2020-21 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
History and Past Actions
The State of California adopted Assembly Bill 885 in September 2000, which required the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to adopt regulations or standards for the permitting and operation of on-site wastewater treatment systems (OWTS).
The SWRCB subsequently adopted policy effective May 2013 which established low-risk OWTS siting and design requirements and allowed for a waiver of Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) permits for OWTS systems meeting the policy criteria. The policy also authorized local agencies to submit to the Regional Water Quality Control Board a Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) for approval of alternative methods of OWTS siting and design to achieve the same purpose.
The LAMP submitted by the County of Merced (County) was approved by the...
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