Dear Russian River Supporter:
September saw the dam break, so to speak. RRWPC has been focused on several long term issues for what feels like a very long time, waiting for something meaningful to happen. There were changes to the missions, changes of staff, stalling on documents, hold ups on plan approvals, and more.
Everything was in constant flux, but little movement was taking place. And then suddenly, and soon after, similar to Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and emergence of Harris, fireworks exploded and vast energies released. Last week alone, I attended five Zoom meetings that followed up with brand new works being initiated, or release of critical documents that had been in the works for a very long time, or legal actions that found resolution after years of debate. This mailer gives a few samples of that energy.
Monte Rio/Villa Grande examination of sewer system options and projected costs…..As you know, for many years RRWPC has been closely tracking plans for resolution of Monte Rio and Villa Grande’s interminable septic issues. RRWPC has been a member of the nine member citizens committee (known as the CAG) since its inception five years ago. It was no surprise to learn that many septic systems in the area (about 57%) had never been repaired or upgraded (formally with permit) and involvement by the North Coast Regional Water Board triggered action, at the same time the County permit department was developing new septic system rules. From the beginning, both agencies agreed that cesspool systems would become illegal and replacements and/or upgrades would be necessary. (Other agencies also involved included the Fifth District Supervisor’s office staff, and Sonoma County Water Agency, etc.) A consultant was hired to describe the study area, identify potential remedies, and write a study of preferred options. (Brelje and Race) The Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project was released about two weeks ago.
Brelje and Race did a fairly detailed assessment of the septic system situation, and assessed, as an example, that, “….345 parcels were determined to be unlikely to support a code compliant septic system.” And, “…441 parcels, were identified as not likely to be suitable for an individual OWTS solution.” As an alternative to individual septic systems, the study also looks at Community Septic Systems, which were similarly problematic. (Quote from “Monte Rio & Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project: Alternatives Development and Analysis: September, 2024). OWTS stands for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System.
The section of most concern to RRWPC however, is the consultant’s recommendation that hook up to Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD) is preferred solution was in spite of the fact that:
• It is likely that one or two pump stations (Main and Vacation Beach), both with a history of problems, would be utilized by MR/VG for transport of their waste to the Treatment Plant. (Description of the hookups are extremely unclear, especially if they utilize only one pump station as stated.)
• MR/VG’s role in bringing station and pipeline up to standard in order to serve a much greater load is totally undefined, especially during flood periods. (Document doesn’t say much of how the higher loadings would impact all RRCSD facilities, especially during floods. While they claim flooding won’t be a problem because of the special pipe they use, they don’t say what will happen when water inundates the plumbing of houses that flood during high waters. It’s the waters coming through the plumbing that creates much of the inundation of the system. External drains are also opened up in order to clear the properties.)
• It is our understanding that the disinfection system and the clarifiers would not have the capacity to fully treat all flows during large floods. The system is currently allowed to exceed peak flows for brief times during floods, but that still won’t provide adequate time for all treatment of MR/VG flood flows under current capacity. Wastewater discharge would need to exceed permit requirements which could and probably will result in penalties and fines. It is unknown how much current ratepayers may be affected by these additional flows. It is also unclear how you separate the flood flows of MR/VG and current ratepayers to guarantee fair distribution of costs. And who is responsible if the extra flow results in expensive pipeline breakdown? They do not address this.
• It appears that one option would have MR/VG flows utilize the same pipeline as current ratepayers, with one option hooking up to the Main Pump Station and crossing the river to the Vacation Beach Pump Station, and mixing with current rate payer flows. Then another option would use the Main Pump Station and hook up to a mysterious pipeline that has never been used and about which nothing is known. (It was put in when they installed the irrigation pipeline to the golf course.)
• They fail to describe the condition of force main under the river which has been problematic since 2014, when there was a major break.
• This ‘project description’ is extremely over-simplified and is a grossly inadequate description of the facilities necessary to implement this option.
Of course there are cost constraints to the consultant contract, and it may be that they are not required to provide detailed information that would allow meaningful cost projections. But if this is the case, they should not be projecting that this is the preferred option. In any case, this study has a long way to go before it should be used to judge and determine the preferred option. We encourage our supporters to do this:
Upcoming Board of Supervisors’ Meeting may select RRCSD as preferred MR/VG project. Please send an email to Supervisor Hopkins asking them not to make a decision until there is more information on the preferred option. Email address: Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
We do not know yet when this meeting will take place, but with the release of this document the Supervisors may soon decide as to whether to select the RRCSD as the recipient of MR/VG waste and initiate the next phase of the planning process. This option should not be selected until more information is available and ratepayers of the District. Ratepayers already pay the second highest fees in the County.
Major Guerneville property purchased by County for conservation and recreation….Because of Guerneville Forest Coalition’s (GFC) valiant effort in opposing an extensive Timber Harvest Plan, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD), were ultimately able to purchase that 394+ acre property filled not only with a sea of redwood trees, but also home to the highest redwood tree in Sonoma County: the Clar tree. Sonoma County Water Agency will manage the land, which also contains the Russian River County Sanitation District facility and irrigation area (occupying 77 acres of the parcel). We anticipate possible future issues with managing wastewater irrigation in proximity to recreation and conservation projects. Wastewater irrigated will probably require a much higher degree of treatment and monitoring and likely also to require a large amount of additional expense. RRWPC will stay involved with the Guerneville Forest Coalition on this issue.
RRWPC needs your continued support….
Donor contributions sustain our independent river protection work. We rely exclusively on six (or fewer) mailers a year for our entire fiscal support. We can do so because we are primarily a volunteer organization. We appreciate any amount you can contribute. Donations may be sent via mailed check (with card and envelope provided) or by using PayPal at our website, www.rrwpc.org RRWPC has experienced a dearth of contributions in the last few months and with all that is happening on our local scene, we hope you will be able to support our efforts with a donation at this time. The project outlined here is going to have a major impact on our community and there is much more to tell you in future letters. When RRCSD was built, there were so many mistakes that construction costs more than doubled. We are trying to keep that from happening again. We also want to diminish their history as the worst polluter of the Russian River.
PC
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee
P.O. Box 501
Guerneville, CA 95446
rrwpc@comcast.net
www.rrwpc.org
October 1, 2014
Dear Russian River Supporter:
September saw the dam break, so to speak. RRWPC has been focused on several long term issues for what feels like a very long time, waiting for something meaningful to happen. There were changes to the missions, changes of staff, stalling on documents, hold ups on plan approvals, and more. Everything was in constant flux, but little movement was taking place. And then suddenly, and soon after, similar to Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and emergence of Harris, fireworks exploded and vast energies released. Last week alone, I attended five Zoom meetings that followed up with brand new works being initiated, or release of critical documents that had been in the works for a very long time, or legal actions that found resolution after years of debate. This mailer gives a few samples of that energy.
Monte Rio/Villa Grande examination of sewer system options and projected costs…..
As you know, for many years RRWPC has been closely tracking plans for resolution of Monte Rio and Villa Grande’s interminable septic issues. RRWPC has been a member of the nine member citizens committee (known as the CAG) since its inception five years ago. It was no surprise to learn that many septic systems in the area (about 57%) had never been repaired or upgraded (formally with permit) and involvement by the North Coast Regional Water Board triggered action, at the same time the County permit department was developing new septic system rules. From the beginning, both agencies agreed that cesspool systems would become illegal and replacements and/or upgrades would be necessary. (Other agencies also involved included the Fifth District Supervisor’s office staff, and Sonoma County Water Agency, etc.) A consultant was hired to describe the study area, identify potential remedies, and write a study of preferred options. (Brelje and Race) The Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project was released about two weeks ago.
Brelje and Race did a fairly detailed assessment of the septic system situation, and assessed, as an example, that, “….345 parcels were determined to be unlikely to support a code compliant septic system.” And, “…441 parcels, were identified as not likely to be suitable for an individual OWTS solution.” As an alternative to individual septic systems, the study also looks at Community Septic Systems, which were similarly problematic. (Quote from “Monte Rio & Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project: Alternatives Development and Analysis: September, 2024). OWTS stands for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System.
The section of most concern to RRWPC however, is the consultant’s recommendation that hook up to Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD) is preferred solution was in spite of the fact that:
• It is likely that one or two pump stations (Main and Vacation Beach), both with a history of problems, would be utilized by MR/VG for transport of their waste to the Treatment Plant. (Description of the hookups are extremely unclear, especially if they utilize only one pump station as stated.)
• MR/VG’s role in bringing station and pipeline up to standard in order to serve a much greater load is totally undefined, especially during flood periods. (Document doesn’t say much of how the higher loadings would impact all RRCSD facilities, especially during floods. While they claim flooding won’t be a problem because of the special pipe they use, they don’t say what will happen when water inundates the plumbing of houses that flood during high waters. It’s the waters coming through the plumbing that creates much of the inundation of the system. External drains are also opened up in order to clear the properties.)
• It is our understanding that the disinfection system and the clarifiers would not have the capacity to fully treat all flows during large floods. The system is currently allowed to exceed peak flows for brief times during floods, but that still won’t provide adequate time for all treatment of MR/VG flood flows under current capacity. Wastewater discharge would need to exceed permit requirements which could and probably will result in penalties and fines. It is unknown how much current ratepayers may be affected by these additional flows. It is also unclear how you separate the flood flows of MR/VG and current ratepayers to guarantee fair distribution of costs. And who is responsible if the extra flow results in expensive pipeline breakdown? They do not address this.
• It appears that one option would have MR/VG flows utilize the same pipeline as current ratepayers, with one option hooking up to the Main Pump Station and crossing the river to the Vacation Beach Pump Station, and mixing with current rate payer flows. Then another option would use the Main Pump Station and hook up to a mysterious pipeline that has never been used and about which nothing is known. (It was put in when they installed the irrigation pipeline to the golf course.)
• They fail to describe the condition of force main under the river which has been problematic since 2014, when there was a major break.
• This ‘project description’ is extremely over-simplified and is a grossly inadequate description of the facilities necessary to implement this option.
Of course there are cost constraints to the consultant contract, and it may be that they are not required to provide detailed information that would allow meaningful cost projections. But if this is the case, they should not be projecting that this is the preferred option. In any case, this study has a long way to go before it should be used to judge and determine the preferred option. We encourage our supporters to do this:
Upcoming Board of Supervisors’ Meeting may select RRCSD as preferred MR/VG project. Please send an email to Supervisor Hopkins asking them not to make a decision until there is more information on the preferred option. Email address: Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
We do not know yet when this meeting will take place, but with the release of this document the Supervisors may soon decide as to whether to select the RRCSD as the recipient of MR/VG waste and initiate the next phase of the planning process. This option should not be selected until more information is available and ratepayers of the District. Ratepayers already pay the second highest fees in the County.
Major Guerneville property purchased by County for conservation and recreation….
Because of Guerneville Forest Coalition’s (GFC) valiant effort in opposing an extensive Timber Harvest Plan, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD), were ultimately able to purchase that 394+ acre property filled not only with a sea of redwood trees, but also home to the highest redwood tree in Sonoma County: the Clar tree. Sonoma County Water Agency will manage the land, which also contains the Russian River County Sanitation District facility and irrigation area (occupying 77 acres of the parcel). We anticipate possible future issues with managing wastewater irrigation in proximity to recreation and conservation projects. Wastewater irrigated will probably require a much higher degree of treatment and monitoring and likely also to require a large amount of additional expense. RRWPC will stay involved with the Guerneville Forest Coalition on this issue.
RRWPC needs your continued support….
Donor contributions sustain our independent river protection work. We rely exclusively on six (or fewer) mailers a year for our entire fiscal support. We can do so because we are primarily a volunteer organization. We appreciate any amount you can contribute. Donations may be sent via mailed check (with card and envelope provided) or by using PayPal at our website, www.rrwpc.org RRWPC has experienced a dearth of contributions in the last few months and with all that is happening on our local scene, we hope you will be able to support our efforts with a donation at this time. The project outlined here is going to have a major impact on our community and there is much more to tell you in future letters. When RRCSD was built, there were so many mistakes that construction costs more than doubled. We are trying to keep that from happening again. We also want to diminish their history as the worst polluter of the Russian River.
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee
P.O. Box 501
Guerneville, CA 95446
rrwpc@comcast.net
www.rrwpc.org
October 1, 2014
Dear Russian River Supporter:
September saw the dam break, so to speak. RRWPC has been focused on several long term issues for what feels like a very long time, waiting for something meaningful to happen. There were changes to the missions, changes of staff, stalling on documents, hold ups on plan approvals, and more. Everything was in constant flux, but little movement was taking place. And then suddenly, and soon after, similar to Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and emergence of Harris, fireworks exploded and vast energies released. Last week alone, I attended five Zoom meetings that followed up with brand new works being initiated, or release of critical documents that had been in the works for a very long time, or legal actions that found resolution after years of debate. This mailer gives a few samples of that energy.
Monte Rio/Villa Grande examination of sewer system options and projected costs…..As you know, for many years RRWPC has been closely tracking plans for resolution of Monte Rio and Villa Grande’s interminable septic issues. RRWPC has been a member of the nine member citizens committee (known as the CAG) since its inception five years ago. It was no surprise to learn that many septic systems in the area (about 57%) had never been repaired or upgraded (formally with permit) and involvement by the North Coast Regional Water Board triggered action, at the same time the County permit department was developing new septic system rules. From the beginning, both agencies agreed that cesspool systems would become illegal and replacements and/or upgrades would be necessary. (Other agencies also involved included the Fifth District Supervisor’s office staff, and Sonoma County Water Agency, etc.) A consultant was hired to describe the study area, identify potential remedies, and write a study of preferred options. (Brelje and Race) The Monte Rio and Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project was released about two weeks ago.
Brelje and Race did a fairly detailed assessment of the septic system situation, and assessed, as an example, that, “….345 parcels were determined to be unlikely to support a code compliant septic system.” And, “…441 parcels, were identified as not likely to be suitable for an individual OWTS solution.” As an alternative to individual septic systems, the study also looks at Community Septic Systems, which were similarly problematic. (Quote from “Monte Rio & Villa Grande Wastewater Solutions Project: Alternatives Development and Analysis: September, 2024). OWTS stands for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System.
The section of most concern to RRWPC however, is the consultant’s recommendation that hook up to Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD) is preferred solution was in spite of the fact that:
• It is likely that one or two pump stations (Main and Vacation Beach), both with a history of problems, would be utilized by MR/VG for transport of their waste to the Treatment Plant. (Description of the hookups are extremely unclear, especially if they utilize only one pump station as stated.)
• MR/VG’s role in bringing station and pipeline up to standard in order to serve a much greater load is totally undefined, especially during flood periods. (Document doesn’t say much of how the higher loadings would impact all RRCSD facilities, especially during floods. While they claim flooding won’t be a problem because of the special pipe they use, they don’t say what will happen when water inundates the plumbing of houses that flood during high waters. It’s the waters coming through the plumbing that creates much of the inundation of the system. External drains are also opened up in order to clear the properties.)
• It is our understanding that the disinfection system and the clarifiers would not have the capacity to fully treat all flows during large floods. The system is currently allowed to exceed peak flows for brief times during floods, but that still won’t provide adequate time for all treatment of MR/VG flood flows under current capacity. Wastewater discharge would need to exceed permit requirements which could and probably will result in penalties and fines. It is unknown how much current ratepayers may be affected by these additional flows. It is also unclear how you separate the flood flows of MR/VG and current ratepayers to guarantee fair distribution of costs. And who is responsible if the extra flow results in expensive pipeline breakdown? They do not address this.
• It appears that one option would have MR/VG flows utilize the same pipeline as current ratepayers, with one option hooking up to the Main Pump Station and crossing the river to the Vacation Beach Pump Station, and mixing with current rate payer flows. Then another option would use the Main Pump Station and hook up to a mysterious pipeline that has never been used and about which nothing is known. (It was put in when they installed the irrigation pipeline to the golf course.)
• They fail to describe the condition of force main under the river which has been problematic since 2014, when there was a major break.
• This ‘project description’ is extremely over-simplified and is a grossly inadequate description of the facilities necessary to implement this option.
Of course there are cost constraints to the consultant contract, and it may be that they are not required to provide detailed information that would allow meaningful cost projections. But if this is the case, they should not be projecting that this is the preferred option. In any case, this study has a long way to go before it should be used to judge and determine the preferred option. We encourage our supporters to do this:
Upcoming Board of Supervisors’ Meeting may select RRCSD as preferred MR/VG project. Please send an email to Supervisor Hopkins asking them not to make a decision until there is more information on the preferred option. Email address: Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
We do not know yet when this meeting will take place, but with the release of this document the Supervisors may soon decide as to whether to select the RRCSD as the recipient of MR/VG waste and initiate the next phase of the planning process. This option should not be selected until more information is available and ratepayers of the District. Ratepayers already pay the second highest fees in the County.
Major Guerneville property purchased by County for conservation and recreation….Because of Guerneville Forest Coalition’s (GFC) valiant effort in opposing an extensive Timber Harvest Plan, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and Russian River County Sanitation District (RRCSD), were ultimately able to purchase that 394+ acre property filled not only with a sea of redwood trees, but also home to the highest redwood tree in Sonoma County: the Clar tree. Sonoma County Water Agency will manage the land, which also contains the Russian River County Sanitation District facility and irrigation area (occupying 77 acres of the parcel). We anticipate possible future issues with managing wastewater irrigation in proximity to recreation and conservation projects. Wastewater irrigated will probably require a much higher degree of treatment and monitoring and likely also to require a large amount of additional expense. RRWPC will stay involved with the Guerneville Forest Coalition on this issue.
RRWPC needs your continued support….
Donor contributions sustain our independent river protection work. We rely exclusively on six (or fewer) mailers a year for our entire fiscal support. We can do so because we are primarily a volunteer organization. We appreciate any amount you can contribute. Donations may be sent via mailed check (with card and envelope provided) or by using PayPal at our website, www.rrwpc.org RRWPC has experienced a dearth of contributions in the last few months and with all that is happening on our local scene, we hope you will be able to support our efforts with a donation at this time. The project outlined here is going to have a major impact on our community and there is much more to tell you in future letters. When RRCSD was built, there were so many mistakes that construction costs more than doubled. We are trying to keep that from happening again. We also want to diminish their history as the worst polluter of the Russian River.