Sanitary Sewer Overflow

Wondering what is a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) and who to call if you spot one? Let's break it down!

An SSO happens when untreated or partially treated wastewater overflow from a sanitary sewer system. These overflows can contain harmful substances like pathogens, pollutants, and oils, which can impact water quality and public health. To tackle this issue, public agencies, like OC San, are required to develop a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) and report SSOs to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

The Sanitary Sewer System Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) is a statewide regulation by the SWRCB aimed at addressing SSOs. It mandates public agencies that manage sewer systems to create and execute sewer system management plans and report all SSOs to SWRCB’s online database.

OC San's SSMP outlines strategies for managing our wastewater collection system effectively, including reducing overflows and maintaining infrastructure. We also work closely with regulatory bodies and the community to ensure transparency and address concerns promptly.