Newsletter – April 2019, Volume 2
Reminder: Upcoming Public Meetings on the Wastewater Treatment Plant
San Mateo residents are invited to attend two upcoming meetings to learn more about the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion Project, which is anticipated to begin construction this summer.
- Monday, April 15: 7 p.m. City Council, Public Hearing on Wastewater Treatment Plant Planning Application Modifications, Council Chambers, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo
- Thursday, May 2: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wastewater Treatment Plant Neighborhood Meeting, LEAD Elementary School, LGI Room, 949 Ocean View Avenue, San Mateo. At this meeting, Clean Water Program staff will provide a brief informational presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Improving Your Sewer System: Community Meetings
We want to hear from you! As part of the Clean Water Program, City of San Mateo Public Works staff are proposing a revision to the City’s Sewer Lateral Ordinance. Residents are invited to one of two community meetings; Thursday, April 25 from 6-8 p.m. at the Senior Center at 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas, or Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m.-noon at Beresford Recreation Center, 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas.
At each meeting, staff will present three options for a potential revision to the ordinance. Feedback from these community meetings will inform the proposal to the May 20 City Council Study Session meeting.
For more information, please click here.
Reminder: May 7 Deadline for Public Comments on the Underground Flow Equalization System Environmental Report
The public is invited to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Underground Flow Equalization System, formerly called the In-System Storage Facility. This project is part of the City’s 10-year program to improve and repair the aging sewer collection and treatment system, and prevent sewer system overflows during heavy rains that threaten the health of city streets, beaches, and waterways, including the San Francisco Bay. The project would be located in the eastern portion of the San Mateo County Event Center Parking Lot.
The Draft EIR is available for public download and review at here.
Hard copies are available at City Hall, the San Mateo Main Library, and the Hillsdale Branch of the San Mateo Public Library.
A hearing and opportunity for verbal comments was provided at the April 9, 2019 Planning Commission meeting. The project is currently under review by City Planning for a Special Use Permit, which also was discussed at the April 9 meeting.
The deadline to submit comments on the Draft EIR is May 7, 2019.
How to submit comments:
- Write to: City of San Mateo Public Works Engineering, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, Attention: Clean Water Program
- Email: info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org
For more information on the Special Use Permit, please click here.
42nd Ave Pump Station Rehabilitation Complete!
Rehabilitation of the 42nd Avenue Pump Station is considered complete as of Friday, April 12, 2019. This high-priority work is a critical project to help ensure that the existing collection system components continue to function optimally.
The project consisted of three elements: 1) rehabilitation of an underground pump station, 2) replacement of underground electrical conduit, and 3) installation of a new, above-ground standby generator.
Underground Pump Station Rehabilitation
Pump stations are a necessary component of the wastewater collection infrastructure. These pumps keep water moving upward from underground pipes and ultimately to the wastewater treatment plant. Over time, underground pump stations corrode and break down, potentially leading to failure resulting in the sewer overflows we are trying to prevent. The rehabilitation included repairing pipes and valves, as well as recoating the existing wet well and underground vaults. The project also included replacing electrical and instrumentation controls, constructing remote motor control center and transfer switch, and installing new valve access hatches.
Underground Electrical Conduit
Aging and deteriorating electrical conduit was replaced along El Camino Real from 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue for the new backup generator across 43rd Avenue. New electrical conduit also was installed along El Camino Real from the pump station and across 43rd Avenue to the new above-ground generator. This work included excavation of existing material, installation of new conduit, backfilling, and final paving.
New Above-Ground Standby Generator
Standby generators automatically come online during outages so that pumps continue to keep wastewater flowing through the collection system. A more compact, diesel-powered standby generator and fuel tank have replaced the aging standby generator. This was more cost-effective and efficient than maintaining the previous generator with available parts. A new generator pad area was constructed, as well as a remote motor control center and transfer switch. The new system includes new switch gear, batteries, and battery chargers.
Work To Begin on State Street in Early May
Crews will begin work in early May on State Street between Highland Avenue and El Camino Real. This project involves the installation of nearly 2,600 feet of new 15-inch diversion pipe.
This project is one in a series that is intended to increase sewer pipe capacity to manage high flows from heavy storms, to help prevent sewer overflows, and to help meet regulatory requirements.
Using hydraulic modeling technology, our engineers identified the need for a new diversion pipe extending from El Camino Real, down State St, then down Highland Ave to Poplar Ave. This upgrade was found to be the most cost-effective solution, and one that minimized disruptions to the community.
For more information, please visit here.