Saturday, February 7, 2015

Wastewater retention basin coming soon to Linda Mar area


Pacifica Tribune, 1/21/15.  My Turn by City Council Member Mike O'Neill 

....  "The collection system pipes converge near Hwy. 1, where underground pumps are employed to pump the effluent up to the Calera Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) in the quarry. A problem may arise because the WWTP, which handles about 2.5 million gallons of waste water on an average day but has the capacity to handle a flow rate of 20 million gallons per day, may be forced to deal with a flow rate of over 20 million gallons for a 17 hour period. Many millions of those gallons are excess rainwater being pumped up from Linda Mar. The amount of actual sewage requiring processing doesn't vary much whether there's sunshine or torrential rain outside, so there is no question that much of the problem is with the excess rainfall and groundwater finding its way into the collection system.

Sure you may park on top of the wastewater retention basin
There are plans for rebuilding the waste water collection system which includes something called a "retention basin" next to the existing pumps at Linda Mar. It pretty much describes itself, in that it's an extremely large underground tank. For most of the year, the pumps would operate just as they do now, but on any day in which there is torrential rain, there would be the option of diverting some of the water to the retention basin, so that the waste water treatment plant doesn't become overwhelmed. The retention basin can be emptied when the storm flow has died down and the WWTP can cope. As mentioned, it would be an underground tank, just as invisible as the existing pumps, and because it would be a closed system there would no more danger of smells and airborne pollutants than there is with the existing pumps. 
Retention Basins are a proven technology, widely used in San Francisco, Daly City and in other Bay Area Cities. As with the retention basins in those other cities, it's anticipated that ours would only be used a few times a year, and only during major storms, until the overflow can be safely pumped to the WWTP to be processed.

The Retention Basin will need to be located in the front of Linda Mar in order to be near the Linda Mar pump station. The Retention Basin is in the long term financial plan for the Wastewater System with requests for bids to be prepared in 2015. ...  "    Read more.
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Related -  NPCA (Precast Inc. Magazine, 9/8/11). "Precast provides responsible stormwater solutions." ".... Modern, paved-over urban landscapes prevent rainwater absorption and force runoff into antiquated infrastructure. Storms overwhelm inadequate sewer and wastewater treatment facilities, resulting in hundreds of billions of gallons of sewage polluting North American streams, rivers and lakes every year."  Note graphic from this related Precast Inc. article. 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a well worked over marvel of sugarcoated double-speak delivered by messenger boy Mike O'Neill. Dubious honor, Mike. Did someone tell you that you were The Great Communicator? When sea breezes carry that familiar sewage stench inland through LM and Park Pacifica shall we call it a "Mikey"? What kind of air freshener will Kimco opt for? Make it industrial strength for our shopping and dining pleasure, would ya?? Good luck to nearby residents because your quality of life is about to take, to be crude, a dump. Sewage Holding Tank on prime real estate? You're in Pacifica, baby! And do we have to buy this parcel? What's wrong with the city-owned land behind the comm center? It's not that far away from the pumps?
Hey, at least it isn't housing or that awful revenue-producing development stuff. Hallelujah, we've been saved! Again. I feel all better.

Kathy Meeh said...

151, a wastewater overflow basin is long overdue in Linda Mar area, and hopefully it will be located in a best possible location, rather than on "prime real estate" property (your comment).

The article is informative, and some of us appreciate knowing this project is moving forward. Meantime have a good "sour grapes" day 'ol anonymous one. Big thanks to Councilmember Mike O'Neill for taking the time to write this article!

Anonymous said...

First of all the city doesn't even have approval from Caltrans for this hare brained idea. Anything to please the hippies and noobees. A nice mixed use property on this parcel makes the most sense so lets put a poop pit on this highly valuable piece of real estate.

O'Neill is another empty chair on city council.

Kathy Meeh said...

320, if the City is preparing for contractor bids to build the storm flow retention basin, they would probably workout agreements and planning in advance. Don't you think so?

"... used a few times a year, and only during major storms.." is now highlighted in the article-- just for you.

Anonymous said...

Where to put the poop has always brought out the best minds in city hall. Enviro merit badge for ya if you can find a spot for the poop and at the same time save prime real estate from future development. Take inspiration from the WWTP in the quarry. It's how we roll in Pacifica.

Anonymous said...

Kathy

Did you forget this is Pacifica, and they do everything ass backwards?

Anonymous said...

Amen 7:34! Will this fly with the Coastal Commission?. Will neighbors and visitors tolerate the construction impacts?

Kathy Meeh said...

734, ah but we are doing this backwards, following several years of Clean Water Act fines, and a big corrective lawsuit from Our Children's Earth Foundation (filed 11/3/09), pdf pages 13.

Anonymous said...

But "Sneaky" Pete claimed it was only tar balls on the beach!

Kathy Meeh said...

935, funny. Environmental NIMBIES interfered with and ultimately ruined the structural balance and integrity (potential) of this city, and they think that's just fine. Some of us observe, their ongoing "perfect" outcome is frustrating, inadequate, and expensive.