Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District


Latest Update – December 7, 2022

District Seeking Applicants for Board Vacancy

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District is seeking applicants for appointment to fill a vacancy on its Board of Directors, and encourages interested community members to apply. The vacancy will be filled by appointment of the District’s Board of Directors. A signed hard copy of the completed application must be physically received by District administrative staff by 3:00 PM, Friday, January 6, 2023, at the District Office, 101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 300, San Rafael, CA 94903. The District is not accepting emailed applications. Click here for more information and the application. Read the news release here.

REVISED: Closure of Access Rd. and Rec. Area Parking Lot Scheduled

The access road (including turn-outs) and the reclamation area parking lot closure has been RESCHEDULED to be closed to the public from Monday, December 12 through Friday, December 16, to accommodate truck traffic and equipment staging during final paving of the rebuilt portions of the treatment plant. 

This schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

The closures will begin at 6 am. Please note that the first two days will be 24-hour closures (from 6 am Monday until 5:30 pm Tuesday); then, Wednesday through Friday the area will be closed at 6 am and reopen to the public at 5:30 pm. Please check this web page for updates.

Thank you for your patience, and we apologize for any inconvenience or disruption experienced as a result of temporary closures as the final paving work is completed on the facility upgrade project.

Levee Repair/Trail Closure Postponed

The levee repair work and trail closure scheduled to start this week has been postponed due to predicted weather conditions. This work will be rescheduled, and an update will be posted here as soon as a new start date is determined. In the meantime, the levee trail will remain open as usual.

We are saddened to announce that Board President Judy Schriebman passed away on November 20. The entire District staff and Judy’s colleagues on the Board offer their thoughts, prayers, and support to her family.

Judy was a dedicated and steadfast representative on the District Board of Directors for 15 years. First elected in 2007, she served on the Board continuously through her most recent re-election in 2020, and was selected by her colleagues on the Board to serve as President in 2011, 2016, and 2022.

Judy’s commitment to the District’s mission and values was unparalleled, and her devotion to serving the community, both as a Board member and in her personal life, was extraordinary. She was recently nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Heart of Marin Awards, in honor of her outstanding efforts and the positive differences she has made in the community. She made a remarkable, positive difference here at the District and for her constituents, as well.

Judy’s leadership, work ethic, and friendship will be greatly missed by all of us here at the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District.


OTHER UPDATES

  • Click on the headlines for more information

  • Low Income Assistance Program Can Help Customers in Need

    We understand that any Sewer Service Charge increases could be a concern for some customers. A new Low-Income Sewer Rate Assistance Program was developed to help low- and fixed-income customers by providing 10% reduction for qualifying residential ratepayers. More information about this program and applications can be found here.

  • Message: California Regional Water Quality Control Board, SF Bay Region

    California Regional Water Quality Control BoardThis is a message from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (2).

    The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board will accept written comments on the draft Notice of Applicability for Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District enrollment under the General Waste Discharge Requirements for the Discharge of Biosolids to Land for Use as a Soil Amendment in Agricultural Activities (Order No. 2004-0012-DWQ). Enrollment will conditionally authorize the land application of biosolids, generated from the Discharger’s wastewater treatment plant at 300 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael, in Marin County, to agricultural areas on District property.

    The draft Notice of Applicability and associated draft Monitoring and Reporting Program are available for review at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/public_notices/#Waste

    To be considered, comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 10, 2022. If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact Rashid Kaveh by email to Rashid.Kaveh.@waterboards.ca.gov

  • New Employment Opportunities

    See Employment Opportunities

  • WARNING! Do Not Flush Disposable Wipes

    This can cause sewer overflows in your home or neighborhood!

    • ONLY toilet paper should be flushed. Disposable baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, or any other paper product besides toilet paper SHOULD NOT BE FLUSHED.
    • Even if labeled “flushable” – they are NOT. They will likely result in a blockage of your sewer lateral and/or the public sewer main serving your neighborhood, and can disrupt wastewater treatment plant processes.
    • YOU can help protect public health and the environment – do not flush disposable wipes.
    • Click here for more information on what NOT to flush, and what NOT to put down the drain!

    Thank you!!

  • COVID-19

    • Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical need to minimize exposure, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District has closed its administrative offices (101 Lucas Valley Road, Suite 300, San Rafael) and plant offices (300 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael) to the public until further notice. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.
    • Information on COVID-19 from Marin County
    • During the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, Sewer Lateral Inspection Report submittals may be made electronically
    • We will do our best to meet your needs, but turnaround times are not guaranteed under the current circumstances. Please contact the District Offices at 415-472-1734 for additional information.
    • Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District COVID-19 Prevention Plan (pdf)

  • New Sewer Lateral Ordinance – Forms and Instructions for Inspection

    Helps reduce sewer spills, protects the environment, and improves treatment plant efficiency

  • $62 Million Dollar Secondary Treatment Plant Upgrade & Recycled Water Expansion Project

  • Current LGVSD Board Meeting Agendas

    Regular December 15, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda (pdf)

  • Heron Newsletter

    Click here to read the Heron Newsletter PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTION TO THE PRIVATE SEWER LATERAL LINE PICTURE ON PAGE 3

Sanitary Districts of Marin Outreach Videos

  • Flushable Wipes aren’t Flushable

  • Don’t Flush your Meds

  • Wipes and COVID

  • Fats, Oil and Grease

  • Sewer Spills


GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICES
The District will hold a Public Hearing on the Garbage and Refuse Rate for 2023 and Ordinance 190 on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 4:00 PM via Zoom Electronic meeting.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING-
RESOLUTION ADOPTING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND APPROVING ENERGY SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENERGY RELATED IMPROVEMENTS TO DISTRICT FACILITIES WITH FFP BTM SOLAR, LLC (D.B.A. FOREFRONT POWER)

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors shall hold a public hearing on January 5, 2023 for the purposes of presenting certain findings, taking public comment, and approving a Resolution adopting the findings and approving an Energy Services Contract with FFP BTM Solar, LLC (D.B.A. ForeFront Power) for the implementation of certain energy related improvements to District facilities in accordance with California Government Code Section 4217.10 to 4217.18. The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors’ findings shall provide, and Energy Services Contract shall require that the cost to the District to implement the energy related improvements will be less than the anticipated marginal cost to the District of thermal, electrical, or other energy that would have been consumed by the District in absence of purchasing the energy improvements.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING-
ADOPT CERTAIN FINDINGS AND APPROVE A FINANCE AGREEMENT, AND RELATED LOAN DOCUMENTS, WITH FFP BTM SOLAR, LLC (D.B.A. FOREFRONT POWER) TO FUND ENERGY RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AT DISTRICT FACILITIES

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Board of Directors shall hold a public hearing on January 5, 2023 for the purposes of taking public comment, adopting the findings and approving a Finance Agreement and related necessary loan documents with FFP BTM Solar, LLC (D.B.A. ForeFront Power) to fund the implementation of certain energy conservation improvements to District facilities in accordance with California Government Code Section 4217.10 to 4217.18.

Request for Proposal: Sewer User Charge Cost for Service and Rate Study

The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a sewer user charge cost of service and rate study.  The purpose of the study is to assess and evaluate the District’s existing rate structure and rate policies, review current methodology, and make recommendations for potential alternative methods if needed. The broader objective of the study is to provide the necessary information and analysis to the District’s Board of Directors for it to set rates and a rate structure to adequately fund the operating, capital costs and debt service associated with the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater for the next four years. The study is to include an equitable review of the additional sewer service surcharges imposed on two communities, Captain’s Cove and Marin Lagoon, due to the disproportionate number of pump stations in these two areas.

Proposals deadline is 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023.


Fun, Informative Videos

  • Click on the headlines for more information

  • Where Does It Go?

    Ever wonder what happens to wastewater when it leaves your home?

  • Water, Too Good to Waste

  • Advanced Purified Recycled Water Taste Test

    This video offers an interesting, fun comparison of advanced purified recycled water with bottled and tap water. Some facilities, such as the Orange County plant featured here, take treated recycled water and put it through a three-step advanced purification process resulting in water that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. While the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District produces high-quality recycled water, it is not put through this advanced purification process; rather, it is treated to a level suitable for non-potable uses such as dust control, commercial laundries, construction, and toilet flushing, among other such uses.

  • Birds at Las Gallinas' Reclamation Area

    Birds of Las Gallinas Marsh, filmed by Jeffery Martin. Click here for more wildlife information.

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