Mission Statement

Learn About the Sewer Pipeline Upgrade

Department Description and Purpose

The primary responsibility of the Collections Department is to maintain the integrity of the District’s collection system, which consists of approximately 271 miles of sanitary sewer lines, 5,993 maintenance holes, 117 special structures, 12 pump stations, and several inverted siphons. The Collections crew cleans and video inspects over 1.5 million feet of sewer lines each year, and maintains records of sewer line condition. The crew partners with Engineering to establish repair and replacement priorities, and handling investigation, regulatory reporting, and claims for sewer overflows.

Staffing

Seven authorized positions for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025.

Lead Workers

Collection System Workers

Please remember:

• Crews will only access your property if the District has an easement and they need to service the sewer line.
• Collections staff will never ask to come into your home for any reason.
• Collections crews drive District vehicles, wear uniforms, and carry identification at all times.

10-Year Strategic Goals

• Zero lost time accidents in all years and zero “reportable injury” years (3 out 10 years).
• Zero collection system overflows.
• Maintain compliance with all SSMP and CIWQS reporting requirements.
• Stay current on emerging regulations, key regulatory contacts.
• Build field GIS infrastructure, provide GIS access to key collection personnel.
• Measure customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

Performance Measures and Results

Through continuous sewer line cleaning and digital video inspections, the Collections Department achieved:

• A yearly combined cleaning and inspection total of 1.6 million feet of sewer line.
• A reduction in collection system service calls from 260 in 2000 to 87 in 2025.
• A continued reduction in stoppages, from 15 in 2000 to 4 in 2022, 4 in 2023, and 2 in 2025.
• Maintenance of a high-performing system with a spill rate of less than one per 100 miles per year.
• Multiple prestigious awards from the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), including “Collections System of the Year – San Francisco Bay Section” in the 250–500 miles category (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2010, 2013, and 2022), “Collections Supervisor of the Year” (2005), and statewide “Collections System of the Year” awards in 2000, 2004, 2010, and 2013.
• Consistent management of departmental expenses within budget.
• An average response time of 30 minutes or less for all service calls during and after business hours.