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1. What is this issue about?

Treating the wastewater that comes through our plant and preventing pollution from flowing through Vallejo’s storm drains to the Bay is a complex and important job; one we are proud to have done for more than 65 years. Looking ahead, our priorities are to replace aging sewer infrastructure and meet emerging regulatory requirements while being as efficient as possible with your sewer rate investment. 

2. Why is this important?

A significant part of the sewer treatment process is reaching the end of its useful life, and capital investments are necessary to protect the health and property of all Vallejo residents. You expect reliable service from us, and we deliver. 

3. Why is this a health and safety issue?

By law and for the health and safety of our residents, the District is required to comply with the proper treatment of wastewater—or run the risk of expensive state or federal fines or lawsuits. If raw sewage spills onto land or into water, it can present a health risk to our communities and pollute our lakes and waterways.

4. What are you doing about this?

The District has worked closely with independent experts to prepare updated sewer rates to address aging infrastructure in a fair and equitable manner. Single family residential rates will continue to be a flat rate as detailed on the table. If enacted, this would adjust the existing rate and is not a new tax. All ratepayers will have an opportunity to learn more about the proposed increases at public meetings and a public hearing.

5. What about ratepayers who can't afford this increase?

Any ratepayer who qualifies as low-income under PG&E’s CARE program and applies to our Reduced Rate Program will be eligible for rate discounts. 

6. How do I know that funds will be spent responsibly?

The District prides itself on its award-winning financial management practices and its transparency and stewardship of taxpayer dollars.  Delaying necessary infrastructure upgrades and repairs only increases their cost in the long-term, which is fiscally irresponsible. All funds will continue to be subject to annual independent audits. 

7. What kinds of improvements does the District plan to make?

Ratepayers fund critical sewer infrastructure projects. Over the next five years, we anticipate upgrades and replacement rehabilitation to nearly every aspect of conveyance and treatment: 

Treatment Plant: Strategic and prioritized replacement of aging assets which are at risk of critical failure are needed, as well as improvements that address regulatory compliance. More than $45M is needed over the next 10 years, primarily focused on electrical systems, major piping, and treatment processes. Regulatory compliance improvements are estimated at over $120M in plant improvement work over the next 20 years. 

Sewer Pipes and Lift Stations: Approximately 100 miles of the sewer system is more than 70 years old. Over $15M is planned for rehabilitation and replacement of deteriorated sewer pipes over the next 10 years; critical capacity increases of over $10M are needed to reduce blended effluent discharges, and more than $10M in essential improvements are required on several mainland sewer lift stations. 

Solids Handling: Essential improvements are needed for upgrading the solids process to meet regulatory requirements and improve operations. 

Tubbs Island: Over $10M will be used to improve the District’s solids processing operations at Tubbs Island, including levee improvements that also address the effects of sea level rise. 

8. My house/family is a lot smaller than my neighbors, so why are we being charged the same amount?

Residential rates are a flat rate. Non-Residential rates are based on Winter Quarter Average water consumption usage provided by the City of Vallejo Water Department.  There is no meter or measurement of sewer usage for residential customers, so we cannot bill based on that. The rate is based on the overall infrastructure and services available to the property and not by size of home or occupancy. 

9. How do these rates compare to others nearby?