The Ross Valley Sanitary District made significant strides in emergency preparedness during its recent meeting on March 20, 2024. A key highlight was the completion of updated Spill Emergency Response Plans (SERP), which are crucial for managing potential spills at the district's 19 pump stations. This comprehensive document, spanning approximately 750 pages, details step-by-step procedures for emergency operations, ensuring staff can respond effectively in critical situations.

The plans, developed with input from former staff member Noel, are now accessible online for employees, allowing them to quickly retrieve necessary information during emergencies. This initiative aims to enhance operational readiness, especially as the district prepares to integrate three new pump stations in the near future.

In addition to emergency planning, the meeting addressed ongoing training for new staff members. A recent planned outage at Pump Station 31 through 36 provided a valuable training opportunity, allowing newer employees to familiarize themselves with equipment and standard operating procedures in a real-world context.

The district also reported progress in maintenance efforts, including the successful relocation of 29 previously lost nodes, which are essential for system inspections and repairs. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve asset management and ensure accessibility for maintenance crews.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing its emergency response capabilities and maintaining infrastructure integrity, setting a proactive tone for future operations.