State Water Board adopts changes to administrator policy handbook to enable sewer-system administrators under AB 805

The State Water Resources Control Board on Jan. 22 adopted revisions to its administrator policy handbook to implement authorities in Assembly Bill 805 that allow the board to designate temporary administrators for inadequate sewer systems.

Staff said the amendment adds criteria, processes and an implementation pathway so the sewer administrator process follows the existing approach used for drinking water systems. "With the passage of Assembly Bill 805 ... the state water board is authorized until January 1, 2029 to require a designated sewer system to contract with an administrator designated by the state water board," James Garrett, senior water resource control engineer, told the board during a staff presentation.

The board adopted the updated handbook and an accompanying order authorizing the executive director or a designee to take the steps necessary to implement Water Code section 13289.5. The board also directed staff to present a summary of lessons learned and any potential handbook changes after the first use of the sewer-administrator authority and to provide at least 30 days notice and public comment before proposing further handbook changes.

Why it matters: The change gives staff a temporary, limited tool to address failing sewer systems that are harming public health or the…