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 environment, particularly systems that serve disadvantaged communities, while staff continues work toward a statewide wastewater needs assessment and longer-term funding strategies.

Key details from the handbook changes

- Three criteria for finding a sewer service inadequate were added. Two are mandatory: (1) the system serves a disadvantaged community, and (2) the system has a demonstrated history of failures to meet regulatory standards for wastewater collection, treatment or disposal. A third is optional and may include documented infrastructure failure, insufficient capacity, or deficiencies in technical, managerial or financial capacity that are likely to cause violations.

- The handbook distinguishes provisions that apply only to drinking water administrators and those that apply only to sewer administrators (for example, the new sewer-specific inadequacy criteria).

- Staff may use funds from the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account to provide grants to sewer-system administrators for specified uses under AB 805, and the authority to appoint administrators under the bill is temporary (through Jan. 1, 2029).

Public comments and local examples

Multiple community groups and wastewater-sector associations spoke during public comment in support of the handbook changes while urging further refinements and community engagement. Jared Voskuil of CASA (California Association of Sanitation Agencies) urged that the handbook reflect the statutory language that an administrator be “competent and willing,” and asked staff to ensure handbook qualifications mirror the statute.

Maricela Maris Alatorre, community solutions advocate with Community Water Center, described long-standing sewer failures in the Easter Rosie Community Services District (EOCSD) in the Central Valley, saying residents have experienced raw sewage in yards, extended office closures that left bills unissued for months, large retroactive bills that residents dispute, and limited district responsiveness. "Easter Rosie is in need of a competent wastewater administrator who will be responsive when residents have these issues," she said.

Debbie Mackey of the Central Valley Clean Water Association and Jahadi Garcia of Community Water Center similarly urged robust community engagement and clarity about how sewer and septic interfaces will be handled in consolidated or assisted projects.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members emphasized both the urgency for communities that have sought help for years and the need for continued stakeholder input. Board member Charis Cavel (identified during the meeting as advocating for expedited help in some communities) and others noted the importance of balancing expediency for communities asking for assistance with opportunities for broader public review for future uses of the authority.

Staff said 16 drinking-water systems have been designated previously; 15 have received funding and the 16th funding is being executed. With the handbook amendment, staff will follow an implementation path mirroring drinking-water administrator appointments, present lessons learned after the first sewer-administrator appointment, and keep stakeholders informed before subsequent appointments.

Quotes

"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 said during the presentation.

"Easter Rosie is in need of a competent wastewater administrator who will be responsive when residents have these issues," Maricela Maris Alatorre said in public comment.

Ending

The board voted unanimously to adopt the amended handbook and associated actions. Staff will post the revised policy to the State Water Board website, begin implementation steps, and report back to the board after the first appointment about lessons learned and any recommended handbook adjustments.