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Albany adopts 2026 Sewer System Management Plan to keep pace with consent-decree requirements
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Summary
Council unanimously adopted Resolution 26‑09 approving the 2026 Sewer System Management Plan after staff described regulatory obligations under WDR and a multijurisdictional consent decree; staff said rehabilitation and operating programs have reduced sewer overflows and average pipe age has decreased.
Albany City Council on Feb. 17 adopted Resolution 26‑09 approving the 2026 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP), the guiding document for the city's sewer operations and capital program.
Public works staff explained that Albany operates about 33 miles of sewer mains, most installed in the early 20th century, and that the city operates under both statewide Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) and a multijurisdictional consent decree with East Bay MUD and seven satellite agencies. The consent decree requires intermediate check-ins; staff noted Albany met the 2022 reduction targets and will face a 2030 check-in that will be more challenging as low-hanging improvements are exhausted.
James Cirelli, who led the capital update, said the city's CIP and rehabilitation work has substantially renewed the collection system: “We've replaced around 3 quarters of the system over the past 30 years,” he said, and the average pipe age has declined to roughly 25 years. Staff reported that SSOs and the volume of overflow have trended down and that the operating program emphasizes cleaning, CCTV inspection and targeted repairs to keep mainline overflows rare.
Council members asked technical questions about how Albany participates with East Bay MUD and other agencies under the consent decree; staff said all seven satellite agencies and East Bay MUD have individual requirements and collective check-ins intended to confirm inflow and infiltration reductions across the system.
After discussion, Council member Jordan moved adoption of Resolution 26‑09; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously on roll call.
Staff said the next steps include continuing the CIP and completing the sewer master plan update and a sewer-rate study to fund required capital and operating work. The 2030 consent‑decree check-in will require three years of monitoring and may necessitate additional rehabilitation, storage or other measures depending on monitoring results.
