Sanitation district reports drop in sewer overflows, cites FOG inspection gains and plans enforcement ordinance

Associate Civil Engineer Patrick Krogan told the Seaside County Sanitation District on April 14 that inspections and extra flushing have contributed to a declining trend in sanitary sewer overflows.

Krogan said district staff performed 34 regularly scheduled FOG (fats, oils and grease) inspections in the quarter and found no locations over the 25% accumulated FOG limit. "We had 1 spill in 2025, which we're hoping to keep that record up," Krogan said, pointing to a 10-year overflow graph that shows a falling trend.

Krogan reported 169 facilities currently registered in the district's FOG program; 165 of those are food-service establishments such as restaurants, hotels and schools. He said 30 facilities are listed as out of compliance: 21 for not submitting the most recent cleaning record and 9 for previously failed inspections. "For the facilities that are listed as out of compliance, 21 are due to a lack of the most recent cleaning record," Krogan said. He added that inspectors often collect hard-copy records on site.

Board members pressed staff for details on inspection counts and priorities. Board member Bresson asked why the staff report referenced both 165 food-service establishments and 169 facilities and a larger figure of 285 routine inspections per year; Krogan explained the 285 number includes mandatory self-inspections, facilities that require biannual checks and other scheduling differences. "A significant number of our facilities are actually on self inspection, which is included in that 285 number," Krogan said.

On enforcement, Krogan said the district's system flags businesses that fail to submit records and that inspectors will follow up; district staff can involve city code enforcement when code violations are found. He also said the SCSD currently has no authority to levy fines for FOG noncompliance but that the district is "planning to add that with an upcoming ordinance." The board asked staff to evaluate incentives or policy changes to encourage timely submittal of self-inspection records.

The board moved to accept the FOG inspection and annual reporting update and voted to approve the staff recommendation. Members said staff should continue scheduled inspections, reinspect failed facilities and continue flushing and maintenance work to reduce spills.

The Seaside County Sanitation District will report further progress at future meetings and pursue the ordinance change to add enforcement tools.