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RVSD describes king‑tide spills, staff response and planned upgrades to reduce future overflows
Summary
GM Steve and operations staff reported king‑tide-related sewer surcharges and localized spills during Jan. 1–6; pre-deployment and pumping ahead saved an estimated 13,500 gallons on one day. District plans force-main upgrades in 2027 and gravity sewer improvements in 2027–28 to reduce future spill risk.
Ross Valley Sanitary District staff told the board that a combination of heavy rains and king tides around New Year’s caused localized sewer surcharge and small spills in the Riviera Circle/Larkspur Marina area.
General Manager Steve said staff pre-positioned crews and equipment, used smart cover monitoring and, on one day, “saved 13,500 gallons from spilling” by pumping down ahead of the peak tide. On other days crews recovered or mitigated thousands of gallons; total spill volumes were described as "a couple thousand gallons" on the larger events.
Staff noted a contributing factor was an HOA-operated lagoon drainage gate and a construction bulkhead that limited natural drainage at the lagoon; coordination with the HOA and city on gate operation will be part of corrective actions. The district also deployed vacuum trucks and supplemental pumping to limit overflows.
For long-term mitigation the GM said the capital improvement program includes a force-main capacity increase planned for 2027 and a 2027–28 gravity sewer upgrade to raise inverts and potentially remove up to four pump stations in the most affected area.
The board praised staff for their 24/7 response over the holidays and for documentation and reporting that met state deadlines. Staff said they plan to present a fuller after-action report next month with more precise spill volumes and recommended infrastructure changes.
