AWWA ACE58158

During the past decade or so, Sacramento County has evolved from a quiet state capital surrounded by an agricultural economy to a vibrant regional economy that is experiencing explosive growth fueled by a growing diverse economic base and relatively affordable housing (particularly when compared to the San Francisco Bay Area two hours down the road). This growth has created many opportunities and advantages for the citizens of the County, and many challenges for those who are in the business of providing infrastructure to support this growth. Sacramento County generates an average of 165 million gallons of sewerage everyday. That flow is conveyed to the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant located in the southern portion of the County through an extensive collection and interceptor system. With high rates of growth projected to continue in the region for many years to come and an aging sewer system, hundreds of millions of dollars in capital projects are needed over the next ten years. This infrastructure investment is actually greater than the investment in the original county-wide system. Prior to 2001, the Water Quality business unit was part of the larger District Engineering Department. This department included responsibility for wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water supply, drainage, and solid waste collection and disposal. The Water Quality Division Chief was responsible for oversight of both the collection system and the treatment plant. The treatment plant had a Plant Manager, but the collection system staff reported directly to the Water Quality Division Chief. This structure limited the attention that the collection system received at a time of unprecedented challenges. In addition to the growth, recognition of coming regulatory attention on collection systems contributed to the need for organizational change. Includes 3 references, figures.