According to a report from City staff, there is an average of 15.45 claims made each year for private property damaged from blockages in the sewer mains operated by Richmond Municipal Sewer District. The total cost of claims since July 2000 is $2,238,301, including $80, 316 in legal fees, enough to construct or replace over four miles of new sewer mains.

 

The largest claim paid during this time went to Team Construction, owner of a building in Point Richmond, for nearly $800,000, more than the replacement cost of the building. The second largest went to Penny Turner, wife of former City Manager Isiah Turner and owner of a building in downtown Richmond.

 

The average annual cost of these claims is $461,000, and although the number of annual claims appears to be rising, average cost per claim is going down, reflecting quicker and more effective response than in the past. Previously, City crews responded to blockages; now it is Veolia (formerly U.S. Filter, which also operates the wastewater treatment plant). The two most recent claims resulted from towels and grease blocking sewer mains. The City Council finally adopted last month an ordinance requiring installation, maintenance and regular inspection of grease traps in restaurants.

 

In addition to property damage claims, the City routinely pays fines for overflows into San Francisco Bay waters.

 

What can you do? Press “reply to all” and urge your City Council members to take action IMMEDIATELY to repair the sewage collection system and adopt an ordinance requiring inspection and replacement of leaking sewer laterals.