Plan Contents
• Water Quality Monitoring – Key Elements
• Water Sampling - Protocol o Notification to Contractor o Sampling Parameters o Sampling Locations o Sampling Procedure o Results
o Conditions to Stop Monitoring
June 2013 Basin Plan
• Water Analyses - Protocol o Laboratory Analyses
o Maintenance and Calibration of Monitoring Instruments and Devices
• Reporting Requirements
Note: Anything in a light green box outlines information that is specific to one of the three sewer collection systems that UC Berkeley manages:
• UC Berkeley CS (UCB) – WDID: 2SSO10210
• UC Berkeley – Berkeley Global Campus at Richmond Bay CS (BGC) – WDID:
2SSO10210
• University Village Albany CS (UVA) – WDID: 2SSO10210
Water Quality Monitoring – Key Elements
• Trigger for Sampling. Water quality sampling must be performed for sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that are 50,000 gallons or greater and reach surface water. In addition, water quality sampling will be performed for SSOs under 50,000 gallons to assess the impacts to surface water when the spill shows an observable influence (example: odors, discoloration, steam, etc.) and the spill remains on UC Berkeley property for the 48-hour window for sampling after the SSO notification.
o For 50,000+ gallons: In the case where the source of the SSO has been stopped and the entire SSO has migrated off UC Berkeley property, sampling must be coordinated with the downstream agency.
o Less than 50,000 gallons: If a significant rainfall event (> 0.25 inches in 24 hours) has flushed the creek with storm water adequately to remove all deposited sewage. No water quality monitoring is needed.
• Safety and Access. Water quality sampling should only be performed if it is safe to do so and access to the surface water is not restricted. Unsafe conditions include, but are not limited to, visibility, heavy wind or rains, slippery and/or steep riverbanks, etc. When sampling is not
Overflow Emergency Response Plan (OERP)
possible, details of the situation will be recorded in the certified Category 1 SSO Report and the SSO Technical Report (for spills above 50,000 gallons) submitted to the CIWQS Online SSO Database.
• Who Collects the Sample. EH&S will call a sampling contractor to collect the sample.
• When to Sample. Sampling must be performed (when and if it is safe to do so) within 48 hours of UC Berkeley becoming aware of the SSO.
• Where to Sample. Sampling should account for spill travel time in surface water (see Sample Collection Procedure below).
• Required Water Quality Analyses. Analyze for ammonia, dissolved oxygen, total and fecal coliform, temperature, and pH. The bacterial indicators should be analyzed per the RWQCB Basin Plan (see Sampling Parameters below).
• Optional Follow-Up Monitoring. It may be appropriate to conduct additional monitoring by sampling and/or visual inspection, depending on the original monitoring results. For example, if an impact from the SSO is observed, follow-up monitoring could be conducted until the water body has reverted to an estimated baseline condition. Follow-up monitoring will also be
conducted in communication with the downstream sanitary sewer agencies and the downstream Environmental Health Divisions.
Water Quality Sampling – Protocol
Notification to Contractor
Once EH&S is notified of a sewage release to surface water, EH&S will immediately notify one of the contractors below to collect samples.
CERCO Analytical, Inc.
Name of Contact
Emergency Contact Numbers
Office Cell Home
Darlene Langford (925) 462-2771 (925) 998-4412 (707) 745-6487 Cheryl McMillen (925) 462-2771 (925) 963-5201 (925) 439-0817 Michael McMillen (925) 462-2771 (925) 998-5917 (925) 439-0817 Ron Langford (925) 462-2771 (925) 998-7356 (707) 745-6487
Tetra Tech
Name of Contact
Emergency Contact Numbers
Office Cell Home
Jason Brodersen (510) 302-6300 (415) 497-9060 -
Sampling Parameters
• Ammonia
• Total and Fecal Coliform
• pH (field)
• Temperature (field)
• Dissolved Oxygen (field)
Sampling Locations:
• “Upstream” of SSO
• Immediate vicinity where SSO enters water body (“source”)
• “Downstream” of SSO
Sample Collection Procedure:
Below is the recommended sample collection procedure that has been provided to our contractors. A contractor may use an equivalent procedure to assess impacts to the creek as long as the minimum number of samples is taken from the stated sampling locations and the required analyses are conducted.
Procedures may slightly diverge from this standard procedure if sampling locations are past UC Berkeley property. The contractor is expected to submit their final procedure if it differs from the written procedure below.
1. Obtain appropriate sampling equipment and containers.
2. Determine the point that the SSO entered waterway and photograph this location (include a reference point in the photo). Note: EH&S will provide as much information about this location prior to the contractor’s arrival.
3. If sampling is performed after the SSO has stopped, estimate the SSO travel time. This may be done by observing or dropping floatable debris in the surface water and timing how long it takes to travel over a measured distance (e.g., 100 feet). Include sections in the surface water where there are bends, bottlenecks, or other characteristics that may slow down the flow. If the first measurement is uncertain, this time estimate may be performed three to five times, and the values average to determine the estimated travel time. The velocity in the upper portion of the water body can then be calculated by dividing the measured distance by the average time.
An alternative way to measure the SSO travel time is to use a velocity probe (such as a
Overflow Emergency Response Plan (OERP)
4. Determine the “source” location for water quality sampling by accounting for SSO travel time.
a. If the SSO is occurring, the “source” location is the point where the SSO is entering the waterway.
b. If the SSO has stopped, calculate the approximate downstream distance from the original SSO location by dividing the time since the SSO occurred by the estimated velocity. This is the approximate downstream distance from the SSO discharge point to the “source” sampling location.
i. If this distance is beyond our property, EH&S will coordinate with the downstream sanitary sewer agency for sampling.
▪ UCB: Contact City of Berkeley Environmental Health Department at (510) 981-5310
▪ BGC: Contact City of Richmond – Municipal Sewer District, Chad Davisson, General Manager at (510) 620-5486 (office) or (510) 459-1175 (cell)
▪ UVA: Contact City of Albany Public Works at (510) 524-9543
Due to the possible tidal action in the surface water and other factors, another method may be used to determine the “source” location at the discretion of the Legally Responsible Official (LRO) or the Director of Environment, Health & Safety.
5. Put on safety gloves and safety glasses.
6. Upstream Sample Collection: Collect the upstream samples first. Move approximately one hundred feet (100’) upstream of Source location. Label each of the sample bottles marked
“Upstream A”, “Upstream B”, and “Upstream C” with the date and time.
a. Take a photo of the sample location, including a reference point in the photo.
b. Fill the three labelled bottles against the direction of the water flow. Collect samples well away from the bank, preferably at a point where water is visibly flowing. Avoid sampling debris or scrum layer from the surface.
c. Use the thermometer to measure the temperature of the “Upstream C” sample three times and record the results.
d. Place each sample in the cooler after collection.
Source Sample Collection: Collect the “source” samples next. Move approximately ten feet (10’) downstream of the Source location. Label each one of the sample bottles marked
“Source A”, “Source B”, and “Source C” with the date and time.
a. Take a photo of the sample location, including a reference point in the photo.
b. Fill the three labeled bottles against the direction of the water flow. Collect samples well away from the bank, preferably at a point where water is visibly flowing. Avoid sampling debris or scum layer from the surface.
c. Use the thermometer to measure the temperature of the “Source C” sample three times and record the results.
d. Place each sample in the cooler after collection.
Downstream Sample Collection: Lastly, collect the downstream sample. Move one hundred feet (100’) downstream of the source location. Label each one of the sample bottles marked
“Downstream A”, “Downstream B”, and “Downstream C” with the date and time.
a. Take a photo of the sample location, including a reference point in the photo.
b. Fill the three labeled bottles against the direction of the water flow. Collect samples well away from the bank, preferably at a point where water is visibly flowing. Avoid sampling debris or scum layer from the surface.
c. Use the thermometer to measure the temperature of the “Downstream C” sample three times and record the results.
d. Place each sample in the cooler after collection.
7. Record all sample information.
8. Transport the cooler containing the samples and the completed documentation to a laboratory as soon as possible after the first sample collection. The parameter with the shortest holding time is bacteria at 8 hours (from sample collection to beginning of analysis), but sample analysis should begin as soon as possible after sample collection.
Conditions to Stop Monitoring
After the analyses have been performed (see “Water Quality Analyses Protocols” below) and the results have been reviewed and finalized, consult with the appropriate Environmental Health Division (either City of Richmond, City of Berkeley or City of Albany).
As soon the appropriate City’s Environmental Health Division (depending on where the SSO occur) is satisfied with the results, monitoring for this SSO may stop. If Environmental health Division is not satisfied, the contractor is to repeat the Sample Collection Procedure steps (or equivalent) until the Environmental Health Division deems that it is not a risk to public health.
Water Quality Analyses – Protocol
Laboratory Analyses:
CERCO Analytical, Inc.
Overflow Emergency Response Plan (OERP)
CERCO Analytical, Inc. is accredited by the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).
Their certification number is 2153. The methods will be performed as follows:
Parameter Standard Method
Ammonia SM 4500-NH3D
Dissolved Oxygen SM4500-O G
Temperature SM2550B
pH SM4500-H+B
Total Coliform Bacteria and Fecal Coliform SM 9221B & E
Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech will choose a laboratory from their current pool. Below is a list of their current laboratories they contract with and their certification numbers.
Name of Laboratory Certification Number
Accutest Laboratories 8258
BioVir Laboratories 1795
Maintenance and Calibration of Monitoring Instruments and Devices:
All laboratory monitoring instruments and devices used for water quality analyses are maintained and calibrated by the contractor.
Reporting Requirements
The EH&S Environmental Specialist is responsible for submitting water quality monitoring information with the certified Category 1 SSO report in the CIWQS Online SSO Database, which must be submitted within 15 calendar days of the SSO end date.
The EH&S Environmental Specialist is responsible for submitting information related to the Technical Report (for spills 50,000 gallons or greater) in the CIWQS Online SSO Database, which must be done within 45 calendar days of the SSO end date. The SSO Technical Report must include the following water quality monitoring information:
• Description of all water quality sampling activities conducted
• Analytical results and evaluation of the results
• Detailed location map showing all water quality sampling points
Overflow Emergency Response Plan (OERP)