Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer Moratorium
The City recently completed an assessment and CCTV analysis of the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer (KBSS) and interceptor. The assessment has determined that the Keller Beach interceptor has severe internal corrosion, sand deposits, defective laterals, buried manholes, and limited maintenance access. The current conditions indicate pipe failure is an imminent possibility that would be exacerbated by additional connections and/or increased use of the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer (KBSS). Urgency Ordinance No. 01-22 imposed an immediate 45-day moratorium on the issuance of building permits for certain development activities requiring new connections to the KBSS in order for the City to evaluate remediation options and development alternatives in lieu of connection to the KBSS.
The KBSS consists of 5,392 linear feet of 8 to 12 inch concrete-encased cast iron pipe. The pipeline, constructed in 1959, is located off Keller Beach in the San Francisco Bay and is submerged during average tides. The location of the sewer is highlighted in blue in the image below.
Access to the sanitary sewer pipeline for maintenance or repair is extremely difficult because the manholes are submerged during high tides, and vehicles cannot get within fifty feet of the pipeline due to the cliffs and private property. Access for foot traffic is also limited to public beach access and through private properties. These conditions make it difficult to get appropriate equipment in the area to maintain the pipeline.
City Council Meeting - Via Teleconference - Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 6:30 p.m
The City Council of the City of Richmond will conduct a hearing to consider an urgency ordinance to impose a 45-day moratorium on the issuance of building permits requiring new sewer connections to the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer; and, declared an urgency thereof within the Sewer Moratorium Area.
Previous Moratorium Adopted by City Council - Tuesday, January, 18, 2022
On January 18, 2022, the City Council of the City of Richmond adopted Ordinance No. 01-22 N.S. establishing a temporary moratorium on the issuance of building permits requiring sewer connections to the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer; and declaring the urgency thereof.
Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer - Additional Reports
Consultant Coastland Civil Engineering reviewed CCTV video of the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer and conducted an assessment of observed pipe conditions.