Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside Invites Local Dignitaries for Dedication Event

The directors of Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside, Granada Sanitary District and Montara Water & Sanitary District invite the community today to attend the dedication of the new underground wet weather flow retention basin located beneath the Burnham Strip in El Granada.

The event, from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, across from 525 Obispo Road in El Granada, will recognize the contributions of many who collaborated for more than a decade to achieve installing the state-of-the-art passive gravity wet weather flow retention basin known as the Wet Weather Flow Management Project (WWFMP).

The dedication will mark the commissioning of this highly anticipated coastal water quality protection facility intended to reduce potential wastewater overflows and manage peak wet weather flows carried by an 8-mile underground Intertie Pipeline System (IPS) spanning Montara to Half Moon Bay.

The event program will feature presentations by the facility’s project team highlighting its purpose, benefits, design, engineering and role in keeping beaches safe and clean for recreational use along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary on the San Mateo County coast. California Assemblymember Rich Gordon (District 21), California Assemblymember Jerry Hill (District 19) and California State Senator Leland Yee (District 8), as well as other dignitaries are expected to be in attendance during the official ribbon cutting with each delivering special commendations during the event.

The WWFMP is a major capital improvement component in SAM’s Wet Weather Flow Management Program and wastewater treatment operation. SAM, operating as a Joint Powers Authority, began installation in July 2012 at the Burnham Strip adjacent to the Portola Pump Station on Obispo Road. It was financed in partnership by Granada Sanitary District and Montara Water & Sanitary District to continue their commitment to enhancing and protecting local water quality on the San Mateo County coastside.

The WWFMP significantly advances SAM’s capacity to efficiently collect, temporarily store and manage up to 200,000 gallons of peak wet weather flows historically generated during winter rain events. Its design is the culmination of numerous evaluation and monitoring studies conducted to determine the best application of technologies which would require the least cost for maintenance, operation and energy. 

It was engineered to drain by gravity without electricity during power outages with zero emissions and minimal impact to native habitat and scenic vistas after installation. The project employed local licensed contractors and general engineering firm Stoloski & Gonzalez, Inc. of Half Moon Bay during its three-month installation.

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