Sausalito, CA – On March 31, 2021 the City of Sausalito was notified of sewage overflowing from a manhole on Woodward Avenue, a result of roots blocking a private common sewer lateral. The wastewater spilled into a nearby creek and flowed into the City’s storm drains which empty into Richardson Bay off Liberty Ship Way. The blockage was cleared on March 31, 2021 and the overflow was stopped.
The initial estimate of total sewage lost was in excess of 1,000 gallons. Environmental Health Services (EHS) staff of Marin County’s Community Development Agency was notified of the spill and ensured the City of Sausalito posted the appropriate notification signage at the storm drain’s entry point into the bay and 100 feet up and downstream from the entry point. Water quality samples were also required to be submitted to EHS and evaluated daily to determine when the signage would be removed.
On April 8, 2021 EHS received notification that the volume of sewage lost is approximately 98,280 gallons. The City of Sausalito determined that the overflow had been occurring since March 17, 2021 and had gone unnoticed due to heavy vegetation in the area.
Initial water quality test results at the outfall of the storm drain to the bay reveal that the sewage is being diluted by additional sources of water flowing into a common storm drain catch basin. While the water samples taken from the bay were within the thresholds for two consecutive days, one recent sample collected on April 7, 2021 contained slightly elevated E. Coli.
EHS staff will continue work with the City of Sausalito to monitor additional water quality samples due to high levels of E. Coli and Enterococcus in the catch basins upstream from the bay. The signage will remain in place until it is determined that the water is safe for recreational use.
For additional information, contact Greg Pirie, Interim Deputy Director, Environmental Health Services or Pat Guasco, Sewer System Coordinator, City of Sausalito.