That the Utility Authority:
A.  Approve and authorize the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with EEC Environmental of Orange, California, in the amount of $39,425 to provide Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control program services; and,

B.  Authorize staff to issue a purchase order to EEC Environmental in the amount of $39,425 for FOG control program services.

The La Habra Utility Authority's Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program was developed to prevent FOG-related sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), as required by the State Water Resources Control Board's Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems, Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ.

FOG-related SSOs are usually attributable to cooking grease in wastewater discharged from Food Service Establishments (FSEs), multi-family housing units, and single-family homes that create FOG (or grease) blockages in sanitary sewer systems. These grease blockages, located in either the property owner's privately owned sewer lateral or in the Authority's public sewer system, lead to SSOs, which can cause untreated sewage to spill out onto streets and travel to storm drains, creeks, and other surface waters. Untreated sewage poses an obvious health risk and if sewage reaches the ocean, it often results in coastal contamination, beach closures, and associated potential human health risks.

To help mitigate FOG-related discharges and meet regulatory compliance, staff recommends utilizing the services provided by EEC Environmental to inspect grease removal equipment throughout the City and to conduct kitchen "best management practices" (BMPs) inspections at FSEs. If approved by City Council to provide such services, EEC Environmental will prepare inspection findings and provide follow-up to those FSEs that are found to be non-compliant. Staff recommends waiving bidding requirements and renewing an agreement with EEC Environmental due to their instrumental role in the Authority's development of a FOG Control Program, for continuity in performing FSE inspections for the Authority, and to continue conducting routine audits of the Authority's Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP).

There is no impact to the General Fund. The Utility Authority has sufficient resources within its Sewer Operations and Maintenance Budget to fund the $39,425 cost for the FOG control program services.