Central San Settles Air District Violations, Celebrates 80th With 1,500-Person 'Sewer Party'

The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District's Board of Directors moved briskly through a consent calendar, executive raises and two feel-good staff presentations at its Sept. 3 meeting — but the brief closed-session disclosure carried the heaviest regulatory weight: a settlement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District over violations at the district's sewage sludge incinerators. The board also heard how its once-a-decade community celebration pulled in 1,500 visitors and nearly 315,000 social media views.

• Board settles with Bay Area Air District over sewage sludge incinerator violations; terms undisclosed

• 80th anniversary "sewer party" draws 1,500 attendees, 275+ treatment plant tours, and a TV ad seen nearly 600,000 times

• $1.2M contract amendment advances next-generation nutrient removal technology with HDR Engineering

• 2.5% raises approved for both the General Manager and Secretary of the District

• Externship pipeline grows: 40 students from 24 schools participated; at least two are now Central San interns

Air District Settlement Resolves Incinerator Violations

The board disclosed that it approved, in a prior closed session on Aug. 20, a settlement with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to resolve violations tied to the district's sewage sludge incinerator units.

Why it matters: Sewage sludge incineration is among the most heavily regulated operations at any wastewater agency. Violations from the regional air district can carry significant fines and, if unresolved, could force operational changes to Central San's solids-handling processes.

Where things stand: President Pro Tem Barbara Hockett disclosed that "the district's board approved a settlement with the Bay Area Air District to resolve the violations pertaining to the district's sewage sludge incinerator units." No details on the dollar amount, specific violations or compliance timeline were shared in open session.

What's next: With the settlement approved, the district moves past the regulatory overhang. Residents and ratepayers will want to watch for any public filings or air district records that reveal the financial terms and whether operational changes to the incinerators are required.

1,500 Turn Out for Central San's Once-a-Decade Celebration

Central San's 80th anniversary party — dubbed the "once a decade sewer party" — was by every metric the district's largest-ever public engagement effort, according to a detailed presentation from Emily, the district's communications lead.

Why it matters: Wastewater utilities are among the least visible arms of local government. Events like this build public trust, recruit future employees and put a human face on the infrastructure that serves more than 480,000 residents.

Where things stand: The June event drew more than 1,500 attendees. Over four hours, 275-plus people toured the treatment plant across 15 guided walks, and more than 1,000 shuttle rides provided mini-tours of the facility. Staff produced nearly 50 unique social media posts that generated roughly 315,000 views — 150,000 on YouTube, 70,000 on Facebook, 47,000 on Instagram, 16,000 on LinkedIn and 33,000 on Nextdoor.

"Our customers may not remember how many gallons of wastewater we process a day," Emily said. "They may not remember the names of the bugs after they leave the lab table. But they will remember how they felt when they were with us and if they felt valued."

A TV commercial featuring district employees aired nearly 2,100 times across 31 networks, notching approximately 600,000 impressions and hitting the target demographic — homeowners, families and grandparents — at a 95% rate with an average frequency of 7.2 views per household.

The Bike Bus and the Ripple Effect

A bike bus organized by staff member Ben Lavender attracted more than 30 riders, including the executive director of the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies coalition. The concept made enough of an impression that East Bay MUD is now copying it for its own anniversary event. "East Bay MUD is copying us," Emily said. "I feel very flattered."

More than 100 employees worked the celebration. Emily singled out the Buildings and Grounds crew, noting that "the day of they worked somewhere around 12 to 13 hours," starting at 4:30 a.m. The outreach effort also included postcards, letters to elected officials, presentations at city council meetings and coordination through the Contra Costa Mayors Conference. Congressional, state, county and city officials delivered resolutions and recognitions.

Board Member Michael McGill noted that "the one thing that stuck in my mind was how much pride they exhibited and how much enthusiasm they had with the customers. That really speaks a great deal with respect to their commitment."

President Pro Tem Hockett added that the event attracted potential future employees, saying "it was so well done and so well publicized that even people who had been looking at us for a long time in terms of maybe employment came to have a closer view."

Emily noted that timing was complicated by Contra Costa Water District's own 90th anniversary, which limited Central San's social media push to only five weeks before the event to avoid public confusion between the two agencies.

Externship Program Builds Water-Industry Pipeline, but Tracking Gaps Remain

Christina, the district's workforce development lead, presented results from the sixth annual externship program, a hybrid initiative held over four days in February in partnership with Contra Costa Water District.

Why it matters: The water and wastewater industry faces a nationwide recruiting crisis as experienced workers retire faster than they can be replaced. Central San's externship is one of the few local programs actively funneling students into the field.

Where things stand: Of 166 signups from a 144-person mailing list, 40 externs attended — 17 in person — with eight completing all four sessions. Participants came from 24 schools, led by Los Medanos College (five students) and Diablo Valley College (three). Notably, 10 high school students signed up and two high school juniors participated. The program included treatment plant tours, Contra Costa Water District facility visits and virtual presentations. At least two program graduates are now Central San interns.

"We launched the program back in 2021 virtually, and since then we've hosted 192 externs in total," Christina said.

Tracking the Outcome

Board Member McGill pressed on whether the district follows participants into the workforce: "Have we tracked to see how many of our past attendees have actually gotten jobs in the wastewater or water field?" Christina acknowledged the gap: "No, I don't formally track that metric."

Board Member Jean Kuznik praised the program and expressed interest in exploring job-sharing concepts, adding that "it's just a really great program and the more I interact with young people and or their parents of college age kids, it is a message I continue to try to spread because I don't think most people are aware that it's a great opportunity."

What's next: The 2027 program will continue the hybrid format and Contra Costa Water District partnership. The board's interest in longitudinal tracking could push staff to formalize outcome metrics.

Board Raises Signal Satisfaction With Top Executives

The board approved 2.5% salary increases for the district's two highest-ranking officials without any discussion.

Secretary of the District Katherine Young received her raise through the Eleventh Amendment to her February 2018 employment agreement (For: 4, Against: 0, Absent: 1 — Board Member Florence Wedington). General Manager Roger S. Bailey received his through the Eighth Amendment to his November 2019 agreement, on the same 4-0-1 vote.

Both increases take effect Sept. 3, 2026.

Facility Naming Policy Headed to Full Board

During future agenda requests, President Pro Tem Hockett asked that Board Policy 25 — governing the naming of district facilities — be brought from the Administration Committee to the full board: "Board Policy 25. I know it went through committee, but I would love to bring it back to the board so that we could have a discussion about it."

General Manager Bailey explained that a broader procedural change is already underway. Previously, policies with no committee-level changes would simply die at the committee. Now all policies will be forwarded to the full board. Secretary Young said the item would be scheduled for a future board meeting.

Board Members Flag Industry Workforce Crisis at Conferences

Board Member McGill reported attending the Water Reuse conference in San Francisco (Aug. 24-26), an employee appreciation event and a CalAFCO ad hoc committee meeting.

President Pro Tem Hockett, who also attended the Water Reuse conference, flagged "the immense challenge in recruiting workers in the water industry," noting "a big push in Southern California to try and target high schools to introduce curriculum and exposure."

Board Member Kuznik attended the California Special Districts Association conference, covering governance, finance and workforce recruiting — in 107-degree Palm Springs heat.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 4-0 (Wedington absent), covering: approval of Aug. 20 meeting minutes; adoption of an updated salary schedule for all job classifications effective Sept. 3; Resolution No. 2026-012 declaring Sept. 21-27 Pollution Prevention Week; Resolution No. 2026-013 authorizing a real property agreement for 1960 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek; and authorization for the General Manager to amend the HDR Engineering agreement by $1.2M for densified activated sludge demonstration design under nutrient management.

• Two new employees introduced: Tarn Ghag joins as risk management specialist, bringing public sector experience from Contra Costa Health and Stanislaus County. Lindsay De Guzman, with 21 years of CAD experience most recently at Sandia National Laboratory, joins the Capital Projects Division — a timely hire as multiple CAD operators approach retirement.

• Expenditure report (June 5 – July 30, 2026) and budget-to-actual overview through June 2026 received without discussion.

• Committee minutes received from the Real Estate Environmental & Planning Committee (Aug. 12), Administration Committee (Aug. 18) and Finance Committee (Aug. 19) — no questions raised.