East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Multi-faceted Outfall Monitoring and Inspection Program

This paper describes the proactive approach the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has taken to protect the effluent outfall (outfall) for its Main Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP). The outfall is located in an area surrounded by active construction, major freeways, and port activity, and therefore requires ongoing monitoring and regular inspections to ensure the outfall can convey effluent continuously with no damage or other impacts. Through active, ongoing coordination with the agencies and entities working in the vicinity of the outfall, and requiring any agencies or contractors to meet EBMUD’s standards for inspections and vibration monitoring, EBMUD has successfully reduced risks to the outfall, avoiding potential negative impacts. This paper focuses on the methods used to inspect and protect the outfall during the demolition of the old San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (old Bay Bridge), which is located as close as 150 meters (500 feet) from the outfall.