What is the primary purpose of a sewer system management plan (SSMP)?

The primary purpose of a sewer system management plan (SSMP) is to ensure the effective management, operation, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system. This comprehensive approach involves establishing practices that address the system's capacity, integrity, and efficiency, ensuring that wastewater is collected and transported safely to treatment facilities. The SSMP outlines policies and procedures for managing the sewer system, including preventive maintenance, emergency response, and training for personnel, all of which contribute to minimizing sanitary sewer overflows and maintaining regulatory compliance.

While conducting annual inspections, educating residents, and monitoring weather impacts may be components of a broader management strategy, they are supportive activities rather than the central focus of the SSMP. The plan is fundamentally about ensuring that the infrastructure is effectively maintained and operated to safeguard public health and the environment.