MSR Process

LAFCO Municipal Service Review (MSR) process for the Sanitary Sewer System

Welcome to the City of East Palo Alto’s page dedicated to providing background and history on the City’s efforts to address the East Palo Alto Sanitary District’s inadequate sewer infrastructure that cannot accommodate economic development projects vital to the quality of life of our residents. These projects range from single accessory dwelling units (in-law units) proposed by current East Palo Alto property owners and larger proposals that would benefit current East Palo Alto residents including affordable housing, a health care clinic, and a job training facility.

EPASD was formed in 1939 as an independent special district to provide sewer service to replace septic systems in the unincorporated area that is now the City of East Palo Alto and a portion of Menlo Park. The City of East Palo Alto incorporated in 1983 and several special districts including EPASD remained intact. Since incorporation, the City has since become successor to the County-governed water, storm drain and street lighting districts and has integrated these services into the Public Works Department.

The chronology below, complete with links to meetings, the LAFCo Municipal Service Review (MSR), and correspondence provides an overview of the City’s efforts to advance economic development proposals to the benefit of our residents. These efforts include a series of five meetings of the Joint East Palo Alto & East Palo Alto Sanitary District Intergovernmental Committee (August, 2020 to October, 2020). And, following an impasse in this effort, cooperation with San Mateo LAFCo in preparation of an MSR of the City of East Palo Alto, East Palo Alto Sanitary District and West Bay Sanitary District.

This comprehensive report commissioned by LAFCo examines all three entities regarding several areas including fiscal health, ability to provide services, accountability and transparency and governance alternatives. One of many recommendations in the MSR is that the City of East Palo Alto consider establishing EPASD as a subsidiary district of the City and assume operation of the system and implement infrastructure improvements to allow the system to accommodate growth. Because the City and EPASD represent and serve primarily city residents and businesses, it is important for the Council to engage property owners, residents, business owners and other stakeholders in considering the LAFCo recommendation. This page will be updated regularly allow interest parties to stay up to date on Council meetings and reports.

The final report can be found here.