Jim Fischer (right) consulting with a client.
FISCHER COMPLIANCE, LLC is a professional environmental consulting company based in Sacramento, California. Formerly employed for decades as an official government environmental and regulatory engineer, the company Principal, Mr. James Fischer, P.E., brings unique qualifications for public agencies seeking high quality compliance assurance interpreting California water quality regulations, permits and Orders including “Sanitary Sewer System Waste Discharge Requirements” (SSS WDRs). While many consulting firms provide similar services, Fischer Compliance LLC is uniquely suited with decades of knowledge and experience as a California regulator for clients aiming to reduce violations, enforcement, and negative attention. Over 12 years as statewide lead inspector for the SSS WDRs at the State Water Board allows for quick and efficient deployment to identify violations and recommended solutions without delays.
Fischer Compliance is also an active partner providing regular ongoing SSS WDRs technical trainings for members of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (SCAP).
Learn more about Fischer Compliance's unparalleled experience and our approach to SSMP audits.
About James Fischer, P.E.
Mr. Fischer has over 33 years of professional regulatory experience in both public and private sectors. He retired from the State Water Resources Control Board as statewide lead for collection system compliance and enforcement and started Fischer Compliance, LLC in September of 2020 serving municipalities with best practice support for reducing risks, enforcement risks and optimizing compliance. Expert consulting services include Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) Audits, SSMP updates and “simulated” regulatory inspections for helping agencies meet and exceed requirements of the WDRs.
James Fischer, P.E.
Why do you need to acquire these services?
To provide a consistent, statewide regulatory approach to address sanitary sewer overflows, the State Water Board adopted Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems, Water Quality Order No. 2006-0003 (Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order) on May 2, 2006. The Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order requires public agencies that own or operate sanitary sewer systems to develop and implement sewer system management plans and report all sanitary sewer overflows to the State Water Board’s
online sanitary sewer overflow database. All public agencies including the City that own or operate a sanitary sewer system that is comprised of more than one mile of pipes or sewer lines which conveys wastewater to a publicly owned treatment facility must apply for coverage under the Sanitary Sewer Systems General Order. More detailed information on these requirements is included on the State Water Board website.
These sewer regulations require the City to conduct a bi-annual audit of the SSMP at least every 2 years and update of the entire plan at least every 5 years (see Provisions D.13(x) and D.14 contained in Order No 2006-003-DWQ).
What are the unique qualifications of Fischer Compliance LLC?
While many consulting firms provide compliance services, Fischer Compliance LLC is credentialed by the USEPA and is uniquely qualified with the technical review, evaluation compliance with SSMP Audits, and SSMP updates derived from decades of inside knowledge and experience working at the Water Boards.
This includes over 10 years as a professional engineer (P.E.) conducting 100 sewer system audits as a regulatory official supporting regional board staff throughout California. This expert knowledge, skills, and experience delineate Fischer Compliance from others for helping ensure the City strategically positions itself for reducing future violations, enforcement, and negative attention. Proprietary audit procedures developed and employed by Fischer Compliance LLC mirror procedures in use by USEPA and California Water Board inspectors, including:
- Pre-Inspection desktop data review, analysis, and conference.
- Onsite field inspection using Compliance Evaluation Inspection (CEI) procedures employed by USEPA inspectors.
- Post-Inspection data review, evaluation of SSMP implementation and best practice recommendations needed for updating SSMPs at best practice level.