What is CMOM?
“CMOM” stands for Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance. A CMOM program is a framework of self-assessment and practices that help a sewer system manage, operate, and maintain their collection systems; investigate and provide adequate collection system and treatment plant capacities; and respond to and prevent unauthorized discharges such as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and other non-compliance. The CMOM program should incorporate many of the standard operation and maintenance activities that are routinely implemented by Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). An effective CMOM program should not add significant additional burden on a POTW but, by implementing a CMOM program, the POTW can move from a reactive approach to a proactive approach that results in fewer SSOs, improved wastewater treatment, and less expense.
The goals of a comprehensive CMOM program are:
- To better manage, operate, and maintain the collection system;
- Investigate capacity constrained areas of the collection system and treatment plant;
- Proactively prevent or minimize unauthorized discharges;
- Respond to overflow events and other non-compliance; and
- Proactively prevent or minimize the potential for the release of pollutants from associated activities through treatment plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from storage areas.
Specific CMOM programs may address budgeting, staffing, training, public education, inventory, preventive maintenance and cleaning, rehabilitation, overflow response, fats, oils and grease, backup power, root control, and system capacity. POTWs can conduct a self-assessment to determine which specific CMOM programs are appropriate for their sewer system, and determine the status of programs that may already exist or will need to be developed.
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