Agenda Item 5 W8/97

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

WORKSHOP SESSION--DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY

AUGUST 6, 1997

ITEM: 5

SUBJECT: CITY OF SANTA ROSA DAIRY WASTE CONTROL PROGRAM

DIS-

CUSSION:

The City of Santa Rosa (City) provides reclaimed water from its subregional wastewater treatment facility (Laguna Treatment Plant) to 70 cooperating users for irrigation of over 5,700 acres. Approximately 75 percent of reclaimed water use is on pasture, hay, and silage for dairy operations.

Runoff from local dairies has the potential to pollute receiving waters in this area. The Laguna de Santa Rosa is designated as an impaired water body primarily due to nonpoint source pollution by livestock waste. Management and disposal of dairy waste can be expensive, and one of the 20 dairies receiving reclaimed water from the City has ceased business due to the high cost of pollution control facilities.

It is in the best interest of the City to keep the dairy operations in business. Toward this end, the City is participating in demonstration projects for dairy waste management. They have received two Section 319(h) grants for this purpose. In addition, they have created a $2 million revolving fund loan program which provides zero interest loans for twenty years for on-farm dairy waste management facilities.

POLICY

ISSUE:
This is an information item only. The SWRCB will not be asked to make a decision at this time.

FISCAL

IMPACT:

None at this time.

RWQCB

IMPACT:
N/A

ITEM:	5
SUBJECT:	CITY OF SANTA ROSA DAIRY WASTE CONTROL PROGRAM
DIS- CUSSION:	The City of Santa Rosa (City) provides reclaimed water from its subregional wastewater treatment facility (Laguna Treatment Plant) to 70 cooperating users for irrigation of over 5,700 acres. Approximately 75 percent of reclaimed water use is on pasture, hay, and silage for dairy operations. Runoff from local dairies has the potential to pollute receiving waters in this area. The Laguna de Santa Rosa is designated as an impaired water body primarily due to nonpoint source pollution by livestock waste. Management and disposal of dairy waste can be expensive, and one of the 20 dairies receiving reclaimed water from the City has ceased business due to the high cost of pollution control facilities. It is in the best interest of the City to keep the dairy operations in business. Toward this end, the City is participating in demonstration projects for dairy waste management. They have received two Section 319(h) grants for this purpose. In addition, they have created a $2 million revolving fund loan program which provides zero interest loans for twenty years for on-farm dairy waste management facilities.
POLICY ISSUE:	This is an information item only. The SWRCB will not be asked to make a decision at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT:	None at this time.
RWQCB IMPACT:	N/A