ITEM: 7
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN FOR THE LOS ANGELES REGION REVISING SURFACE WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR CHLORIDES AND INCORPORATING A REVISED POLICY FOR ADDRESSING LEVELS OF CHLORIDE IN DISCHARGES OF WASTEWATER
DISCUSSION: The Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan) was adopted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) on June13,1994, and approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on November17,1994 and by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on February 23, 1995. On January 27,1997, the LARWQCB adopted Resolution No. 97-02 (Attachment 1) amending the Basin Plan by: (1) revising chloride objectives for certain water body segments in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds, 2) establishing a variance procedure and interim chloride limits for existing dischargers in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds, and (3) establishing a procedure to assess chloride loading and effect protection of the agricultural beneficial use in the Santa Clara River and CalleguasCreek watersheds. Technical information used in developing the proposed Basin Plan amendment is summarized in Attachment 2.
The 1975 Basin Plan established chloride objectives at background concentrations for the Los Angeles Region (Region). At the time, the LARWQCB assumed that chloride concentrations in imported surface waters would continue to remain relatively low. Since 1975, however, chloride concentrations in imported supply waters have fluctuated, with a net increase over time. The most apparent reason for chloride compliance problems in the 1980s was drought conditions, which prevailed in the Region and many of the watersheds that were sources of imported water to the Region.
In response to these conditions, the LARWQCB adopted Resolution No. 90-04: "Effects of Drought Induced Water Supply Changes and Water Conservation Measures on Compliance with Waste Discharge Requirements within the Los Angeles Region" (Drought Policy). This policy provided temporary relief to dischargers by raising chloride limits in waste discharge requirements to the lesser of: 1) 250 milligrams/liter (mg/l), or (2) the chloride concentration in the water supply plus 85mg/l. These temporary limits were applied to dischargers whose water supply had high concentrations of chlorides due solely to the increased mineralization of supply waters imported to the Region. The Drought Policy expired on February 27,1997, and the proposed Basin Plan amendment was adopted as a long term solution to chloride compliance problems.
In order to develop a long term solution, LARWQCB staff worked with a group of technical advisers representing a variety of interests, including: water supply, reclamation, and wastewater management agencies; environmental management and protection; and water softener associations. Chloride objectives for certain water body segments in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds were revised based on the lower of: (1) levels required to protect beneficial uses or (2) chloride levels in supply waters imported into the Region plus a chloride loading factor of 85 mg/l. The revised chloride objectives satisfy the requirements of SWRCB Resolution No. 68-16 by not unreasonably affecting existing and anticipated beneficial uses and providing maximum benefit to the people of the State.
Chloride water quality objectives in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds were not revised due to concerns about the impact on the agricultural beneficial use of an objective based on the chloride concentrations of imported water. Compliance problems were addressed by providing interim relief (variances) to nine publicly-owned treatment works (POTW), discharging to designated stream segments of the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek, for a period of three years. During this period, the LARWQCB is required to work with local water and wastewater agencies, the agricultural community, and other interested parties to: (1) clarify the chloride objectives necessary to protect the agricultural beneficial use, (2) assess significant sources of chloride loading, and (3) identify cost-effective methods to protect existing beneficial uses, contingent on the results of the chloride assessment.
Attachment A to LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02 lists the POTWs granted a variance under this amendment. Listed among these dischargers is the Santa Paula Wastewater Reclamation Facility (SPWRF) which discharges to the Santa Clara River. Retaining the SPWRF on the list is not appropriate because the facility does not discharge into those water body segments of the Santa Clara River subject to the interim chloride limits.
POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB approve LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02 amending the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region?
FISCAL IMPACT: LARWQCB and SWRCB staff work associated with or resulting from this action can be accommodated within budgeted resources.
RWQCB IMPACT: Yes, LARWQCB.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB:
1. Approve, subject to the modification in paragraph 2, below, LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02 amending the Basin Plan by: (1) revising chloride objectives for certain water body segments in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds, (2) establishing a variance procedure and interim chloride limits for specified POTWs discharging into the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek, and (3) establishing a procedure to assess chloride loading and effect protection of the agricultural beneficial use in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds.
2. Remove the Santa Paula Wastewater Facility from the list of POTWs subject to the proposed variance on chloride limits (Attachment A to LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02) and any reference thereto in the proposed text of the Basin Plan.
3. Authorize staff to submit the approved Basin Plan amendment to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and regulatory provisions to the OAL for approval.
Note: SDRWQCB Resolution No. 97-04 is not available electronically. For copies, contact:
Steve Fagundes, Division of Water Quality, SWRCB, P.O. Box 944213/Sacramento, CA 94244-2130, (916) 657-0914 or FAX (916) 654-8375
SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 DRAFT
WHEREAS:
1. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) adopted a revised Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Basin (Basin Plan) on September 8,1994.
2. On January 27, 1997, following a public hearing, the LARWQCB adopted Resolution No. 97-02 (Attachment 1) which amended the Basin Plan by: (1) revising chloride objectives for certain water body segments in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds, (2) establishing a variance procedure and interim chloride limits for specified existing dischargers in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds, and (3) establishing a procedure to assess chloride loading and effect protection of the agricultural beneficial use in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds.
3. Attachment A to LARWQCB Resolution 97-02 lists nine publicly-owned treatment works (POTW) granted a variance under this resolution, and includes on this list the Santa Paula Wastewater Reclamation Facility, which discharges to the Santa Clara River.
4. Retention of the Santa Paula Wastewater Reclamation Facility on the list of POTWs subject to the interim chloride limits (Attachment A to Resolution No. 97-02) is not appropriate because the facility does not discharge into those water body segments of the Santa Clara River subject to the interim chloride limits.
5. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) finds that the proposed Basin Plan amendment complies with requirements of SWRCB Resolution No. 68-16 (Statement of Policy with Respect to Maintaining High Quality of Waters in California).
6. The LARWQCB staff prepared documents and followed procedures satisfying environmental documentation requirements in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and other State laws and regulations.
7. Basin Plan revisions and amendments do not become effective until approved by the SWRCB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and until regulatory provisions are approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The SWRCB:
1. Approves, subject to the modification in paragraph 2, below, LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02 amending the Basin Plan by: (1) revising chloride objectives for certain water body segments in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds, (2) establishing a variance procedure and interim chloride limits for specified POTWs discharging into the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek, and (3) establishing a procedure to assess chloride loading and effect protection of the agricultural beneficial use in the Santa Clara River and Calleguas Creek watersheds.
2. Removes the Santa Paula Wastewater Facility from the list of POTWs subject to the proposed variance on chloride limits (Attachment A to LARWQCB Resolution No. 97-02) and any reference thereto in the proposed text of the Basin Plan.
3. Authorizes SWRCB staff to submit the approved Basin Plan amendment to the U.S. EPA and regulatory provisions to OAL for approval.
The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on October 23, 1997.
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board