Administrative Civil Liability Settlement Agreement with Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority San Bernadino County
Overview
The Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) operates a wastewater treatment facility that serves the northern portion of San Bernadino County. The facility discharges to the Mojave River. VVWRA was subject to $129,000 in mandatory minimum penalties for violations of effluent limitations that took place between August 1, 2008 and September 30, 2020. VVRWA proposed to settle the matter by paying $57,000 and completing a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) for the remainder of the amount. The Lahontan Water Board's Prosecution Team agreed to this proposal and released a tentative settlement agreement for a 30-day public comment period. No comments were received.
On June 22, 2021, the Water Board’s Executive Officer signed Order No. R6V-2021-0004, accepting the tentative settlement agreement. The Order requires VVWRA to:
- pay $57,000 to the State Water Board’s Cleanup and Abatement Account; and
- complete a SEP of up to $72,000. The SEP will consist of a waiver of up to $72,000 in VVWRA connection fees associated with the SEP currently underway by the City of Victorville as part of Settlement Agreement Order No. R6V-2020-0001. The City of Victorville has established a grant program to assist property owners in the Old Town area of the City to abandon their septic tanks and connect to the City sewer system. The City’s SEP includes payment of all costs, estimated to be $26,000 per property owner. This includes payment of the VVWRA connection fee of approximately $4,000 per connection. Because VVWRA’s SEP waives the connection fees, the City’s cost will be reduced by about $4,000 per property owner, thus allowing the City to provide grants to an additional 3-5 properties. If VVWRA spends less than $72,000, then the difference shall be paid to the State Water Board’s Cleanup and Abatement Account.
