LARWQCB Basin Plan

Water Quality Control Plan: Los Angeles Region Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

The Los Angeles Regional Board's Basin Plan is designed to preserve and enhance water quality and protect the beneficial uses of all regional waters. Specifically, the Basin Plan (i) designates beneficial uses for surface and ground waters, (ii) sets narrative and numerical objectives that must be attained or maintained to protect the designated beneficial uses and conform to the state's antidegradation policy, and (iii) describes implementation programs to protect all waters in the Region. In addition, the Basin Plan incorporates (by reference) all applicable State and Regional Board plans and policies and other pertinent water quality policies and regulations. Those of other agencies are referenced in appropriate sections throughout the Basin Plan.

The Basin Plan is a resource for the Regional Board and others who use water and/or discharge wastewater in the Los Angeles Region. Other agencies and organizations involved in environmental permitting and resource management activities also use the Basin Plan. Finally the Basin Plan provides valuable information to the public about local water quality issues.

The Basin Plan is reviewed and updated as necessary. Following adoption by the Regional Board, the Basin Plan and subsequent amendments are subject to approval by the State Board, the State Office of Administrative Law (OAL), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

new itemProposed Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region to Establish a Site-Specific Water Quality Objective for Chloride in Reach 6 of the Los Angeles River

new itemConsideration to Update Freshwater Ammonia Objectives Based on U.S. EPA 2013 Freshwater Ammonia Criteria

Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plans of Los Angeles Region to update freshwater ammonia objectives based on U.S. EPA 2013 freshwater ammonia criteria

new item2023-2025 Triennial Review

  • Notice of Data Solicitation for the 2023-2025 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards
    in the Los Angeles Region

Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plans of Los Angeles Region to incorporate Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions and to Administratively Update Chapter 2 “Beneficial Uses”

Notice of Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plans of Los Angeles Region to incorporate Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions and to Administratively Update Chapter 2 “Beneficial Uses”

2020-2022 Triennial Review

Notice of Availability of Additional Documents for the November 12, 2020 Hearing on the 2020-2022 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards for the Los Angeles Region (November 2, 2020).

Notice of Public Hearing on the 2020-2022 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards for the Los Angeles Region (September 4, 2020) Notice of Data Solicitation for the 2020-2022 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards in the Los Angeles Region

Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan) to Update the Bacteria Objectives for Fresh, Estuarine and Marine Waters Designated for Water Contact Recreation, based on the Statewide Bacteria Provisions

Proposed Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Basin Plan) to Update the Bacteria Objectives for Fresh, Estuarine and Marine Waters Designated for Water Contact Recreation, based on the Statewide Bacteria Provisions

new itemNotice of Availability of Additional Documents for the February 13, 2020 Board Hearing on the Proposed Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (Blasin Plan) to Update the Bacteria Objectives for Fresh, Estuarine and Marine Waters Designated for Water Contact Recreation, based on the Statewide Bacteria Provisions

Implementation Considerations for the Application of EPA’s 2007 Aquatic Life Freshwater Quality Criteria for Copper in the Los Angeles Region

Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region to Administratively Update Chapter 4 “Strategic Planning and Implementation” and Chapter 5 “Plans and Policies”

2017-2019 Triennial Review

Notice of Availability of Additional Documents for the May 10, 2018 Board Consideration of a List of Basin Planning Projects for the 2017-2019 Triennial Review Resolution (April 30, 2018)

Posted March 5, 2018

Notice of 2017-2019 Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards in the Los Angeles Region (November 6, 2017)

2014-2016 Triennial Review


Resolution No. R14-003 to reconsider Table 4-zz of Resolution No. R4-2009-007, Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Prohibiting On-site Wastewater Disposal Systems in the Malibu Civic Center Area (January 23, 2015)

Comment period ends 5:00 pm, December 30, 2013

Additional Documents for the Tentative Resolution Retaining the Current Recreational Beneficial Use Designations of the Engineered Channels of the Los Angeles River Watershed (Posted November 24, 2014)

Tentative Resolution Retaining the Current Recreational Beneficial Use Designations of the Engineered Channels of the Los Angeles River Watershed (Posted October 6, 2014)

Recreational Use Re-evaluation (RECUR) in the Engineered Channels of the Los Angeles River Watershed


Additional Documents for Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendment to the Basin Plan to Administratively Update Chapter 1: "Introduction", Chapter 5: "Plans and Policies", and Chapter 6: "Monitoring and Assessment" of the Basin Plan (September 2, 2014)

Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendment to the Basin Plan to Administratively Update Chapter 1: "Introduction", Chapter 5: "Plans and Policies", and Chapter 6: "Monitoring and Assessment" of the Basin Plan (June 19, 2014)

Additional Documents for the Proposed Amendment to the Basin Plan to Incorporate the Statewide Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (April 30, 2014)

Proposed Amendment to the Basin Plan to Incorporate the Statewide Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (February 27, 2014)

Other Additional Documents for the Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendment to the Basin Plan to Administratively Update Chapter 3: "Water Quality Objectives" by Incorporating Previously Adopted Amendments and Updated Tables (posted on May 1, 2013)


Additional Documents for the Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendment to the Basin Plan to Administratively Update Chapter 3: "Water Quality Objectives" by Incorporating Previously Adopted Amendments and Updated Tables (posted on April 19, 2013)


Proposed Non-Regulatory Amendment to the Basin Plan to Administratively Update Chapter 3: "Water Quality Objectives" by Incorporating Previously Adopted Amendments and Updated Tables


Regional Water Board Assistance in Guiding Salt and Nutrient Management Plan Development in the Los Angeles Region (Posted March 9, 2012)

Basin Plan Amendments:

2011 - 2013 Triennial Review

Revised Documents

Final Documents




  • Prohibition -  On-Site Wastewater Disposal Systems (OWDSs) in the Malibu  Civic Center Area (posted December 2009)

      • On November 5, 2009, the Regional Board adopted a resolution to prohibit on-site wastewater disposal systems (septic systems) in the Malibu Civic Center area.  The prohibition applies to all dischargers in the Civic Center area, including commercial and industrial facilities, public facilities, and residences. New septic discharges are no longer allowed and existing commercial and industrial dischargers and public facilities must cease discharge by November 2015 and residences by November 2019.  To view the map delineating the prohibition area, click here.


      To view the presentation given on November 5, 2009 Board Hearing, click here.

      Resolution to prohibit On-Site Wastewater Disposal Systems (OWDSs) and to certify the environmental staff report with substitute environmental documentation, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
             Final Resolution
            

      Technical and Environmental Staff Reports

      Technical Staff Report (Overview) presenting evidence in support of an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Coastal Watershed of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties to prohibit OWDSs in the Malibu civic Center including the following memoranda.

      Technical Staff Report (Overview)
            Final Staff Report

      Technical Memo No. 1 – Dischargers Have Poor Record of Compliance with Regional Board Orders.
            Final Tech Memo # 1

      Technical Memo No. 2 – Pathogens and Nitrogen in Wastewater Impair Underlying Groundwater as a Potential Source of Drinking Water.
            Final Tech Memo # 2

      Technical Memo No. 3 – Pathogens in Wastewater that are in Hydraulic Connection with Beaches Represent a Source of Impairment for Water Contact Recreation.
             Final Tech Memo # 3 and Peer Reviews
             

      Technical Memo No. 4 – Nitrogen Loads from Wastewater Flowing to Malibu Lagoon are a Significant Source of Impairment to Aquatic Life.
            Final Tech Memo # 4 and Peer Reviews
           

      Technical Memo. 5 – Dischargers with Unsuitable Hydrogeologic Condition for High Flows of Wastewaters Resort to hauling Liquid Sewage and Sludge to Communities that have Sewer and Wastewater Facilities.
            Final Tech Memo # 5

      Environmental Staff Report in support of an Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, including substitute environmental documentation pursuant to CEQA and Porter-Cologne.
            Final Environmental Staff Report

    Electronic Versions

    • Electronic version of the Basin Plan for the Coastal Watersheds of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

      • Amendments to Water Quality Standards (WQS) - Click here for detailed information on amendments to water quality standards and implementation provisions contained in the Los Angeles Regional Board's Basin Plan. Detailed information, including approvals, is available for Basin Plan amendments adopted by the Regional Board since 1994.

    • Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) - Click here for detailed information on TMDLs applicable to waters in the Los Angeles Region, including EPA established TMDL's. 

      (Page last updated 3/30/24)

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