HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 Board Orientation Book.0209 Orange County Sanitation District
Board of Directors
Orientation Handbook
February 2009
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW
Welcometo OCSD.......................................................................................................... 1
ServiceArea Map............................................................................................................3
Board of Directors-Contact List.....................................................................................4
Key Staff-Contact List 5
OrganizationalChart........................................................................................................6
STRATEGIC PLANNING
5 Year Strategic Plan.............................................................................................. (1-35)
WASTEWATER PROCESS
Illustration of Treatment Process.....................................................................................7
Wastewater Process Overview........................................................................................8
Mapsof Plants 1 & 2 .....................................................................................................21
DEPARTMENTS AND KEY ISSUES
Department Overview—General Manager's Office.......................................................23
Department Overview—Engineering ............................................................................24
Key Issue—Capital Improvement Program. 25
Key Issue—Santa Ana River Interceptor......................................................................27
Department Overview—Operations&Maintenance 29
Key Issue—Chemical Supplies.....................................................................................31
Department Overview—Technical Services.................................................................33
Key Issue—Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change.....................................................35
Key Issue—Central Power Generation Engines...........................................................37
Department Overview—Administrative Services. 39
Key Issue—Financial Issues Impacting OCSD and its Ratepayers..............................40
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Government Affairs Overview........................................................................................42
Legislative Platform&Goals.........................................................................................43
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
Public Information Office Overview...............................................................................53
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS............................................................................................i
GLOSSARY v
Welcome to the Orange County Sanitation District
M
The Orange County Sanitation District can trace its roots back to July 1954 by assuming the
functions of the Orange County regional sewerage system from a Joint Outfall Sewer
organization that included eight cities in Orange County.Throughout the years, additional cities
and special districts were added.To streamline governance structure, the agency consolidated
in July 1998 and changed its name to the Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD) following
the passage of special legislation.
Today, OCSD is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors representing 21 cities, three
special districts and a representative from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.A staff of
more than 640 employees serve approximately 2.5 million customers throughout Orange
County.
The Board of Directors set policies for OCSD and is augmented by a Steering Committee and
two standing committees: the Operations Committee and the Administration Committee.
Periodically, special Ad Hoc Committees may be appointed on an as-needed basis to address
specific issues.
Our agency is regulated by our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ocean
discharge permit, which sets limits on what can safely be released through a 120-inch ocean
outfall off the coast of Huntington Beach. It also describes other terms and conditions that
must be consistently achieved with our treatment process and management plans.
The NPDES permit was renewed in 2004 by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and expires in 2009.These agencies
issued the NPDES permit in full accordance with all applicable provisions of the Federal Clean
Water Act and the California Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters. It is through this
permit that OCSD plans and manages the collection, treatment, and release of more than 220
million gallons of wastewater a day.
As incoming Board members, it is important to note that for many years, OCSD operated under
a modified permit issued pursuant to Section 301(h) of the Federal Clean Water Act
amendments of 1977. It allowed qualified wastewater treatment plants employing rigorous
pretreatment and extensive ocean monitoring programs to release less than full secondary
treated wastewater into deep ocean waters. Responding to public input received during the
Page 1
development of our permit renewal application,the Board of Directors made the voluntary
decision in July 2002 to have our ocean discharge meet the full secondary treatment standards.
We are currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation and expansion of our facilities to comply
with those standards.The projects will be completed in 2012-creating a period of time when
we will technically be out of compliance with the Clean Water Act requirements. Without a
consent decree,we could face significant daily penalties until the project's completion.The
voluntary consent decree that we entered into shelters us from these penalties during
construction while simultaneously ensuring the continued protection of our local waters.
The consent decree sets interim effluent limits, deadlines for completion of new secondary
treatment facilities at both treatment plants, and regular reporting of progress.
Page 2
OCSD Service Area and Treatment Plant Locations
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Page 3
Board of Directors — February 2009 MM
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Chair: Doug Davert
Vice Chair: Larry Crandall
Agency/Cities Active Director Alternate Director City Hall
Anaheim Harry Sidhu Lucille Kring (714) 765-5247
Brea Roy Moore Ron Garcia (714)990-7600
Buena Park Patsy Marshall Fred Smith (714) 562-3500
Cypress Phil Luebben Prakash Narain (714) 229-6699
Fountain Valley Larry Crandall Steve Nagel (714) 593-4403
Fullerton Sharon Quirk Pam Keller (714) 738-6300
Garden Grove Bill Dalton Steve Jones (714) 741-5000
Huntington Beach Keith Bohr Don Hansen (714) 536-5594
Irvine Christina Shea Steven Choi (949) 724-6000
La Habra Tom Beamish Rose Espinoza (562)905-9700
La Palma Mark Waldman Henry Chareon (714) 690-3300
Los Alamitos Troy Edgar Ken Stephens (310)431-3538
Newport Beach Don Webb Leslie Daigle (949) 644-3309
Orange Jon Dumitru Denis Bilodeau (714) 744-2201
Placentia Constance Underhill Joseph Aguirre (714)993-8117
Santa Ana Sal Tinajero David Benavides (714) 647-6900
Seal Beach Charles Antos Gordon Shanks (562)431-2527
Stanton David Shawver Carol Warren (714) 379-9222
Tustin Doug Davert John Nielson (714) 573-3010
Villa Park Brad Reese Bill Mac Aloney (714) 998-1500
Yorba Linda John Anderson Jim Winder (714)961-7100
Sanitary Water Districts
Costa Mesa Sanitary District Jim Ferryman Bob Ooten (714)850-1220
Midway City Sanitary District Joy Neugebauer Al Krippner (714)893-3553
Irvine Ranch Water District John Withers Douglas Reinhart (949)453-5300
County Areas
Member of the Board Chris Norby Janet Nguyen (714)834-3440
Page 4
Key Staff Contact Information
EML
Name Responsibility Phone/Cell
Jim Ruth General Manager (714) 593-7110
Bob Ghirelli Assistant General Manager (714) 593-7400/
(714)272-2044
Gail Garrett Secretary to the General Manager& (714) 593-7101
Assistant General Manager
Brad Hogin General Counsel (714)415-1006
Penny Kyle Clerk of the Board (714) 593-7130
Lilia Kovac Associate Clerk of the Board II (714) 593-7124
Jim Herberg Director of Engineering (714) 593-7300/
(714) 713-7765
Nick Arhontes Director of Operations& Maintenance (714) 593-7210/
(714) 749-8953
Ed Torres Director of Technical Services (714) 593-7080/
(714) 713-6150
Lorenzo Tyner Director of Finance &Administrative Services (714) 593-7550/
(714)423-8206
Bret Colson Public Information Manager (714) 593-7120/
(714)606-8882
Jeff Reed Human Resources & Employee Relations (714) 593-7144/
Manager (714)642-6476
Michael Gold Government Affairs (714) 593-7529/
(714)263-5541
Emergency Control Center—Staffed 24 hours (714) 593-7025
Receptionist Administration Offices (714)962-2411
Page 5
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November 11 :
Orange County Sanitation District
Five - Year Strategic Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OCSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STRATEGIC PLAN PROJECT TEAM
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY iv
A UNIFIED STRATEGIC PLAN 5
OVERVIEW 6
MISSION STATEMENT 7
VISION STATEMENT 8
CORE VALUES 9
STRATEGIC GOALS & LEVELS OF SERVICE 10
Environmental Stewardship 12
Business Principles 14
Wastewater Management 16
Workplace Environment 18
APPENDIX A: ISSUE PAPERS 20
APPENDIX B: PREVIOUS ISSUES PAPERS 26
APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY 32
OCSD BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Doug Davert
Vice Chair Larry Crandall
City Active Director
Anaheim Harry Sidhu
Brea Roy Moore
Buena Park Patsy Marshall
Cypress Phil Luebben
Fountain Valley Larry Crandall
Fullerton Don Bankhead
Garden Grove Bill Dalton
Huntington Beach Don Hansen
Irvine Christina Shea
La Habra Rose Espinoza
La Palma Mark Waldman
Los Alamitos Ken Parker
Newport Beach Don Webb
Orange Jon Dumitru
Placentia Constance Underhill
Santa Ana Sal Tinajero
Seal Beach Charles Antos
Stanton David Shawver
Tustin Doug Davert
Villa Park Brad Reese
Yorba Linda Jim Winder
Sanitary/Water Districts
Costa Mesa Sanitary District lames M. Ferryman
Midway City Sanitary District Joy L. Neugebauer
Irvine Ranch Water District Darryl Miller
Orange County Board of Supervisors Chris Norby
STRATEGIC PLAN PROJECT TEAM
James D. Ruth General Manager
Robert P.Ghirelli Assistant General Manager
Nick Arhontes Director of Operations and Maintenance
James Herberg Director of Engineering
Edward Torres Director of Technical Services
Lorenzo Tyner Director of Administrative Services
Barbara Collins Principal Analyst
Michael Gold Government Affairs Manager
Brent Ives BHI Consulting
MESSAGE FROM
THE GENERAL MANAGER
Throughout our distinguished history,the Orange County Sanitation District has
protected public health and the environment by providing the highest levels of
service, maintaining excellent relationships with our member cities and agencies,
and ratepayers and regulators,while spending public dollars wisely.We are
proud to be an internationally recognized leader in our industry.
The OCSD's success is due to the strength of people serving this fine
organization:our Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and our staff
make every day possible.
Following our successful Strategic Plan adopted by the Board of Directors in November 2007, 1 am proud
to present this plan that continues charting our course for the next five years.The mission,vision,and
core values adopted as part of the last plan form the building blocks for a continuation of our efforts.
In the past year alone,we completed nearly 30 percent of the goals,yet we are not content to maintain
the status quo.As I step back and look over our accomplishments of the past year: passing a sound
financial plan for five years, an aggressive capital improvement program injecting$1 million per day into
Orange County's economy,and the successful dedication of the Groundwater Replenishment System, I
am confident that our Board and staff will continue to strive for excellence and maintain an eye towards
future challenges.
Moving forward,this strategic plan adds five new goals that are as diverse as the population we serve
and I am pleased that initial implementation of these goals will add no new costs to the budget. I look
forward to a thoughtful discussion with staff and the Board of Directors on these important issues.
With significant challenges ahead, I am confident that this strategic plan charts a course for success over
the next year and beyond. I am grateful to the Board of Directors for their leadership and support and
also to our staff for their dedication.
(Respectfully submitted,
James D. Ruth
General Manager
iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In November 2007,the Board of Directors adopted a new comprehensive strategic plan to drive OCSD's
efforts and engage the organization to envision service and operations for the next five years.
This year,the Strategic Plan is being updated to continue looking at a five-year horizon. Following a
similar process to last year's plan,the General Managers Office initiated the planning effort with the
Executive Management Team,then solicited input and ideas from managers and supervisors. In October
2008,the staff-generated ideas were presented to the Board of Directors during a workshop,where
Board Members discussed and deliberated changes and additions to the plan.
Driven by our mission,vision and core values,this Strategic Plan, updated for 2009,continues our
aggressive efforts to meet the sanitation, health,and safety needs of the more than 2.5 million people
we serve while protecting the environment where we live.
In the past year, nearly 30 percent of the goals were completed. For 2009,this Strategic Plan presents
five new goals and maintains the high standards set in the past plan.
These new goals were discussed at the October 15 Board of Directors workshop and include the
following:
• Reaffirming OCSD's commitment to expand the Groundwater Replenishment System,including
completion of the Steve Anderson Lift Station and studying the potential to include flows from the
Santa Ana River Interceptor.
• Analyzing whether adding chlorine to disinfect effluent into the ocean is cost-effective in
comparison to other alternatives that maintain protection of public health and safety.
• Evaluating and promoting OCSD's environmental initiatives and seeking additional opportunities to
utilize emerging technologies.
• Continuing to assess and identify risks to OCSD, including political and financial risks, and developing
mitigation strategies.
• Developing a comprehensive human resources strategic plan to connect employees with the overall
mission,values,and vision of the organization and preparing employees forfuture leadership
opportunities.
This Strategic Plan continues to chart a focused roadmap of success for the future of the Orange County
Sanitation District. It addresses critical operations and construction issues,financial and budgeting
challenges, and gives clear and concise direction to staff, ratepayers, regulatory agencies,the public, and
our Board of Directors.
A UNIFIED STRATEGIC PLAN
In creating this document,a considerable amount ofthought was given to how a variety of existing
planning resources would be used to create a unified Strategic Plan.The graphic below shows the
relationship of these resources and how they relate to the overall structure and execution of the plan.
Board of Directors
Mission
Vision
Core Values
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Goals
Levels of Service
Assessment
of Risks
Annual Business Plans
Business Accountability Charters
Staffing Plan
Financial Plan
Facilities Master Plan
Asset Management Plan
s
OVERVIEW
Since 1954,the Orange County Sanitation District has provided wastewater treatment to the residents
and businesses of northern and central Orange County and is the third largest wastewater treatment
agency west of the Mississippi River. During fiscal year 2007-08,OCSD collected,treated and disposed
of 221 million gallons of wastewater every day.OCSD also recycled 100 percent of its biosolids and
reclaimed 17 percent of its treated wastewater,with a future goal of 40 percent.
In July 2002,the Board approved disinfecting the effluent
and proceeding with the planning,design,and construction
of facilities that will ultimately allow OCSD effluent to meet
Federal Clean Water Act secondary treatment standards.
The current disinfection program includes nearly$5 million
annually for chemicals,while the estimated capital
construction cost to meet secondary treatment standards is
$649 million. OCSD is currently in the midst of a$2.6 billion,
20-year capital improvement program with an annual
capital budget of nearly$300 million.
Reclamation Plant No. I in Fountain Valley
In addition to the OCSD's partnership in the Groundwater
Replenishment System and secondary treatment expansion,
our capital improvement program includes critical
rehabilitation of aging collection systems and treatment
plant facilities,and upgrades to provide enhanced odor
control and reduced air emissions. _
Fes.
Against this backdrop of challenging issues,and to meet the
large and complex needs of providing services to over 2.5 ^
million people in the most effective and efficient way .
possible,the strategic planning process began in 2007 to Treatment Plant No.2 in Huntington Beam
continually map a five-year strategy.
Beginning with gathering input from the staff,with the leadership of the Board of Directors,OCSD
developed its mission,vision,and values to allow all levels of the organization to take ownership in the
strateeic planning process.
The original plan, along with OCSD's mission,vision and values was adopted in November 2007.
For this update,the Executive Management Team once again developed ideas seeking input from
managers and supervisors and presented five new goals for discussion by the Board of Directors.
In the past year, several goals were completed by staff in the areas of climate change, engine emissions,
information technology, biosolids, and leadership development.
6
OCSD MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission Statement is the basic foundation that defines why we exist.
"We protect public health and the environment by providing
effective wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling."
if 7
OCSD VISION STATEMENT
The Vision Statement supports the Mission Statement by expressing abroad philosophy of what the
Orange County Sanitation District strives to achieve now and in the future in the delivery of services to
our customers,vendors,other agencies,the general public,and each other.
The Orange County Sanitation District is committed to:
Making decisions in an open and honest way
r to produce optimum financial,environmental
and societal results.
1
Cooperating with other stakeholders to protect
the ocean and regional water resources for the
i people we serve.
Beneficially recycling wastewater, biosolids and
other resources using safe and effective processes
and systems.
Developing the best possible workforce by
providing employees with opportunities to
advance their careers through enhanced growth,
responsibility,and professional development.
8
CORE VALUES
The Core Values support the Mission and Vision Statements by expressing the values, beliefs,and
philosophy that guides our daily actions.They help form the framework of our organization and
reinforce our professional work ethic.
Honesty, Trust and Respect
We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, honesty,trust,
and respect in our interaction with each other,our suppliers,
our customers,and our community.
Teamwork and Problem Solving
We strive to reach OCSD goals through cooperative efforts and
collaboration with each other and our constituencies.We work to solve
problems in a creative,cost-effective and safe manner,and we
acknowledge team and individual efforts.
Leadership and Commitment
We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and
using them wisely and safely to achieve our objectives and goals.
We are committed to act in the best interest of our employees,
our organization, and our community.
Learning and Teaching — Talents, Skills and Abilities
We continuously develop ourselves,enhancing our talents,skills,and
abilities, knowing that only through personal growth and development
will we continue to progress as an agency and as individuals.
Recognition/Rewards
We seek to recognize, acknowledge, and reward contributions
to OCSD by our many talented employees.
9
STRATEGIC GOALS &
LEVELS OF SERVICE
On the following pages are the strategic goals and levels of service for the next five years. New goals for
this report are noted and all goals include projected completion time.The levels of service standards are
measures of service that are seen by our customers as high priorities.Goals and levels of service are
divided into four areas:
• Environmental Stewardship
• Business Principles
• Wastewater Management
• Workplace Environment
t
10
Goals Completed in the Past Year
During the past year,the following goals were completed:
Environmental Stewardship
Management System for Environmental Compliance
• Implement a management control system for environmental compliance information
that incorporates a dashboard-style report.
Engine Emission Compliance
• Complete study to evaluate alternatives for complying with lower emission limits in the
South Coast Air Quality Management's Rule 1110.2. Initiate planning and design of
demonstration testing of the most promising technology(s) identified in the study.
Climate Change/Greenhouse Gasses
• Complete development of statewide emission inventory protocol for publicly-owned
treatment works and submit mandatory emission inventory to the California Air
Resources Board for Fiscal Year 2007-08.
Business Principles
Enterprise Information Technology Strategic Plan
• Complete a District-wide information technology strategic plan.
Wastewater Management
Sustainable Biosolids Program
• Evaluate the feasibility of deep injection/methane recovery including commissioning
study of the geological formations below Plants 1 and 2, and availability and
acceptability of any existing wells.
• Evaluate option of processing some biosolids at the City of Los Angeles Terminal Island
demonstration well.
• Complete new in-county Compost Take-Back Program Plan strategy.
Workplace Environment
Succession Plan
• Implement the succession management plan including management training and the
creation of a Leadership Academy.
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Environmental Stewardship Goals
OCSD participates collaboratively in the protection of regional water resources for the benefit of the
people we serve.
Goals and Targeted Completion Date
Santa Ana River Interceptor Line Relocation
• Work in conjunction with the County of Orange and the Federal Government to relocate the
Santa Ana River Interceptor Line by March 2012.
Targeted for completion in FY 11-12
Management System for Environmental Compliance
• Implement management control system for the scope of environmental requirements
Targeted for completion in FY 9-10
Contaminants of Potential Concern(CPC)
• Complete three phase testing and analysis of 550+CPC, prepare report on findings and
recommendations,develop initial source control strategy if there are CPCs identified that
require control.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Engine Emission Compliance
• Complete demonstration testing and negotiate engine emission limits and schedule with
SCAQM D.
Targeted for completion in FY 10-11
• Implement capital improvements or operations modifications in order to achieve compliance.
Targeted for completion in FY 13-14
Reclaiming SARI Line Flows
• Meet with stakeholders, develop a list of obstacles that need to be overcome to reclaim the
SARI Line and develop a strategy to obtain regulatory approval of reclaiming SARI Line flows.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Environmental Footprint Initiative(new)
• Determine environmental footprint for both treatment plants
Targeted for completion 09-10
• Develop outreach materials describing initiatives already undertaken by OCSD that have
reduced our environmental footprint
Targeted for completion in 09-10
• Conduct research on emerging technologies and evaluate additional initiatives that should be
considered by the Board
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
• Maximize the use of digester gas
Targeted for completion in 10-11
12
Environmental Stewardship Levels of Service
OCSD will protect public health and the environment FY 07-03 FY 08-09
Results Target
Provide capacity to collect and treat dry weather urban runoff 1.65 mgd Up to 4 mgd
Maximum
10mgdby
2020
Maximum off-site odor impact
• Reclamation Plant No. 1 42 D/T 42 D/T
14D/rby2016
• Treatment Plant No.2 48 D/T 48 D/T
17D/Tby2016
Air emissions health risk to community and employees, < 10 < 10
per one million people(foreach treatment plant)
Permit compliance(air, land,and water) 100% 100%
OCSD will be a good neighbor FY 07-08 FY 0849
Results Target
Odor complaint response:
• Treatment Plants within 1 hour 100% 100%
• Collections System within 1 working day 100% 100%
Number of odor complaints:
• Reclamation Plant No. 1 34 32
• Treatment Plant No. 2 8 4
• Collection System 21 34
Restore collection service to customer within 8 hours 100% 100%
Respond to collection system spills within 1 hour 100% 100%
13
Business Principles
OCSD makes every decision based on short and long-term environmental,societal,and financial impacts
(the triple bottom line).
Goals and Targeted Completion Date
Strategic Business Plan
• With Board concurrence,annually update and implement the Strategic Plan and Business Plan.
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
Review Interagency Agreements
• Conduct a comprehensive review of agreements with the Santa Ana Watershed Project
Authority,and, if appropriate, reopen for discussion.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
• Conduct a comprehensive review of agreements with the Irvine Ranch Water District and, if
appropriate, reopen for discussion.
Targeted for completion in FY 11-12
Complete Facilities Master Plan Update
• Complete a comprehensive update of the Facilities Master Plan and obtain Board approval.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Sewer Rate for Green Development
• Submit for board approval an amendment to sewer rate ordinance with incentives for green
developments.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Business Accountability Charters
• Create Business Accountability Charters for each department consistent with those developed
by managers and supervisors.
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
Local Sewer Services
• Implement the Board's four recommendations based on findings of staffs revenue adequacy
report.Continue to seek an asset transfer to other agencies.Also transfer other local assets
back to cities that are not serving a true regional purpose.
Ongoing goal to be completed in FY 11-12
Updating OCSD's Risk Register(new)
• Review and update OCSD's risk register to include an assessment of technical, regulatory,
financial,and political risks(among others)and possible mitigation strategies.
Targeted for completion in FY 10-11
14
Business Principles Levels of Service
OCSD will exercise sound financial management FY 07-08 FY 08-09
Results Target
COP service principle and interest <O&M expenses <O&M expenses
Annual user fees Sufficient Sufficient to cover all
O&M requirements
Actual annual increase in collection,treatment, and
disposal costs per million gallons in comparison with the 4.3% < 10%
budget
Annual variance from adopted reserve policy 128.50% >95%
OCSD will be responsive to our customers FY 07-08 FY 09-09
Results Target
Respond to public complaints or inquires regarding 100% >90%
construction projects within 1 working day
New connection permits processed within
one working day 92.4% >90%
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Wastewater Management
OCSD beneficially reuses and recycles water and other resources using safe and effective wastewater
systems.
Goals and Targeted Completion Date
Sustainable Biosolids Program
• Monitor both opposition to land application in Kern County and Arizona,and availability of
sustainable cost-effective alternatives and provide management and Board with
recommendation on whether to pursue proposal for selecting a technology to manage the
remaining one-third of our biosolids capacity
• Ongoing goal to be completed annually
• Develop agreement
Targeted for completion in FY 10-11
• Implement management option.
Torgeted for completion in FY 11-12
• Monitor City of Los Angeles'deep injection project and evaluate the regulatory and public
relations components of undertaking the project.
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
• Conduct research to reduce the amount of biosolids produced.
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
Implement Energy Master Plan
• After the completion of the plan, assess final recommendations to ensure adequate power
resources and energy management.
Ongoing goal to be completed annually
Odor Control
• Implement Odor Control Projects at Plant 1 (trickling filters)and Plant 2 (solids loading facility)
by 2016.
Targeted for completion in FY 15-16
Groundwater Replenishment System(new)
• Maximize the production of GWR System product water to augment and protect the Orange
County groundwater basin with a goal of 70 mgd.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Disinfection of Final Effluent(new)
• Develop a cost effective program to sustain protection of public health associated with bacteria
in the effluent and gain acceptance of any changes in the program by the public, regulators and
other stakeholders.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
16
Wastewater Management Levels of Service
Cl will provide a safe reliable effluent for recycling FY 07-08 FY 08-09
Results Target
Concentration of emerging chemical constituents 30 NDMA< 150 ppt
of concern in Plant No. 1 secondary effluent 1.6 1,4-Dioxane<
2 ppb
Thirty-day geometric mean of total coliform bacteria in effluent 266 <1,000 mpn
after initial dilution of 180:1
Industry compliance with permits to discharge into OCSD sewers 100% 100% permit
compliance
BOD 45 ni ROD 100 mg/L
SOD 30 ung/L by 2012
Meet secondary treatment standards
TSS 33 mg/L TSS 55 mg/L
M 30 ong/L by 2012
OCSD will manage flows reliably
FY 07-08 FY 08-09
Results Target
Frequency of use of emergency one-mile(78-inch diameter) 0 per year during
outfall 0 dry weather
less than once per 3 years
in peak wet weather
Sanitary sewer spills per 100 miles 0.9 <2.1
Contain sanitary sewer spills within 5 hours 100% 100%
OCSD's effluent will be recycled FY 07-08 FY 08-09
Results Target
Provide up to 104 mgd specification effluent to the 35.3 mgd 104 mgd
Groundwater Replenishment System during initial
start-up year
OCSD will implement a sustainable biosolids management FY 07-08 FY 08-09
program Results Target
National Biosolids Partnership Certification for Biosolids Recertified Maintain
Environmental Management System July 2008 certification
Percent of biosolids recycled 100%recycled >95%recycled
0%landfill <5% landfill
17
Workplace Environment
OCSD provides an environment of partnership,growth,opportunity, responsibility and accountability.
Goals and Targeted Completion Date
Space Planning Study Recommendations
• Complete relocation of staff housed in Information Technology Trailers,Administration
Building,Control Center and Building 6.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
North County Yard
• Open the North County Yard and training facility and complete the relocation of selected staff
and equipment to the facility. Implement flex space for added agency-wide needs as
appropriate.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
Safety and Health Strategic Plan
• Develop and implement a Safety and Health Strategic Plan for all OCSD activities.
Targeted for completion in FY09-10
Human Resources Strategic Plan(new)
• Design, develop and implement human resources policies, practices systems and tools to
ensure OCSD has a workforce that meets future needs of OCSD and the public it serves.
Targeted for completion in FY 09-10
18
Workplace Environment Levels of Service
OCSD will take care of its people FY 07-08 FY 08-09
Results Target
Training hours per employee 42.04 45 per year
District 5.8 Industry
Employee injury incident rate 0&M 2.6 average
5.2
Mandatory OSHA training requirements 14% 100%
Hours worked since last lost work day NA* 1,000,000
Lost work day rate NA* 3.2
*Results not available because these are new levels of service.
19
APPENDIX A: ISSUE PAPERS
In preparation for the October 15, 2008 Board Workshop to discuss the proposed goals for 2009,staff
prepared five issue papers related to the new goals.These papers are attached for your reference.The
appendix includes issue papers on the following topics:
• Groundwater Replenishment System
• Disinfection of Final Effluent
• Environmental Footprint Initiative
• Updating OCSD's Risk Register
• Human Resources Strategic Plan
Groundwater
Replenishment System
711)
GWR System Commissioning Dedication on January 25,2008
20
Groundwater Replenishment System
Why is this issue important to OCSD)
The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD) has shared in construction costs for Phase 1 of the
Groundwater Replenishment(GWR)System with the Orange County Water District(OCW D), each
agency paying equal shares of 50 percent.The first phase has been constructed to reclaim up to 70
million gallons per day(mgd)of water,and will defer the need for OCSD to construct a new ocean
outfall. Ultimate planning for the GWR System allows for reclaiming up to 130 mgd.The major GWR
System pipelines and other components have been sized to accommodate this expansion; however,the
advanced water purification facilities are sized for 70 mgd.OCSD has not committed additional funding
for expanding the GWR System beyond the present phase.
The GWR System began operation in January 2008,and is presently producing about 45 mgd of product
water, reducing OCSD's ocean discharge flow from 225 mgd to 180 mgd.Completion of the Steven
Anderson Lift Station (formerly Ellis Avenue Pump Station)will increase the amount of treated
secondary effluent(specification water)available to the OCWD,allowing GWR System production to
increase to near 70 mgd.
Goals
➢ Continue to strive for 104 mgd supply of specification water for reclamation with no planned
OCSD capital cost contribution for expansion of the GWR System;
➢ Complete construction of Steven Anderson Lift Station in the fourth quarter of FY 2008-09 and
➢ Continue to study the potential for treating flow from the Santa Ana River Interceptor at
Reclamation Plant No. 1 to increase the supply of specification water for reclamation.
Desired Outcome
➢ Maximizing the production of GWR System product water to augment and protect the Orange
County groundwater basin with a goal of 70 mgd of product water by the end of FY 2008-09.
21
Disinfection of Final Effluent
Why is this issue important to OCSD?
OCSD began disinfection of our treated effluent in 2002 in response to two factors:
• concern from the public that our effluent might be the cause or contributing to elevated
bacteria levels in Huntington State Beach and
• ocean monitoring data suggesting that on at least one occasion our effluent plume had come to
within Y.mile of the Newport Pier.
Since 2002 evidence has shown that OCSD's effluent was not the source of shoreline bacteria in
Huntington Beach and that our plume is not coming to shore and creating a public health concern.
The annual budget for adding chlorine to the effluent for disinfection and sodium bisulfite to remove
most of the chlorine before discharging to the ocean is approximately$7.0 million. Since OCSD's
facilities were not originally designed with disinfection in mind,there are physical constraints to
operating in an efficient manner.
In 2006,staff believed that it was prudent to have an independent review of our disinfection program to
determine if it is meeting the intended purpose of protecting public health in a cost-effective manner
and not increasing risks to the marine environment.The independent review panel was composed of
nine members including a medical doctor,a wastewater engineer,a marine ecologist,a regulator,and a
chemist among others.
Goals
➢ Through the National Water Research Institute(NW RI), commission a panel of experts to review
OCSD's disinfection program and provide feedback and recommendations;
➢ Obtain final recommendations from the NWRI Panel on the appropriateness of our current
disinfection program and alternatives that should be considered and
➢ Develop and implement strategies for responding to the recommendations including
demonstration testing, regulatory approval and outreach to stakeholders.
Desired Outcome
➢ Cost effective program to sustain protection of public health associated with bacteria in our
effluent and
➢ Acceptance of any changes to our disinfection program by regulators, public and stakeholders
22
Environmental Footprint Initiative
Why is this issue important to OCSD?
The issue of global climate change is gaining considerable interest from both the public and policy
makers.As a public agency chartered with the mission to protect public health and the environment,
OCSD should demonstrate leadership in this area. Moreover,wastewater operations consume large
amounts of energy and produce green house gases(GHG). Despite the scientific disagreements about
climate change, policy makers are addressing the issue.There are many opportunities for OCSD to also
address these issues and shrink our environmental footprint.
Goals
➢ Calculation of the environmental footprint of OCSD's facilities;
➢ Develop outreach materials describing green initiatives undertaken by OCSD;
➢ Evaluate additional initiatives that the OCSD Board should consider;
➢ Evaluate information from OCSD's research program on emerging green technologies and
➢ Maximize the use of renewable fuels(digester gas).
Desired Outcomes
➢ Greater awareness of OCSD's sustainable initiatives;
➢ Reduction in OCSD's environmental footprint through immediate greenhouse gas reduction
measures and
➢ A plan for implementing future sustainable initiatives.
23
Updating OCSD's Risk Register
Why is this issue important to OCSD?
Many leading organizations are formally applying risk management processes to identify and manage
risks across many aspects of their business.The formalization of risk management processes is a logical
step towards increased accountability and transparency placed on the Board and District management.
In February 2006,strategic level risk assessment and mitigation workshops were completed by OCSD's
Executive Management Team and District Managers. In May 2008,the register was updated to include
additional information and to ensure alignment with current strategic plan.
Assessment of these risks and their potential impacts must be identified, reviewed and mitigated in
alignment with OCSD's Strategic Plan.
Goals
➢ Identify and assess strategic and organization-wide risks facing OCSD(including technical,
regulatory,financial,and political)and to develop a high level risk register;
➢ Identify mitigation measures that OCSD currently has in place;
➢ Propose additional mitigation measures that OCSD considers appropriate to manage;
➢ Review of risk register to ensure it represents a balanced portfolio of the risks and that the
mitigation strategies are appropriate;
➢ Develop a plan to monitor the effect of mitigation strategies to ensure that controls are in place
and effective;
➢ Develop a formal reporting process to the Board that includes possible revisions to the overall
risk profile;
➢ Develop protocols to provide assurance to stakeholders that in the annual strategic business
plan processes are in place to manage risks organization wide and
➢ Develop an action plan of responsibilities and timeframes for follow-up.
Desired Outcome
➢ An update of the Risk Register including mitigation strategies(current and proposed)
responsibilities,and timeframes
24
Human Resources Strategic Plan
Why is this issue important to OCSD?
Human Resources(HR) management has become more complex,evolving from primarily processing
employee transactions to serving as a business partner,change agent and leader.
OCSD's most important asset is its workforce.As a generation of this workforce retires,OCSD must be
prepared to fill vacancies and prepare the next generation for opportunities, including leadership
continuity.
The HR strategic plan provides the focus for HR,the outcomes to be achieved and the associated roles
and competencies needed. It creates clarity for planning and allocating resources.A long-range HR
strategy will assure that actions are aligned with OCSD's overall vision,mission,values,and strategies.
Goals
D Improve HR processes,systems and infrastructure to provide high levels of efficiency, quality,
customer service and cost-effectiveness.
➢ Develop leading practices in the recruitment, retention and development of our workforce.
➢ Support and promote the health and well-being of the workforce.
➢ Foster and maintain a working and learning environment that is inclusive,supportive and free
from discrimination.
➢ Provide for organizational change initiatives through labor relations program that have been
identified by management to grow a performance-based culture.
➢ Focus the HR community on the needs of its customers through programs such as recognition
and succession management.
Desired Outcome
➢ Design,develop,fund and implement HR policies,strategies, practices,systems,and tools to
ensure OCSD has a workforce that meets the future needs of OCSD and the public it serves.
25
APPENDIX B: PREVIOUS ISSUE PAPERS
Due to the complex nature of many of the challenges that went into the preparation of this Strategic
Plan,a series of position papers were created to assist in better understanding the issues currently
facing the Orange County Sanitation District. Included in appendix are position papers on the following
subjects:
• Biosolids Management
• Groundwater Replenishment System
• Air Quality
• Odor Control
• Proposition 218 Notification
{
Initial mechanical sari-up of EnerTech's Regional Biosolids Processing Facility in Rialto on October 16,2008.
26
Setting OCSD's Level of Service
for Biosolids Management
November 2007
Policy Issue for LOS Determination: Recognizing the Board's Resolution(OCSD 06-10)that supports biosolids
reuse and encourages its member agencies to use compost made from biosolids,should OCSD continue to pursue
our beneficial reuse policy or include disposal options for the remaining 1/3 of its non-contractually committed
biosolids production?
Staff Recommendation: OCSD should continue to pursue beneficial reuse of the remaining 1/3 of its biosolids
production.Staff will continue to utilize cost-effective land application reuse options in Kern County and Arizona
for as long as possible(anticipated to be less than five years)while pursuing a biosolids-to-energy alternative for
the balance of its biosolids production.
Analysis: OCSD currently produces 650 tons of biosolids per day,by 2012 when the new secondary treatment
processes are fully operational,biosolids production is projected to increase by approximately 30%to 840 tons per
day.OCSD currently manages its biosolids as follows via two contracts using five options:
24 percent is land applied as Class A biosolids in Kern County($43.07/ton)
26 percent is land applied as Class B biosolids in Yuma County,Arizona($45.44)
38 percent is composted to Class A in Kern County($63.09)
• 12 percent is composted to Class A La Paz County,Arizona($49.74)
• 3 percent is land filled in Yuma County,Arizona($45.44)
In 2003,OCSD adopted the Long-Range Biosolids Master Plan(Plan).The main policy recommendations
from the Plan were:
Obtain at least three diverse biosolids management options
Limit participation in any market to one-half of the biosolids produced
• Limit contracts to one-third of total biosolids production
• Strive for increased biosolids-based compost use in Orange County
• Since the completion of the Plan,OCSD has entered into two long-term contracts that will service
approximately two-thirds of OCSD's biosolids production.
EnerTech:225 tons/day of biosolids-to-fuel in Rialto($72.40)
(on line 12/08)
Synagro:250 tons/day of biosolids composting in Kern County($63.09)
Staff is primarily investigating biosolids-to-energy technologies and markets for the remaining one-third of OCSD's
biosolids production because of our concern that biosolids composting markets are being saturated which could
result in de-valuing of the product,making it non-sustainable.The private sector has already significantly invested
in developing biosolids-to-energy technologies which enables wastewater agencies to participate in proven and
sustainable markets.Staff will also be investigating biosolids management via deep-well injection and methane
production which is currently being evaluated by the City of Los Angeles.
Alternatives: OCSD will pursue long term contracts if possible for non-beneficial reuse landfill disposal.
Cost Implications for the remaining 1/3 of OCSD's biosolids(2007 dollars):
Energy Production: $85/ton—Annual cost=$7.8M
Deep Well Injection: $40/ton—Annual cost=$3.7M
Landfill Disposal: $60/ton—Annual cost=$5.5M
27
Setting OCSD's Level of Service
for the Groundwater Replenishment System
November 2007
Policy Issue for LOS Determination: The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD)has shared in construction
costs for Phase 1 of the Groundwater Replenishment(GWR)System with the Orange County Water District
(OCWD),with each agency paying equal shares of 50%. Phase 1 will reclaim up to 70 million gallons per day(mgd)
of water,and will defer the need for OCSD to construct a new ocean outfall estimated at$200 million. Ultimate
planning for the GWR System allows for reclamation up to 130 mgd.The major GWR System pipelines and other
components have been sized to accommodate this expansion;however,the advanced water purification facilities
are sized for 70 mgd.OCSD has not committed additional funding for expanding the GWR System beyond
the present phase.
Staff Recommendation: OCSD will maintain its commitment for Phase 1 of the GWR System.This commitment
for Phase 1 of GWR System includes the following:
• Providing OCWD with secondary effluent to produce 70 mgd of reclaimed water
• Providing 50 percent of capital costs($250 million)for Phase 1
• Providing 50 percent of O&M costs($500,000 per year)to remove 1,4-Dioxane and NDMA
• In addition to the commitment for Phase 1,staff recommends exploring"low cost"or"no cost"options to
expand water availability for the GWR System,including:
• Revisiting the potential use of the SARI with the Department of Health Services
• Considering grant funding of future sewer diversion projects
Analysis: In 1999,the OCSD Board of Directors(Board)approved Phase 1 of the GWR System,a joint funded
project of OCSD and OCWD.The objective of Phase 1 is to maximize the use of treated effluent for water recycling
and to manage OCSD's peak flow,deferring the construction of a second ocean outfall beyond 2020.
The GWR System is anticipated to be fully operational in November 2007.Currently,OCSD Reclamation Plant No. 1
has sufficient wastewater to allow the GWR System to produce about 55 mgd of reclaimed water for the first year
of operations.When the new Ellis Pump Station is completed in 2009,there will be sufficient flow to operate the
GWR System at its full 70 mgd capacity.
Even though sufficient flows will be available for Phase 1 of the GWR System,the daily low flow period(1:00 am to
8:00 am)will limit water availability for expansion of the System beyond Phase 1.Camp Dresser and McKee(CDM)
has analyzed options to pump additional flows to Plant No.1,segregating reclaimable and non-reclaimable(SAWPA
flows)wastewater streams,and constructing separate treatment plants.In light of the benefits of the current level
of service versus the high costs of making future flow available for the GWR System,staff recommends that OCSD
continue to work with OCWD to study lower cost options to maximize the amount of water that can be reclaimed.
Alternatives: OCSD will be directing all available reclaimable flows to Plant No.1 to maximize reclamation. In the
future,as OCSD flows increase substantially,staff will recommend implementation of the most feasible and cost-
effective options for increasing the quantity of flow available for reclamation.
Estimated Cost Implications for Future Phases:
• OCSD Diversions and Infrastructure—up to$700 million
• Expansion of OCWD Advanced Water Purification Facilities—about$150 million
• Every$1 million in OCSD expenditures increases single family user rates by$1.13 per year.
28
Setting OCSD's
Level of Service for Air Quality
November 2007
Policy Issue: OCSD expects the South Coast Air Quality Management District to amend existing regulations to
require significant reductions in common pollutants(smog,visibility impairment)in December 2007.A secondary
public health benefit of this regulation is the reduction in air toxic emissions.The estimated capital improvement
cost to meet the new requirements is$31 million.
• If the new regulations are not approved then OCSD will be required
by 2012,under the existing regulations,to notify all affected residents
and business surrounding our facilities of health risks associated
with our emissions.
• OCSD can avoid issuing notifications by proactively installing air pollution control equipment to reduce the air
toxic emissions below
the notification level.
Analysis: Currently,State law and the South Coast Air Quality Management District require facilities to inventory
their air toxic emissions and conduct a Health Risk Assessment of the health risk impact of their emissions to
surrounding residents and businesses.
Public notification is required if the cancer risk exceeds 10 in one million and non-cancer risk exceeds 1.This means
that 10 out of 1 million residents exposed to District air emissions,over a 70-year period,can contract cancer.It is
anticipated that after completion of full secondary facilities in 2012,OCSD will exceed the threshold established by
South Coast Air Quality Management District and OCSD will be required to notify affected communities.
New regulations proposed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District would require OCSD to make
significant reductions in common pollutants.
The most technically feasible and lowest cost solution will be to add air pollution controls to the existing engines,
which would provide the added benefit of reducing air toxic emissions below levels that require public notification.
Alternatives(if the new regulations are not enacted):
• Notify the affected public of the potential health risk from OCSD's toxic air emissions.OCSD would notify the
public via direct mailings to the residents,businesses,and schools followed by public meetings.
The corresponding materials will also be listed on the SCAQMD Web site and,possibly,printed in local
newspapers.
• Add air pollution controls to reduce risk to community below public notification level.
Staff Recommendation: OCSD should apply feasible and cost-effective controls in order to reduce the air toxic
emissions below the health risk notification level
to the surrounding community and OCSD employees.
29
Setting OCSD's
Level of Service for Odor Control
November 2007
Policy Issue: Thousands of homes surround OCSD's two treatment plants. Under current operating procedures,
OCSD's goal is to contain odor nuisances within our property boundary. Historically,OCSD based our Level of
Service on meeting hydrogen sulfide levels at the exhaust of odor control equipment within the treatment plant
and at the fenceline of our property.Through significant study,staff has determined that hydrogen sulfide is not
the best indicator of odor due to the presence of other odorous compounds.To gauge accurately odor nuisances,
OCSD is changing to a scientifically based method of odor detection to determine accurately the Level of Service it
wishes to achieve for communities surrounding our treatment plants.The Board must then choose the desired
LOS.
Analysis: In 2002,OCSD completed the Odor Control Master Plan,which provided specific recommendations and
measures to control and reduce odors.Staff conducted an extensive evaluation of 005D facilities by collecting and
analyzing odor samples from the plant processing equipment.0051D used a panel of 6-8 people,with average
olfactory sensitivity,to determine the odor detection thresholds scientifically based on the number of times the
sample needed to be diluted before the panelist detected odor.Staff then assigned an odor unit to the sample-
the higher the number of dilutions needed to achieve the threshold,the stronger the odor.Staff then fed the data
into a computer model to predict the impact to the community.
With the modeling analyses completed,staff concluded that under normal operation conditions,by using a
guideline of 30 D/T(dilutions to threshold)OCSD would eliminate odor to the surrounding community.OCSD
currently meets a 40-50 D/T,which is 4 to 5 times greater than 10 D/T.After the currently approved CIP projects
are constructed,OCSD is estimated to reach a level of 25-30 D/r(2.5 to 3 times greater than 10 D/T).
Alternatives:
• Adopt a treatment plant LOS of 25-30 dilutions/threshold.LOS will be achieved when the projects approved in
the current CIP are constructed. Design and construct all future projects to a service level that will keep odors
from that project on District property.Staff believes this level is 10 D/T but case-by-case modeling for the
projects will be required.The result is no cast Impact to the current approved CIP.
• Adopt a treatment plant and future project design and construction LOS for odor control of 10
dilutions/threshold(within the fence line of OCSD)and incorporate four additional odor control projects into
the CIP.The result is an increase of$69.6 million to the CIP and$648,000 for O&M.
Staff Recommendation: Establish 005D odor standard based on total odor(D/T).Design all new processes,
structures and equipment at the wastewater treatment plants so that odors remain within treatment plant
boundaries.Add two additional odor control projects(Plant 1 trickling filters and Plant 2 biosolids truck loading)to
the CIP.The result is an increase of$17.6 million to the CIP and$300,000 annually for O&M.Conduct research on
cost-effective alternatives to control odors from the primary treatment facilities at both plants and report back to
the Board on future staff recommendations for any further odor control.
30
Proposition 218 Notices for
Annual Sewer Service User Fees
November 2007
Proposition 218 was a constitutional initiative governing the establishment of any new taxes,property-related fees
or assessments.This initiative was approved by the state's voters in November 1996 and applies to each of
California's nearly 7,000 cities,counties,special districts,schools,community college districts,redevelopment
agencies,and regional organizations.
In order to raise a new tax,assessment,or property-related fee,or to increase an existing one,local governments
must comply with Proposition 218 regulations.
In general,these requirements are that local governments may use assessments and property-related fees only to
finance projects and services that directly benefit property and that most revenue-raising measures be approved in
an election.
Sewer service user fees are specifically exempted from some of the requirements of Proposition 218.Most
notably,they are exempt from the election requirements, but not the requirement that fees cannot exceed the
reasonable cost of service.
The Board has agreed with staff, however,that we will comply with all of the rest of the requirements,in a spirit of
good governance.A notice of rate changes is mailed to every property owner whenever the rates are proposed to
increase.
Based on the approval to charge for local sewer services,a second(separate) Proposition 218 notice would be
included.The rates are adopted through the ordinance process,and that requires a public hearing,two Board
meetings and a 2/3 majority approval of the Board.
Proposition 218 Notices notify the property owners of the public hearing that coincides with the second reading of
the ordinance.Notices must be mailed to property owners 45 days before the public hearing.
Mailing of Proposition 218 notices requires significant Sanitation District resources and staff time as staff works
with all stakeholders to ensure that notices are printed correctly and mailed to over 550,000 property owners.
Additional temporary staff is needed to answer phone calls from customers.Historically,three OCSD staff and two
temporary staff answer phone calls for a minimum of four weeks. In addition to written responses(including
email),phone calls are also noted and tallied by city of residence.This information is made available to the
Directors prior to the public hearing.
31
APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY
Activated-sludge process—A secondary biological wastewater treatment process
where bacteria reproduce at a high rate with the introduction of excess air or oxygen,and consume
dissolved nutrients in the wastewater.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)—The amount of oxygen used when organic matter undergoes
decomposition by microorganisms.Testing for BOD is done to assess the amount of organic matter in
water.
Biosolids—Biosolids are nutrient rich organic and highly treated solid materials produced by the
wastewater treatment process.This high-quality product can be
recycled as a soil amendment on farm land or further processed as an earth-like product for commercial
and home gardens to improve and maintain fertile soil and stimulate plant growth.
Business Accountability Charters—A business unit strategic plan.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP)—Projects for repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of assets.Also
includes treatment improvements, additional capacity,
and projects for the support facilities.
Coliform bacteria—A group of bacteria found in the intestines of humans and other animals, but also
occasionally found elsewhere used as indicators of sewage pollution. E.coli are the most common
bacteria in wastewater.
Collections system—In wastewater, it is the system of typically underground pipes that receive and
convey sanitary wastewater or storm water.
Certificate of Participation(COP)—A type of financing where an investor purchases a share of the lease
revenues of a program rather than the bond being secured by those revenues.
Contaminants of Potential Concern(CPC)—Pharmaceuticals, hormones,and other organic wastewater
contaminants.
Dashboard—A computer based business tool used to visually track performance.
Dilution to Threshold(D/T)—the dilution at which the majority of the people detect the odor becomes
the D/T for that air sample.
2,4-Dioxane—A chemical used in solvents for manufacturing,fumigants and automotive coolant. Like
NDMA, it occurs in the Groundwater Replenishment System water and is eliminated with hydrogen
peroxide and additional ultra-violet treatment.
Greenhouse gases—In the order of relative abundance water vapor,carbon dioxide,methane,nitrous
oxide,and ozone gases that are considered the cause
of global warming("greenhouse effect").
32
GLOSSARY continued
Groundwater Replenishment(G WR)System—A joint water reclamation project that proactively
responds to Southern California's current and future water needs.This joint project between the Orange
County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District will provide 70 million gallons a day of
drinking quality water to replenish the local groundwater supply.
Levels of Service(LOS)—Goals to support environmental and public expectations for performance.
Million gallons per day(mgd)—A measure of flow used in the water industry.
Most Probable Number(MPN)—Number of organisms per 100 ml that would yield a test result or the
observed test result with the greatest frequency.Commonly used for coliform bacteria.
NDMA—N-Nitrosodimethylamine is an N-nitrosoamine suspected cancer-causing agent. It has been
found in the Groundwater Replenishment System process and is eliminated using hydrogen peroxide
with extra ultra-violet treatment.
National Biosolids Partnership(NBP)—An alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies
(NACWA)and Water Environment Federation (WEF),with advisory support from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency(EPA). NBP is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and
sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and promote public
participation in order to enhance the credibility of local agency biosolids programs and improved
communications that lead to public acceptance.
O&M—Operations and maintenance of the treatment plants facilities and collections system.
Publicly-owned Treatment Works(POTW)—Municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Recycling—The conversion of solid and liquid waste into usable materials or energy.
Risk Register—An internal document that describes vulnerabilities of the Sanitation District.
Santa Ana River Interceptor(SARI) Line—A regional brine line designed
to convey 30 million gallons per day(MGD)of non-reclaimable wastewater
from the upper Santa Ana River basin to the ocean for disposal,after treatment.
Sanitary sewer—Separate sewer systems specifically for the carrying of
domestic and industrial wastewater.Combined sewers carry both wastewater
and urban run-off.
South Coast Air Quality Management District(SCAQMD)—Regional regulatory agency that develops
plans and regulations designed to achieve public health standards by reducing emissions from business
and industry.
Secondary treatment—Biological wastewater treatment, particularly the activated-sludge process,
where bacteria and other microorganisms consume dissolved nutrients in wastewater.
33
GLOSSARY continued
Sludge—Untreated solid material created by the treatment of wastewater.
Total suspended solids(TSS)—The amount of solids floating and in suspension in wastewater.
Trickling filter—A biological secondary treatment process in which bacteria and other microorganisms,
growing as slime on the surface of rocks or plastic media,consume nutrients in wastewater as it trickles
over them.
Urban run-off—Water from city streets and domestic properties that carry pollutants into the storm
drains, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Wastewater—Any water that enters the sanitary sewer.
Watershed—A land area from which water drains to a particular water body. OCSD's service area is in
the Santa Ana River Watershed.
34
35
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
10844 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, California 92708-7018
(714) 962-2411
www.ocsd.com
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Source Control
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OCSD's Source Control Program was established in 1970.The program regulates and monitors
industry to keep toxic pollutants out of the sewage system. OCSD works proactively with
businesses and industries advising them on Best Management Practices that includes installing
pretreatment systems or using alternative chemicals.This relationship has helped our
permittees reduce the amount of toxic pollutants discharged into the sewer system by more
than 80 percent over the past 30 years. Source Control is one of the most important factors in
being able to recycle water, as well as biosolids.
Page 8
Collection System
1 .
7
_1
r
The Metering and Diversion Building,where 6large regional trunk lines
and 1 interplant diversion line enter the Fountain Valley facility.
OCSD collects wastewater from 471 square miles
of central and north Orange County. Approximately
80 percent of our wastewater comes from residential
customers in 21 cities, 3 special districts, and portions
of unincorporated Orange County. The other 20 -
percent comes from businesses and industry.
We currently maintain and operate two treatment
facilities located in Fountain Valley and Huntington
Beach, 568 miles of regional and local sewer pipelines 11
and 16 off-site pumping stations that pump sewage into —
our gravity system from the low-lying collection
systems of the areas we serve.
Raw Sewage
Page 9
Urban Runoff
------------
A concrete dam in the Santa Ana river diverts water
into a wet well where it is pumped by the County of
Orange into the Fountain Valley facility for treatment.
OCSD's sanitary sewer system is separate from the storm water system. The only exceptions
are flows from 18 dry-weather urban runoff diversion facilities permitted by OCSD but owned
and operated by local agencies in our service area. During fiscal year 2007/08, OCSD received
cumulative flow volumes of urban runoff that ranged from 0.7 to 2.4 million gallons per day,
which varied by season.
Page 10
Preliminary Treatment
1.
Bar Screens
When wastewater reaches our plants, it undergoes a multi-step process that will make it clean
enough to be recycled back into the environment.
Preliminary treatment is the first step in wastewater processing once it reaches our facilities.To
prevent damage to our systems bar screens collect and remove paper, rags, towels, rocks,
chunks of solid grease, and plastic. Downstream grit chambers allow smaller heavier materials
such as eggshells, bottle caps, coffee grounds, gravel and sand to settle out.
Page 11
Odor Control
ter•-'- �-'=
. Q67
As a result of hydrogen sulfide forming in
sewer pipes and processing units, wastewater
treated at our facilities has the potential to
create nuisance odors. Typically characterized
by a rotten egg smell,the Sanitation District
combats these odors to prevent their release
with control measures such as covering
treatment areas and sealing manhole covers,
lj
as well as biological and chemical air scrubbers
to eliminate the odors that are produced. q
Hydrogen sulfide is one component of the odor
spectrum that needs to be managed.
New Scrubbers at our Huntington Beach facility.
Over the nextfive years, OCSO will invest over$120
million in odor control systems.
Page 12
Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment
WON
F
r1mary clarifiers at our Fountain Valleyfacility.
r clarifiers are rec ran guInr but perform the same function.
During primary treatment, wastewater flows to
large settling tanks, called clarifiers,where _
chemicals are added to enhance the
coagulation and settling of solids. Oil and
lighter materials float to the surface and are
skimmed off. Solids and scum that settle to the
bottom are pumped to digesters.
I[
treated wastewater
Page 13
Secondary Treatment
Trickling filters at the Fountain Valley facility
A portion of primary treated wastewater
is pumped to trickling filters where it is
percolated or "trickled"through a :;. .
specially designed plastic media where _
aerobic microorganisms grow and feed �W
on nutrients in the wastewater.The remaining primary treated
wastewater flows to large aeration basins
where air or pure oxygen is added to
maintain the proper level of dissolved
oxygen in the water so that 001
microorganisms, called activated sludge,
can feed on dissolved organic materials -
and clean the water. L•
Secondary clarifiers at the Fountain Valleyfocility
The treated secondary effluent then flows into clarifiers where the activated sludge settles out.The
settled solids and sludge are pumped back to the aeration basins to regenerate the process and
floatable oils and solids are skimmed off and thickened and sent to the digesters.
Page 14
Anaerobic Digestion
f=-
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The solids are processed in digesters for
an average of 18 days at a temperature
of 98 degrees.
Anaerobic digesters further treat and stabilize oils, scum and solids removed from primary and
secondary treatment to reduce pathogens and produce digester gas. Digester gas, a renewable
fuel supply that consists of methane and carbon dioxide, is used in our power generation
facilities or flared-off when not needed. We call these stabilized solids'Biosolids."
Page 15
Solids Dewatering and Biosolids Management
rf
OCSD generates 250,000 tons of b/osal/ds annually.
Biosolids from the anaerobic digesters are then pumped and dewatered using belt presses and
then can be applied directly to farmland or further processed through various technologies,
such as composting, lime stabilization, and production of a fuel pellet that can serve as a
synthetic coal.
r �
IAp6pr..'��'..te"YrW trucks haul an average of 699 tons
ilids p day from OCSD facilities.
Page 16 -
Energy Recovery
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3.0 megawatt central power generators at our Huntington Beach facility.
OCSD generates enough electricity by recycling methane gas to power enough homes in
a city the size of Brea,saving OCSD approximately$7.6 million annually.
Methane gas is used in our clean-burning internal combustion engines to drive generators that
produce electricity to operate our plants.As our facilities grow, we will not have enough
generator capacity to cover our on-site needs.
Page 17
Water Reclamation
The Groundwater Replenishment System
The GWR System, a joint project of
OCSD and OCWD, went online in
January 2008.This project currently
• purifies up to 70 million gallons per day
•
� of clean water. It produces a reliable
new water supply at a competitive
rate, improves water quality, and
meets all drinking water standards
while generating enough water to
meet the needs of 500,000 people per
year.
Green Acres Project
Another joint effort with OCW D is the Green
Acres Project(GAP). In operation since 1992,the
GAP reclaims secondary treated wastewater for
use in irrigation and industry. OCSD is the largest
industrial user of GAP water, averaging
approximately 4.5 million gallons a day.
Secondary treated wastewater
Page 18
B
Final treated effluent that is not
recycled is disinfected with bleach
i + and then dechlorinated with
eu.cx oxn . sodium bisulfite to ensure that the
ois.. WCO chlorine residual in the final
effluent will not harm ocean life.
Outfall
The ocean outfall pipe is 10 feet in diameter, five miles long
and safely discharges treated wastewater at a depth of 200
feet.The last mile of the pipeline is a diffuser section with
501 portholes each three to four inches in diameter, provides
a high rate of dilution with the surrounding seawater.
Page 19
Ocean Monitoring
i
NERISSA
Per our current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, CCSD is required to
conduct a comprehensive ocean monitoring program that measures the quality of the ocean
waters around the outfall,the quality of the natural marine sediments around the outfall, and
the condition of the fish and invertebrates such as crabs and sea stars that live in the ocean and
in the sediments. This program has been in place for over 35 years.
Page 20
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General Manager's Office
The General Manager's Office manages the day-to-day and strategic long-term operations of all
facets of the agency. An Assistant General Manager works closely with the General Manager
to accomplish these goals. The General Managers Office has a budget of$7 million and 22
employees in five divisions.
2. The General Manager's Office has two employees who provide oversight and
administrative management of all OCSD operations, ensuring policies and procedures are
implemented in accordance with direction from the Board of Directors.
2. The Assistant General Manager's Office has two employees who assist the General
Manager by managing the daily activities of the agency, by communicating with federal,
state and local elected officials to advocate OCSD's interest in legislative issues, and by
managing the strategic planning process. The Board Services, Public Information Office,
and Safety and Health division's report to the Assistant General Manager.
3. The Board Services Division has two employees who support the General Manager and
Board of Directors by managing the preparation, processing, and legal record keeping of
all Board of Director's meeting materials. This division also ensures compliance with the
Political Reform Act and AB1234.
4. The Public Information Office has nine employees who meet the communications needs
of internal and external audiences for OCSD. This includes media relations, Web site
content and management, community relations,construction outreach, community
education and outreach,employee communications, intranet management, production of
collaterals, graphics and presentation materials, crisis communications and special event
management.This division also manages the meeting room services and front desk
operation.
S. The Safety and Health Division has seven employees who protect employees,the public,
the environment, and assets by developing and implementing cost effective safety,
health, and security systems, policies, and procedures.
Page 23
Engineering Department
The Engineering Department is responsible for delivering a diverse roster of capital projects by
utilizing effective planning,technology and problem solving capabilities.The department has a
budget of$17 million and includes 108 employees in five divisions with a budgeted expenditure
of$373.7 million for fiscal year 2008-09.
1. The Engineering Administration Division has two employees and provides management
to all Engineering divisions.
2. The Planning Division has 19 employees who evaluate and review engineering data,
master planning efforts regarding the Capital Improvement Program, water resources
management, and OCSD's California Environmental Quality Act review. This division also
provides oversight for annexations, connection permitting, easements and agency
agreements, and management of the Engineering Department's documents and records.
The planning division is also responsible for developing and updating OCSD's Engineering
design guidelines and standards.
3. The Project Management Office has 18 employees who manage the design and
construction of new collection, treatment, and disposal facilities as well as the
rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. This division is also responsible for the delivery of
capital projects from the preliminary design stage through the closeout of construction.
4. The Engineering and Construction Division has 59 employees and provides
administration, design, inspection, and other vital services to the Project Management
Office and the Planning division.
S. The Facilities Engineering Division has 30 employees and is responsible for implementing
fast-track improvement and repair projects in the treatment plants,the collection system,
and support facilities. This division utilizes a combination of in-house design and
consultants to implement these projects.
Page 24
Key Issue — Capital Improvement Program MM
Capital Improvement Program
The Orange County Sanitation District is in the middle of a $2.5 billion Capital Improvement
Program (CIP). It is an aggressive and complex program, in part because our plants must
continue to operate effectively during construction without disruption. Further heightening the
urgency is a Federal Consent Decree imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) requiring OCSD to meet secondary
treatment standards by December 31, 2012.This program has a budgeted expenditure of
$373.7 million for fiscal year 2008-09.
Background:
The Capital Improvement Program consists of three parts: (1) Rehabilitation or replacement of
existing facilities, (2) Upgrades in levels of service, including full secondary treatment, odor
control and other air quality improvements, and, (3) New capacity for planned developments
within the areas served by OCSD.
Rehabilitation or Replacement of Existing Facilities
While most of the attention focuses on expansion projects, rehabilitation and replacement of
existing infrastructure is critical to the long-term success of our Capital Improvement Program.
The CIP will replace or rehabilitate 16 sewage pumps stations and 44 trunklines. In addition,
secondary facilities at both plants will be rehabilitated. OCSD also funds cooperative projects
that assist our service area cities in the rehabilitation of deteriorating sewer lines.
Upgrades in Levels of Service
In 2002, the Board voted to forfeit OCSD's 301(h)waiver(allowing for less than full secondary
treatment of effluent). Currently this agency operates under a modified secondary permit
requiring it to meet specific milestones. If OCSD fails to meet any of these milestones, the EPA
in conjunction with the RWQCB will levy penalties.
Page 25
In 2007, the Board approved a 5-yr Strategic Plan to upgrade the levels of service for several
items including odor control and air quality. These upgrades will reduce the odor levels and the
amount of regulated air emissions in the neighborhoods surrounding OCSD's two treatment
plants.
New Capacity
The OCSD Capital Improvement Program includes$453 million in expansion projects through
the year 2020. These projects are designed to accommodate planned growth within the cities
and agencies served by OCSD.
Page 26
Key Issue — Santa Ana River Interceptor
Santa Ana River Interceptor Relocation and/or Protection Project
The Santa Ana River Interceptor Line (SARI) is a multi-county, regional sewer, extending 76
miles from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties to OCSD's treatment plant in Fountain Valley.
The SARI was built in 1976 and carries 42 million gallons of wastewater per day. OCSD owns and
operates the line in conjunction with the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority(SAWPA). It
serves portions of Orange County and the upriver counties of Riverside and San Bernardino.
Over the years, severe erosion has taken place along a four-mile stretch of the SARI located in
the Santa Ana River bed below Prado Dam.The SARI must be relocated and protected to
prevent a major sewage spill.Any rupture in the SARI would discharge raw sewage down the
Santa Ana River toward Orange County groundwater recharge basins,the beaches and the
ocean.The effects would be immediate and severe.
A break in the SARI line will cause:
• An immediate public health threat
• Significant damage to OCSD's collections and treatment facilities
• Harm to critical drinking water supplies for 2.5 million Orange County residents
• Regional economic damage
Timeline:
• OCSD's Board of Directors certified the final Environmental Impact Report(EIR) in
June 2000.
• In February 2001,the OCSD Steering Committee directed staff to stop all design work
and to explore other alternatives due to escalating construction cost estimates, a lack of
agreement with the City of Yorba Linda regarding the location of the pipe, and
opposition from residents due to the requirement of private property easements.
• In March 2002,five nationally recognized experts, representing a variety of disciplines,
reviewed 20 possible relocation and/or protection alternatives proposed for the SARI.
• The 20 alternatives were then narrowed to the eight most viable alternatives.
• The responsibilities including the preparation of the EIR/Supplemental Environment
Impact Study(SEIS), design, and construction for this project transitioned from OCSD to
the County of Orange Resources Development and Management Department(RDMD).
Page 27
• New EIR/SEIS is scheduled to be completed in June 2009 by the Army Corps
of Engineers.
• The key stakeholders, RDMD, OCSD,SAWPA, Orange County Water District and the
Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District have formed a
memorandum of understanding to monitor the progress of the project and to develop a
funding plan.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010 and be completed by 2012.
Page 28
Operations and Maintenance Department
IL
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Department operates and maintains OCSD's regional
wastewater collection,treatment,and disposal systems and related processes and facilities.
Estimated replacement value of the infrastructure assets managed was over$6 billion in 2008.
The department achieves safe and effective compliance with numerous Federal,State, and local
regulations. It has a budget of$105 million with 299 employees in eight divisions.
1. The O&M Administration Division has two employees consisting of the Director and the
Executive Assistant. Areas of strategic responsibility include policy, budget and program
compliance, performance monitoring, and trend reporting of O&M processes and
services.
2. The Collection Facilities O&M Division has 25 employees who are responsible for the safe
operations, maintenance, collection and conveyance of wastewater through the local and
regional sewers and collection facilities owned by OCSD. Work includes right-of-way
surface maintenance and surface marking (dig alert) of underground facilities. The
division also coordinates work with the satellite cities and sewering agencies OCSD serves.
3. The Facilities Maintenance Services Division has 34 employees who are responsible for
facilities maintenance, support services, overall management and support of the
Computer Maintenance Management System, its work orders, close out reporting and
materials planning. The division also manages fleet operations,tour bus services, crane
services, including motor pool management. It is also responsible for cost-effective asset
management with staff, numerous contractors and service providers who maintain
grounds,signage, structures, pavement, painting and coatings.
4. The O&M Process Engineering Division has 15 employees who provide technical support
for process optimization of the collection,treatment,and disposal systems covering air,
liquids and solids issues. The division also manages service contracts, coordinates
contingency plans and plans for short and long term O&M strategies to meet the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements as well as process needs for the
Groundwater Replenishment System. This division administers right-of-way management,
property management, corrosion assessment, and support for maintenance projects. The
division also hosts the agency wide Odor and Corrosion Control Committee.
Page 29
5. The Plant No. 1 Operations Division has 45 employees on a 24-hour basis and is
responsible for the operation of the wastewater treatment processes and biosolids
disposal activities at Reclamation Plant No. 1 in Fountain Valley.They coordinate
operational issues with the Orange County Water District related to their Advanced Water
Purification Systems and its residuals.This division also manages our 24-hour dispatch
center for collection system and treatment plant emergencies, including odor complaints
and calls from the public.
6. The Plant No. 2 Operations Division has 46 employees on a 24-hour basis and is
responsible for the operation of the wastewater treatment processes and biosolids
disposal activities at Treatment Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach, including managing and
treating flows diverted from Reclamation Plant No. 1 and operation of the ocean outfall
system and its two booster pump stations.
7. The Mechanical and Reliability Maintenance Division has 57 employees and is
responsible for mechanical maintenance and repair services of OCSD's plant processes
and facilities.The division is also responsible for agency wide programs and services that
include the rebuild shop providing mechanical rebuild and welding/fabrication services,
the reliability maintenance (condition monitoring) program and also hosts the agency
wide staff driven Asset Management Program.
8. The Instrumentation and Electrical Maintenance Division has 75 employees who
maintain OCSD assets and manage outsourced services. The division provides reliable
power distribution and utilization infrastructure for all OCSD facilities, including power
and process heat production from the Cogeneration Facilities. The division manages and
maintains the HVAC systems agency wide.They also maintain the field instrumentation,
communications infrastructure, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
systems to view and help operate the treatment plants and the 16 regional pump stations.
These SCADA systems include more than 25,000 physical devices connected to computer
systems with more than 92,000 derived data points and displays. The division produces
all process control software to ensure seamless and reliable integration of process
monitoring and controls on capital improvement projects.
Page 30
Key Issue — Chemical Supplies
Background
One of the major stressors on OCSD's chemical supply includes forces of nature. Most
recently,the infrastructure damage resulting from hurricane Ike in September 2008 impacted
a number of chemical production facilities in Texas. In turn, this affected the availability of
three chemicals that OCSD heavily relies on: hydrogen peroxide, sodium bisulfite, and ferrous
chloride.
For a short duration, we were able to scale back on the amount of hydrogen peroxide and
sodium bisulfite used without causing significant operational or performance problems.We
were able to obtain ferrous chloride from another supplier, but at a much higher price.
Overview and Current Actions
OCSD's operations are highly dependent on the addition of bulk chemicals,that serve to
control odors and corrosion in the collection system, treat odors in the air scrubbers at both
plants, improve settling of solids in the primary treatment process, improve recovery of solids
in the dissolved air flotation process, allow removal of water from post-digested solids, and
disinfect and dechlorinate the final effluent.We currently utilize 10 different chemicals in
bulk, and on a monthly basis, approximately 300 chemical tanker trucks deliver to OCSD's
plants and dosing locations throughout the collection system.
The chemical marketplace has been dramatically impacted over the past five years, most
recently by natural disasters and new global demands on raw materials. In addition, other
supply stressors include rail system interruptions nationally, corporate failure of base
chemical suppliers, and of raw material manufacturers who feed base chemical suppliers,
reduced competition, labor strikes, environmental regulations, and other unforeseen
occurrences. Although most wastewater agencies with chemical needs have been
experiencing similar situations, OCSD is proactively planning to develop contingencies for
short-term delays or complete stoppage of our base chemical family and also to review
available chemicals,technologies, emerging alternatives, and perform an assessment of
suppliers and risks.
Page 31
Our Purchasing and Contracts staff is actively working on the supply issues and on approaches
with O&M staff to deal with operational contingency plans to maintain regulatory compliance
and level of service goals in the event of supply interruptions. 0&M staff will finalize short-
term contingency plans in early 2009.The long-term strategic evaluation of new technologies
and supply issues will be completed in Fiscal Year 2009-10.
Page 32
Technical Services Department
Technical Services conducts and oversees the research activities for the agency along with
providing environmental support services to other departments, overseeing all regulatory
affairs and compliance issues related to air, land, and water quality protection as well as setting
and enforcing standards for businesses discharging to OCSD facilities. The Technical Services
Department has a budget of$19 million and 112 employees in four divisions.
1. The Technical Services Administration Division has four employees and provides
management of the department. The research program reports to the department head
and consists of two professional staff responsible for planning and implementing applied
research projects to achieve a current or future regulatory standard, reduce costs,
improve efficiency, or reduce compliance risk.
2. The Environmental Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Division has 19 employees who
are responsible for understanding the impact of OCSD's operations on public health and
the environment.This division focuses on tracking regulatory developments for air, land,
and water, and advocating for environmentally sound and cost-effective regulations. This
includes active participation in associations that represent our industries interest. The
division provides internal consulting with other divisions concerning regulatory and permit
requirements in order to achieve 100 percent compliance, along with ensuring that
required compliance reports are prepared and submitted on time. The division also
oversees offsite biosolids management operations, maintains the Biosolids EMS
Certification by the National Biosolids Partnership, and develops sustainable biosolids
management options including promoting in-county use of biosolids.
3. The Environmental Laboratory and Ocean Monitoring Division has 50 employees
responsible for providing laboratory services in support of operations, compliance, source
control, research,ocean monitoring, and groundwater recharge activities.This division
focuses on the impacts of OCSD's discharge to the marine environment; maintaining the
quality and improving the efficiency of our Ocean Monitoring Program; and researching
new and innovative ways to assess, potentially reduce and communicate environmental
impacts of our ocean discharge.
4. The Source Control Division has 39 employees responsible for administering and
enforcing OCSD's Ordinance and General Pretreatment Regulations.This division
administers extensive permitting, monitoring, inspection, compliance screening,follow-up
enforcement, and reporting programs to regulate industrial discharges into sewer
Page 33
facilities. During the past few years,the division's responsibilities and functions were
expanded to support the agency's goal of participating in the overall management of the
region's water resources including the Groundwater Replenishment System.This
expansion includes the addition of an Urban Runoff program, Fats, Oils and Grease
Program, and a Non-point Source Control Program, including a public outreach and
education program for pharmaceuticals and compounds of emerging concern.
Page 34
Key Issue — Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change JA
Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change
The issue of global climate change is gaining considerable interest from both the public and
policy makers. In 2006, the California Legislature passed and Governor Schwarzenegger signed
Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. AB 32 set a goal of
reducing greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020,with additional GHG
reductions planned through the year 2050. AB 32 targets the reduction of six greenhouse
gases; of which three, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4)and nitrous oxide (N2O) are
emitted during wastewater treatment. In addition, as a public agency with a mission to protect
public health and the environment, it is critical that that we take all reasonable steps to ensure
that our operations can continue to provide the expected level of service even in the face of
potential extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, and changing influent wastewater
characteristics resulting from climate change.
Background
In 2008, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)adopted a Scoping Plan outlining the State's
strategy to achieve the 2020 greenhouse gas emissions limit.The Scoping Plan does not
specifically address the wastewater industry by name but many recommended measures affect
it directly or indirectly. For example, power-producing combustion sources at publically owned
treatment works like our Central Generation System engines will be subject to mandatory
reporting of GHG emissions which may be followed by emission reductions. In addition, staff
expects that by 2015 the wastewater industry will be required to implement control measures
to reduce GHG emissions.
There is a limited amount of information available on the potential impacts to our operations
resulting from climate change. Organizations like the Water Environment Research Foundation
and EPA are conducting research and studies to access the impacts and vulnerabilities of
POTWs to climate change and OCSD staff is actively participating with these organizations.
Examples of potential impacts include reduced outfall pumping capacity due to sea level rise,
sewer spills due to extreme storm conditions, increased corrosion of sewers and structures, and
increased odors resulting from warmer water temperature and reduced flows, compliance
challenges due to changing ocean biota resulting from warmer temperatures and acidification
Page 35
from increased atmospheric COz levels. There is a significant uncertainty about if and when
these impacts will occur.
Current and Future Activities
Because climate change touches so many aspects of what OCSD does,the Board of Directors
has directed staff to undertake a strategic initiative called "Environmental Footprint' that will
bring the main components of climate change, namely greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to
the potential impacts of climate change and for California, regulatory compliance requirements,
into a coherent framework that will enable staff and the Board to understand the issues and
prioritize actions and limited staff resources.
As part of this strategic initiative, staff will compile all the"green" programs and actions that
have already been implemented by OCSD so that the public, Board and staff are aware of these
past and current efforts. We will also be determining the "environmental footprint' of our
facilities to establish a baseline by which changes to this baseline can be considered among
other factors when new or modified facilities are being proposed. Finally,staff will be
researching new technology and studying alternative business practices that would improve our
energy efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint and will be taking proposals to the
Board for their consideration.
Page 36
Key Issue — Central Power Generation Engines im
Central Power Generation Engines
OCSD meets the majority of its power demand through the combustion of digester gas in the
Central Generation System (CGS) engines located at both treatment plants. Digester gas is
produced onsite through the decomposition of solids separated from the wastewater stream.
The CGS engines are highly regulated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD)and must meet stringent emission standards for common pollutants. These
emission standards will become even more stringent in 2012, and then likely again in the
following years.The Board has also directed staff to reduce the impact of air toxic emissions
originating from the CGS engines to below SCAQMD standards that require annual notification
to the surrounding community. Our CGS engines are expected to exceed this annual
notification standard after additional secondary treatment facilities are installed to meet our
consent decree with EPA.
Meeting both the common pollutant and toxic emissions standards will require the application
of new technologies that have not been proven to work on digester gas fired engines.This will
require staff to evaluate the availability and technical feasibility of technologies that can meet
the 2012 standard, and hopefully also meet a future,yet unknown even lower standard.
Background
In 2008, the SCAQMD amended Rule 1110.2 to reduce common pollutant emissions of Carbon
Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen and Volatile Organic Compounds from internal combustion
engines that affect the South Coast Air Basin's ability to meet the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.This rule amendment affects our eight CGS engines (three at Plant 1 and five at Plant
2)that currently do not meet the standards, which will become effective in July 2012.
Current and Future Activities
Staff commissioned a pilot study on one of the CGS engines to evaluate the feasibility of a
technology that could enable the CGS engine to meet the new 2012 standards and reduce air
toxic emissions to below levels that require community notification.The conclusions drawn
from the pilot study were that the required reduction to meet the future emission limits could
be achieved and toxic emissions reduction is likely, but an additional emission control system
would be required for the CGS engines to meet the expected future emission limits.
Page 37
A pilot study of the proposed technology will be conducted on a CGS engine at Plant 1.This
emission control system is an established technology but there is a very limited amount of data
on its performance for digester gas fired engines that contain compounds known to foul the
equipment.The pilot study is planned to begin next spring and completed in 2010. If successful,
implementation for all engines should be completed by 2014. Since Rule 1110.2 requires
compliance by 2012, staff will have to advocate re-opening the Rule and having the compliance
date extended, or pursuing a variance from SCAQMD that could involve payment of fees for
unabated emissions.
The cost of the pilot study is estimated at$3,400,000.The complete cost of meeting the
SCAQMD regulations is estimated at$33 million.
Page 38
Finance and Administrative Services Department
IL
The Finance and Administrative Services Department oversees all accounting, contracts,
purchasing, information technology and human resources activities. The department has a
budget of$19 million and includes 99 employees in five divisions.
1. The Administrative Services Division has four employees and is managed by the Director
of Finance and Administrative Services. The director is responsible for the oversight and
management of the department as well as working closely with the General Manager's
Office to provide ongoing support on all fiscal and administrative issues.
2. The Financial Management Division has 19 employees and is responsible for the financial
oversight and administration of all OCSD funds and accounts. The division also
administers treasury management, including debt financing and risk management
programs, processing cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, user fees,
payroll, accounting for fixed assets, and coordinating the capital and operating budget
process throughout OCSD.
3. The Contracts, Purchasing,& Materials Management Division has 29 employees who are
responsible for contract administration and procurement for all OCSD departments. The
division also manages OCSD's warehouses, receiving and maintaining inventory, and
distributing supplies, materials and equipment.
4. The Human Resources Division has 16 employees and is responsible for employee
development and training, staffing programs, compensation and classification activities,
benefits, labor relations and collective bargaining.
S. The Information Technology Division has 31 employees who administer OCSD's global
need for IT resources. The division works with internal customers to develop technology
solutions to meet their operating and strategic goals. IT is responsible for selecting and
developing secure technology solutions, implementing and maintaining the hardware and
software assets, and providing a Help Desk and Reprographic Center to support all
departments.
Page 39
Key Issue — Financial Issues Impacting OCSD and its Ratepayers
Financial Issues Impacting OCSD and its Ratepayers
Currently,the State faces a budget shortfall which is estimated to be between $10 and $40
billion. As a result, OCSD may be impacted should the State elect to reallocate property tax
revenue currently dedicated for special districts.
Background:
OCSD receives approximately$65 million in property taxes each year.These funds are
dedicated for the payment of debt service. However, as a result of the ongoing instability in
California's budget,these funds are under increasing threat of being taken to balance the
State's needs. In 2004 and 2005, OCSD lost$30 million of its property tax revenue to help the
State balance its budget.
This level of reduction would mandate a corresponding reduction in service, and increase in
rates or an increase in debt issuances.
Many in Sacramento and around California openly advocate that special districts should not
receive any portion of the ad valorem property taxes because of their rate-making ability and
float proposals to permanently take these property taxes away.
Currently, OCSD's residential rates average less than $17 per month, one of the lowest rates in
the state. However,to fund OCSD's current capital improvement program,the agency's
financing plan includes rate adjustments and capital debt financing. These revenue sources are
required to maintain the current level of service and complete the capital improvement
program. Annual rate increases will average 10 percent over the next four years.
In making rate determinations, the above information along with the following issues must be
considered by the Board:
• Operating and Other Expenses—It is anticipated that OCSD's operating expenses will
grow 6.5 percent annually for the next several years,with some crucial operating
elements(chemicals)growing at a much faster rate. Without constant monitoring,these
increases will surpass OCSD's revenue streams.
Page 40
• Bond-Rating—OCSD's "AAA" Rating from Standard and Poor's is the highest rating a
government agency can receive.To maintain its rating, OCSD adheres to its current Debt
Policy and coverage ratios requirements.This Board-adopted policy serves as the agency's
guide in the management of existing debt and in the issuance of future debt. Using
additional debt instead of raising rates will jeopardize OCSD's strong rating.
Staff continues to do their part in keeping rates as low as possible, including annual
reviews of its operating and capital improvement programs.
Page 41
Government Affairs
om
Michael Gold is OCSD's Government Affairs Manager. He tracks State and Federal issues and
the actions taken by staff and lobbyists promoting OCSD's interests in Sacramento and
Washington, D.C.
He also serves as the link between the Board of Directors, management, lobbyists and other
stakeholders.
The Board of Directors has adopted a set of goals for the legislative program for 2009 and
receives monthly updates on these and other legislative matters affecting the agency and its
operations.
OCSD currently contracts with the following lobbyists:
Federal Lobbying Team -
ENS Resources:
Eric Sapirstein (202)466-3755 esap@ensresources.com
Sacramento Lobbying Team -
Townsend Public Affairs:
Christopher Townsend (949) 399-9050 ctownsend@townsendpa.com
Heather Dion (949) 399-9050 hdion@townsendpa.com
Page 42
2009 Legislative Platform and Goals
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Page 43
Legislative Affairs Team
OCSD Staff
Michael Gold Ph: (714)593-7529 mgold@ocsd.com
Government Affairs Manager Cell: (714)263-5541
Robert Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rghirelli@ocsd.com
Assistant General Manager
James D. Ruth (714)593-7110 jruth@ocsd.som
General Manager
Federal Lobbying Team
Eric Sapirstein (202)466-3755 esap@
ENS Resources ensresources.com
Sacramento Lobbying Team
Townsend Public Affairs
Christopher Townsend (949)399-9050 ctownsend@
TownsendPA.com
Heather Dion (949)399-9050 hdion@
TownsendPA.com
Page 44
Introduction
The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD)recognizes the need for an active State and Federal
legislative advocacy program to ensure the interests of the ratepayer and Board of Directors are
protected. Towards that end,the legislative affairs team monitors activities in Sacramento and
Washington, D.C. and takes appropriate action in support or opposition of legislative initiatives.
Each year,the Board of Directors adopts a Legislative Platform,which is a summary of goals, key issues
and OCSD's policy position. The following legislative policies have been developed by OCSD staff and
legislative advocates in consideration of OCSD service area cities' and policy needs.These Board-
approved policies serve as OCSD's official positions of support or opposition on issues of importance to
the agency. The Legislative Platform is a dynamic document, adopted annually and changing to the
needs of the Board.
The legislative affairs team, in conjunction with the Board, may take appropriate action consistent with
the Legislative Platform,including, but not limited to,drafting letters, lobbying legislators and staff and
crafting bills.
Procedure for Taking Positions on Bills
1. Staff will track bills of greatest interest to the District, particularly those that fall within the goals
and objectives identified by the Board of Directors. Staff will monitor bills being watched by
similar agencies in Orange County(OCW D, MWDOC,etc.) as well as State Agencies such as
California Association of Sanitation Agencies(CASA),the California Special Districts Association
(CSDA)and the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA).
2. For those bills that are being tracked where there is clear policy direction stated in the Board-
adopted Legislative Platform or adopted goals,staff can send letters and give direction to the
lobbyists to advocate that position.
3. Where a particular issue is not urgent,all legislative letters will be hand-signed by the Chair or
Vice-Chair. If a matter is urgent,staff may use the signature stamp,so long as a clear policy
direction exists.
4. A summary of bills being tracked will be presented to the Steering Committee monthly.
S. When a bill does not fall within the scope of the Legislative Platform or is a politically
controversial issue,staff will seek direction from the Steering Committee.
6. If a bill does not fall within the scope of the Legislative Platform, but the California Association of
Sanitary Agencies(CASA),the California Special Districts Association (CSDA)or the National
Association of Clean Water Agencies(NACWA) has an adopted position,staff may follow this
position but must inform the Steering Committee of such action at the next regularly scheduled
meeting.
Page 45
State and Federal Legislative Goals for 2008
Funding Priorities
• Aggressively pursue infrastructure stimulus funding for one or more priority projects through
both the Federal and State governments.
• Continue seeking an appropriation from Congress for Secondary Treatment upgrades in advance
of the 2012 deadline.
• Request a general authorization for funding priorities in the Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA)or other related legislation.
• Pursue funding for fuel cell power generation.
• Seek an appropriation through Congress to fund the relocation of the Santa Ana River
Interceptor(SARI) line.
Policy Goals
• Aggressively fight any property tax shift from Sacramento by working with the Orange County
Water District, CASA and other partners.
• Monitor any proposed changes to the Federal Clean Water Act.
• Monitor Congress for a revised energy bill for possible impacts to OCSD
• Monitor climate change legislation at both the State and Federal levels.
Page 46
Federal and State Legislative Policies
1. Air Quality:OCSD is committed to complying with federal,state,and local air quality laws and
rules. OCSD is further committed to establishing an odor policy to assure that the district is a
good neighbor to the surrounding communities.Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support air quality legislation that emphasizes the use of advance technologies and
applicable market incentives,and incentives for the use of alternative fuels and the
development of the infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles.
b. Support measures that maintain and enhance local decision-making authority,where
appropriate,in the development and implementation of air quality attainment
strategies.
c. Support legislation to ensure greater consistency between the California and Federal
Clean Air Acts; including the need to demonstrate cost-effective public health or
environmental benefit if California elects to exceed federal standards.
d. Support strategies that clearly demonstrate and provide for the most cost-effective
means for meeting air quality goals.
e. Support, in concept, legislation that would utilize incentives and pricing strategies as a
preferred alternative to traditional command and control regulations for meeting
emission reduction objectives for all sources.
f. Oppose actions that preclude implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan
(AQMP)to the extent that such actions could subject the basin to sanction or
conformity penalties.
2. Biosolids:OCSD strives to beneficially use biosolids through multiple management options
performed at reasonable costs that are protective of public health and the environment.
Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support legislation that supports the use of biosolids as on non-food production
agricultural lands.
b. Support policies that encourage biosolids product use by horticulture and retail
consumers.
c. Oppose legislation that bans the use of biosolids for land application in any region,
county,or state.
d. Support science-based legislation that establishes a state-wide regulatory system for
biosolids management.
3. Grant Funding:OCSD is committed to offsetting its research,special projects and wastewater
infrastructure project and construction costs by obtaining funding through grants and
cooperative agreements.Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support appropriations legislation, bonds, programs,and projects that provide funding
for infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, special studies and research or
Page 47
projects relating to security, environmental education,water quality,wastewater
processing, urban runoff,water conservation, and water recycling.
b. Support projects that provide for public benefit, over projects that are primarily
intended for private benefit or gain.
c. Support continued federal funding for protecting and realigning the Santa Ana River
Interceptor project and for secondary treatment upgrades.
d. Oppose proposals placing further requirements on grant recipients that return low value
for high administrative costs.
4. Labor Relations:OCSD is committed to the exercise of and provision of orderly procedures for
the administration of employer-employee relations, including, but not limited to, meeting and
conferring in good faith with recognized employee organizations regarding the wages, hours of
work,and other terms and conditions of employment.Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support measures to reform current workers compensation formulas to rely on higher
thresholds for compensation or a proportionate exposure formula.
b. Support health insurance reform that does not create additional financial burdens on
special districts.
c. Support measures to ease applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act(FLSA)on public
agencies.
d. Oppose any measure imposing compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to
public employees.
e. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits
that are more properly decided at the local bargaining table.
f. Oppose efforts reducing local control over public employee disputes and imposing
regulations on an outside agency.
g. Oppose any measure granting public employees the right to strike.
h. Oppose a new mandatory Social Security tax for public employers and public employees.
5. Planning:OCSD ensures the long-range planning of capital improvement programs in order to
deliver the highest quality facilities.Therefore, OCSD shall:
a. Support reform of existing state, regional,and local planning processes only if directly
linked to reforms in the current revenue and tax structure of state and local
governments.
b. Support measures that provide new revenues for growth management and the public
facilities necessary to support expected growth.
c. Support proposals encouraging regional,sub-regional or countywide cooperation in
planning urban development strategies,especially those that provide funding for
effective implementation of agreed upon goals.
Page 48
d. Oppose legislation consolidating special districts that fail to address the concerns of
cities affected by the proposed consolidation.
e. Oppose measures that prevent or restrict the ability of cities or special districts to
participate in the Southern California Association of Governments' (SLAG)sub-regional
process.
6. Public Health: Protection of public health is OCSD's core mission. OCSD will work cooperatively
with county and state health officers to assure local health protection.Therefore, OCSD shall:
a. Support hazard mitigation,emergency response, planning and recovery through direct
legislation, policy directives and funding toward floodplain security within the Santa Ana
River watershed.
b. Support(generally) measures that provide for improved public health through
regulation.
c. Support the protection of public health through the construction and implementation of
advanced wastewater treatment technology.
7. Public Works:OCSD is committed to the achievement of effective and efficient projects that
provide wastewater treatment services that benefit its ratepayers.Therefore, OCSD shall:
a. Support measures that provide funding and support to publicly owned treatment works
and sewerage collection systems.
b. Support legislation that allows public agencies to procure goods and services in manners
similar to private industry,thereby reducing overall costs of delivery.
c. Support legislation that improves the Utility Underground Service Alert Program in order
to improve coordination, identification, minimize damage,minimize environmental risks
and minimize cost exposure to publicly owned facilities when contractors are
performing sub-surface work.
d. Support a comprehensive response to the State's electricity and natural gas shortages
that provide a stable energy supply, respects the ability of municipalities to provide
power, recognizes that infrastructure(i.e. emergency and standby generators)exists
that could be employed temporarily during weak periods with minimal air quality
impact and protects ratepayers(including cities and special districts)against dramatic
rate increases and statewide power outages.
e. Support legislation that allows OCSD to utilize the Best Value Design/Build option for the
construction of public works projects.
R. Revenue and Taxation:Track pending legislation to ensure OCSD remains in compliance with
the government code as it pertains to wastewater system user fees and property tax revenues
and the investment of public funds.Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support measures leading to a greater financial independence from the state and would
result in greater stability and predictability in local government budgeting.
Page 49
b. Oppose measures that impose mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local
reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
c. Oppose legislation that shifts tax revenues away from local governments without the
adequate provision of a constitutionally guaranteed backfill to offset the lost revenues
of those local governments.
d. Oppose measures that allow state retention of existing local revenue sources, including
the special district share of property tax,sales tax,vehicle license fees and rate payer
fees.
e. Oppose the use of revenues traditionally used to fund the delivery of municipal services
to fund programs for which the state is responsible, particularly the courts, health, and
welfare programs.
9. Special Districts:OCSD supports the maintenance of special districts to provide specific services,
in response citizen's demands,in a cost effective manner.Therefore,OCSD shall:
a. Support outreach to local, regional, and state elected officials to foster a greater
understanding regarding the critical relationship between adequate reserves and the
successful short-and-long-term operation of water and wastewater agencies.
b. Supportthe work of the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA),California
Association of Sanitation Agencies(CASA), and California Special Districts Association
(CSDA) in any future discussions or negotiations pertaining to the legislative and budget
issues relative to preserving control of members' reserves.
c. Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing and
operations.
d. Oppose measures that create or grant powers to sub-regional or regional bodies that
would result in an infringement on clearly local concerns.
e. Oppose any administrative or legislative efforts to access or transfer any reserve funds
held by water and wastewater districts.
f. Oppose the imposition of unfunded, mandated programs on local governments.
10. Water Quality and Supply:OCSD is committed to participating collaboratively in the protection
of regional water resources for the benefit of the people we serve. Therefore, OCSD shall:
a. Support continued federal and state funding for the Santa Ana River Interceptor
Relocation project.
b. Support(generally) measures to increase water supply and improve water quality inthe
region.
c. Support measures that would increase funding for water reuse technologies,including
support for the Groundwater Replenishment System project by the Orange County
Water District and OCSD to create new water supplies through recycling.
Page 50
d. Support U.S.Army Corps of Engineers projects for Orange County regarding watershed
and water quality protection and sand replenishment.
e. Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water.
f. Support"watershed-based"solutions,including cost-shared studies with the US Army
Corps of Engineers of water quality impairments that reflect state-of-the-art science.
g. Support policy development,funding, and research for addressing urban runoff and
beach closures, including funding for studies that identify the sources of bacterial,viral
and other contaminants and human pathogens.
h. Support measures to evaluate water quality standards,as needed,to ensure the
objectives are appropriately protecting the designated use.
i. Support measures to develop a state-wide consistent policy for total maximum daily
load (TMDL) listing and delisting.
j. Support State General Fund subventions and Bond revenue to special districts for local
and regional efforts that educate the public on urban runoff,which provide for long-
term capital improvements(like storm drain diversions and filters),and encourage
municipalities to implement Urban Runoff Best Management Practices at the local level.
k. Support legislation that would retain any Regional Board fines levied against a permit
violator within the Region of the fine.
I. Support legislation that provides"amnesty"from administrative civil liability(ACL)fines
from Regional Boards for agencies participating in comprehensive watershed studies
that will,when complete, address the problem that resulted in the ACL fine.
m. Support efforts,including legislation,clarifying that Regional Water Quality Control
Board rules that require spending funds are unfunded mandates.
n. Support measures addressing non-point source pollution in order to protect our ocean
water quality and provide funding to mitigate its effects.
o. Support measures for alternative energy sources.
p. Support efforts to reduce the toxic and non-reusable waste load.
q. Support legislation and regulations that promote improved water use efficiency in
construction of water efficient buildings and communities.
r. Support legislation that promotes improved water use efficiency through state and
federal assistance in evaluating and implementing new programs and technologies and
increasing public awareness of water use efficiency.
s. Support legislation that provides for groundwater management on a local level,with
respect to coordination of programs,extraction and production rights,long-term
protection and groundwater quality protection.
t. Support legislation that provides for the development of the watershed approach,
including watershed management plans and watershed based permitting.
u. Oppose proposed environmental constraints on government agencies that would result
in economic damage to the region while providing only minimal protections.
Page 51
v. Oppose efforts to make all NPDES permits the same. Requirements of other permits
may be too onerous or not applicable. OCSD's permit should be tailored to the Orange
County region and watershed.
w. Oppose the imposition of statewide/nationwide fees for environmental cleanup that is
privately caused or regional in nature (e.g.,when the nexus between those responsible
for environmental abuse and those required to pay for cleanup or mitigation is absent).
x. Support measures supporting urban runoff studies and urban runoff reduction.
y. Support Coastal Water Quality efforts to ensure that clean beach projects remain a top
priority for the state,whether through negotiations on upcoming resources bonds,in
setting of legislative priorities, implementation of funding programs, and in any other
relevant process.
Page 52
OCSD's Public Information Office exists to promote key messages and educate a variety of
audiences about the programs and issues that impact OCSD and its ratepayers. Through a
variety of methods, we focus our efforts in five key areas:
Internal Communications
We view our employees, management and Board of Directors as key audiences and reach out
to them through OCSD's intranet, employee newsletter, special events, responding to email
inquiries, counseling divisions on communication issues and through the coordination of all-
hands meetings.
External Communications
We communicate to several key external audiences through our Web site, community
newsletter, media relations, management of the Administration lobby reception and
conference room functions,the production of educational videos and public service
announcements. We use these and other methods to inform them about programs such as
Biosolids, FOG, and Pharmaceuticals as well as key issues that include our budget and rates,
odor and air quality, construction, and regional programs and policies.
Public Education and Outreach
We actively engage in education and outreach activities that include a substantial employee
volunteer program, participation in large scale community events,a Sewer Science program we
teach in area high schools, a formal Speaker's Bureau and by hosting more than 100 tours
annually.
Construction Outreach
Because OCSD has so many construction projects in various stages of development, we conduct
a separate outreach program to meet the unique needs of residents and businesses impacted
by our multi-billion dollar Capital Improvement Program. This work includes special community
meetings, construction flyers and notices, open houses,web postings and managing a
construction hotline.
Page 53
Special Projects
PIO is asked to work on projects that are unique and one-of-a-kind.These include special
projects such as remodeling the Administration lobby area, participating in multi-agency
projects and programs, and working with the Orange County Water District to promote the
Groundwater Replenishment System.
Page 54
The OCSD Web site www.ocsd.com
A helpful tool for Board Members
Several areas of the Web site are particularly helpful for locating information and keeping up on
OCSD activities.
1. The Construction Section
• Service area map with hyperlinks to construction projects
• Environmental impact reports
• Construction project fact sheets
• Resident notifications
2. The Document Center
Simply use the search box to find the item you need. If you cannot locate a document or
it is older than one year, email forinformation@ocsd.com.
• OCSD reports
• Strategic plans
• Lab results
• Publications
• Fact sheets
• General OCSD Information
• Ocean Monitoring
• Disinfection
• Biosolids and Compost
• Odor
• Construction Projects
• California Environmental Quality Act
• Fats, Oils and Grease
• Power Generation
• Urban Runoff
3. E-Notify
E-notify is a subscription service. An email is sent directly to your inbox to notify you
of the latest information. Sign up to receive information on:
• Board and Committee meetings
• Construction projects
• Press releases
• Biosolids information
4. Virtual Tour of Wastewater Process
Under"Education"this interactive graphic will give you a quick refresher of the
wastewater treatment process.
S. Board Information
• List of board members with a link to their city/agency Web site
• Board and committee agendas and minutes
The Web site is full of information regarding OCSD and our programs. Take a look and explore
the site.
www.ocsd.com
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
AMSA Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (now NACWA)
ANSI American National Standards Institute
APT Advanced Primary Treatment
AQMD Air Quality Management District
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers
BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand
CARB California Air Resources Board
CASA California Association of Sanitation Agencies
CCTV Closed-Circuit Television
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CEPT Chemically Enhanced Primary Treatment
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CIP Capital Improvement Program
CMP Corrosion Management Program
CMS Content Management System
CMMS Computerized Maintenance Management System
COE Corps of Engineers
COP Certificates of Participation
CRWQCB California Regional Water Quality Control Board
CWA Clean Water Act
CWEA California Water Environment Association
DART District's Assessment and Reinvention Team
DHS Department of Health Services
D/T Dilutions to Threshold
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EMT Executive Management Team
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EQ biosolids Exceptional Quality Biosolids
FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease
Ft/min Feet per minute
gpd Gallons per day
gpd/ft' Gallons per day per square foot
GIB Geographic Information System
GWR System Groundwater Replenishment System (also called GWRS)
H,S Hydrogen Sulfide
HVAC Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning
IERP Integrated Emergency Response Plan
1/I Inflow and Infiltration
JOS Joint Outfall Sewer
K lb/day Thousand pounds per day
kW Kilowatt
kWh Kilowatt hour
lb/day Pounds per day
lb/dry ton Pounds per dry ton
LOS Level of Service
MGD Million gallons per day
mg/kg Milligrams per kilogram
mg/L Milligrams per liter
mL/L Milliliter per liter
MW Megawatt
NACWA National Association of Clean Water Agencies
NASSCO National Association of Sewer Service Companies
NCY North County Yard
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRC National Research Council
NTP Notice to Proceed
O&M Operations and Maintenance
OCBC Orange County Business Council
OCFCD Orange County Flood Control District
OCHCA Orange County Health Care Agency
U.
OCSD Orange County Sanitation District
OCWD Orange County Water District
DES Office of Emergency Services
OOBS Ocean Outfall Booster Station
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
pH Measure of acidity or alkalinity
PEPS Primary Effluent Pumping System
PIE Public Information and Education (Committee for GWR System)
PIO Public Information Office
POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works
ppm Parts per million
ppmv Parts per million volume
RAS Return Activated Sludge
RCM Reliability Centered Maintenance
RDMD Resources and Development Management Department (Orange County)
RFI Request for Information
RFP Request for Proposal
IRS Regional Services
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
SARBS Santa Ana River Basin Section (of the CWEA)
SARI Santa Ana River Inceptor
SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board
SAWPA Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system
SCAG Southern California Association of Governments
SCAP Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SIP Safety Incentive Program
SOCWA South Orange County Wastewater Authority
SSMP Sanitary Sewer Management Plan
SSO Sanitary Sewer Overflow
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
f
TBOD Total Biochemical Oxygen Demand
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
TS Total Solids
TSS Total Suspended Solids
to Toxic units
VCP Vitrified Clay Pipe
VIP Volunteer Incentive Program
WAS Waste Activated Sludge
WDR Waste Discharge Requirements
WEF Water Environment Federation
WERF Water Environment Research Foundation
v
OCSD STANDARD TERMS
Acre Foot
The amount of water required to cover one acre to a depth of one foot; equal to 43,560 cubic
feet of water or 326,000 gallons.
Activated Sludge (A.S.)
Sludge withdrawn from a secondary clarifier following the activated sludge process, consisting
mainly of agglomerated particles made up of both living and dead microorganisms, and small
amounts of inorganic matter. Return sludge is recycled to the head of the process; waste
(excess) sludge is removed for digestion.
Activated Sludge Process
A biological wastewater treatment process in which a mixture of wastewater and activated
sludge is agitated and aerated to hasten the breakdown of organic matter in sewage.The
activated sludge is settled out of the treated wastewater and is returned to the process as
needed to seed the process,while the remainder is pumped to the sludge digesters.
Adsorption
(1)The adherence of a gas, liquid, or dissolved material on the surface of a solid. (2)An
increase in concentration of gas or solute at the interface of a two-phase system. Should not
be confused with absorption.
Ad Valorem Tax
A portion of the basic tax allocated for the benefit of an individual District on the assessed
value of land and improvements within its boundaries, exclusive of bonded indebtedness.
Advanced Primary
Physical chemical treatment that improves primary clarifier efficiency through the use of
chemical coagulants to aggregate and remove small particles.
v
Advanced Waste Treatment
Any physical, chemical or biological treatment process used to accomplish a degree of
treatment greater than that achieved by secondary treatment, usually including nutrient
removal, desalination, disinfection,etc.
Aeration
The mixing of air and a liquid by one or more of the following methods: (1) spraying the liquid
in the air; (2) bubbling air through the liquid; (3) agitating the liquid to promote surface
absorption of air. Pure oxygen is sometimes used to increase the rate of removal in secondary
treatment processes that use aeration.
Aeration Tanks
Large basins used to mix and aerate wastewater in the Activated Sludge process.
Aerobic
Environmental conditions characterized by the presence of dissolved oxygen; used to
describe biological or chemical processes that occur in the presence of oxygen.
Aerobic Bacteria
Bacteria that grow only in the presence of oxygen.
Aerobic Digestion
The breakdown of suspended and dissolved organic matter in the presence of oxygen.
Air Scrubber
Used in cleaning air to remove malodorous compounds.
Anaerobic
A condition in which "free" (atmospheric) or dissolved oxygen is not present in water.
Anaerobic Bacteria
Bacteria that grow only in the absence of free elemental oxygen.
Anaerobic Digestion
The degradation of organic matter brought about through the action of microorganisms in the
absence of elemental oxygen.
vi
Aquifer
A porous,water-bearing geologic formation of permeable rock,sand or gravel. Generally
restricted to materials capable of yielding an appreciable water supply.
Assessed Value
A portion of the total assessed value of the land and improvements upon which taxes are
collected and allocated.
Average Daily Flow
In wastewater applications,the total flow past a point over a period of time divided by the
number of days in that period of time, usually one year.
Average Demand
The total demand of water during a period of time divided by the number of days in that time
period.This is also called the Average Daily Demand.
Backflow
(1) A flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure,which causes the flow of water or
other liquid into the distribution pipes of a potable water supply from any source or sources
otherthan its intended source. (2)The backing up of waterthrough a conduit or channel in
the direction opposite to normal flow.
Bar Screen
The first treatment process encountered by water entering a treatment plant.A screen
composed of parallel bars, standing vertically and slightly inclined, designed to trap debris
from wastewater.The screenings are raked upward automatically.
Basin
A shallow depression or tank through which liquids may be passed or in which they are
detained for treatment or storage.
Belt Filter Press
A biosolids/sludge dewatering device that applies mechanical pressure to a chemically
conditioned slurry, which is sandwiched between two tensioned belts, by passing those belts
through a serpentine of decreasing diameter rolls.The machine can actually be divided into
three zones: gravity zone,where free draining water is drained by gravity through a porous
va
belt;wedge zone,where the solids are prepared for pressure application; and pressure zone,
where medium, then high pressure is applied to the conditioned solids.
Benthic
Relating to the bottom or bottom environment of a body of water.
Benthos
Organisms that live on or in the bottom of bodies of water.
Bight
A wide gentle curve or indentation of the coast, commonly between two headlands.The
Southern California Bight extends from Point Conception south to Cabo Colnett in Baja
Mexico.The Los Angeles Bight is roughly a region from Point Fermin to Dana Point.
Bioaccumulation
General term describing a process by which chemicals are taken up by aquatic organisms from
water directly or through consumption of food containing the chemicals. Generally implied is
a concentration gradient whereby the tissue concentration reaches hundreds, or thousands of
times that in the environment,via an active process of uptake.
Bioassay
(1) An assay method using a change in biological activity as a quantitative means of analyzing
a material's response to biological treatment. (2) A method of determining toxic effects of
industrial wastes and other wastewaters by using viable organisms.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (SOD)
Abbreviated BOD;the quantity of oxygen needed by bacteria during the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter, usually expressed in parts per million.Also,the standard laboratory test
used to measure BOD.
Biological Filtration
The process of passing a liquid through a biological filter containing fixed media on the
surfaces of which develop zoogleal films that absorb and adsorb fine, suspended, colloidal,
and dissolved solids and release end products of biochemical action. Also called Biofiltration.
viil
Biological Wastewater Treatment
Various forms of wastewater treatment in which bacterial or biochemical action is intensified
to stabilize and oxidize the unstable organic matter present. Examples are:trickling filters,
sludge digestion, activated sludge processes and sand filters.
Biomass
The dry or wet mass per unit volume or area of biological material or organisms found by
sampling a system.
Biosolids
Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic matter resulting from the treatment of wastewater.
Biosolids result when the suspended and dissolved solids in wastewater(sewage sludge)are
settled through the treatment process.These solids are then treated to remove pathogens
(germs that cause disease). Biosolids can be recycled and applied directly to farm fields, like
fertilizer,to improve and maintain productive soils and stimulate plant growth or processed
through various technologies, such as composting, lime stabilization and fuel production.
Biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS)
A biosolids EMS is a structured approach for managing a biosolids program based on ISO
14001. The biosolids EMS was customized by the National Biosolids Partnership (a
partnership between the Water Environment Federation, National Association of Clean Water
Agencies, and the Environmental Protection Agency)and developed to help minimize how
biosolids management operations impact the environment(cause adverse changes to air,
water, or land). In July 2003, OCSD was the first agency in the nation to be certified for a
Biosolids EMS.
Bonded Debt
That portion of the indebtedness of an enterprise represented by outstanding bonds.
Butterfly Valve
A valve, in which the disk, as it opens or closes, rotates about a spindle supported by the
framed of the valve.The valve is opened at a stem.At full opening, the disk is in a position
parallel to the axis of the conduit.
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Bypassing
The diversion of a flow of water or wastewater around processes or structures through which
the flow normally passes,often used. Also used to describe the diversion of raw wastewater
to a receiving body of water.
California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB)
The state water quality agency that provides regulatory oversight of various water quality
activities including the operation of the Sanitation Districts' wastewater management
program. (See RWQCB)
California Ocean Plan
Also known as the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California. First approved
in 1972,the Ocean Plan was revised in 1977, 1983, 1987 and 1990. It sets ocean water quality
objectives for pollutants; proscribes general requirements for management of waste
discharge to the ocean; sets effluent quality requirements for waste dischargers; and prohibits
discharges of specific contaminants.
Capital Assets
Assets of a relatively permanent nature.
Capital Expenditures
Expenditures which result in the acquisition of, or the addition to,capital (or fixed) assets.
Capital Facilities Connection Charge
The one-time payment of a fee, imposed by the Board of Directors to pay for the future costs
of constructing new sewerage collection,treatment, and disposal facilities;the replacement,
rehabilitation, or reconstruction of existing facilities; and as a contributive share of the cost of
the existing facilities. Said charge shall be paid by all property owners at the time they
develop the property and connect directly or indirectly to the District sewerage facilities as a
new system user. This charge is expressly authorized by the provisions of California Health
and Safety Code Sections 5471 and 5474.
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Capital Facilities Replacement Service Charge
A charge imposed on a user of the treatment works, pursuant to Sections 302.6(F)2, 303.6(F)2
or 304.6(B)2 of this Ordinance, which may be used to recover the costs of operation and
maintenance,which charges shall be allocated to the District's Operating Fund.
CenGen
Central Power Generation
Centrifugal Pump
A pump consisting of an impeller fixed on a rotating shaft and enclosed in a casing, and having
an inlet and a discharge connection.The rotating impeller creates pressure in the liquid by the
velocity derived from centrifugal force.
Change Orders
Documents issued by the buyer to the contractor to change the amount of work to be
performed within the general scope of the contract.
Charge For Use
A charge established and levied by the District upon residential, commercial and industrial
users in proportion to the use of the treatment works by their respective class, providing for
the operation and maintenance expenses, capital facilities rehabilitation or replacement, and
adequate reserves for the sewage treatment works.
Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD)
A quantitative measure of the amount of oxygen required for the chemical oxidation of
carbonaceous (organic) material in wastewater using inorganic dichromate or permanganate
salts as oxidants in a two-hour test.
Chemical Treatment
Any wastewater treatment process involving the addition of chemicals to obtain a desired
result such as precipitation, coagulation,flocculation,sludge conditioning, disinfection or odor
control.
Chironomldae
Common trickling filter fly, non-biting midges
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Chlorination
The application of chlorine compounds to wastewater generally for the purpose of
disinfection, but frequently for chemical oxidation and odor control. Chlorine residual is toxic
to organisms (fish) and may be controlled by dechlorination processes, e.g., by adding sulfur
oxide.
Chlorine
An element ordinarily existing as a greenish-yellow gas 2.5 times as heavy as air.At
atmospheric pressure and a temperature of-30.1 degrees Fahrenheit,the gas becomes an
amber liquid about 1.5 times as heavy as water.The chemical symbol is Cl, its atomic weight is
35.457, and its molecular weight is 70,914.
Chlorination
The application of chlorine or chlorine compounds to wastewater generally for the purpose of
disinfection, but frequently for chemical oxidation and odor control. Chlorine residual is toxic
to organisms (fish) and may be controlled by dechlorination processes, e.g., by adding sulfur
dioxide.
Clarifier
Any large circular or rectangular sedimentation tank or basin used to remove settleable solids
from wastewater.
Class A Biosolids
Material that has met the Class A pathogen reduction requirements or equivalent treatment
by a Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) in accordance with 40 CFR 503. Processes
include composting, heat drying, heat treatment,thermophilic aerobic digestion, beta or
gamma ray irradiation and pasteurization.
Class B Biosolids
Material that has met the Class B pathogen reduction requirements or equivalent treatment
by a Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens(PSRP) in accordance with 40 CFR 503.
Processes include aerobic digestion, composting, anaerobic digestion, lime stabilization and
air drying.
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Class I User
Any user who discharges wastewater that: (1) is subject to Federal Categorical Pretreatment
Standards; or(2) averages 25,000 gallons per day or more of regulated process wastewater;
or(3) is determined by the General Manager to have a reasonable potential for adversely
affecting the Districts' operation or for violating any pretreatment standard, local limit, or
discharge requirement; or(4) may cause, as determined by the General Manager, pass
through or interference with the District sewerage facilities.
Class 11 User
Any industrial user whose charge for use is greater than the ad valorem tax basic levy
allocated to the District, exclusive of debt service,that discharges wastes other than sanitary,
and that is not otherwise required to obtain a Class I permit.
Class III User
Any user that discharges only sanitary waste and whose charge for use is greater than the ad
valorem tax basic levy allocated to the District, exclusive of debt service, and is not otherwise
required to obtain a Class I or Class II permit. Unless otherwise stipulated in the permit, Class
III users shall be considered discharging a domestic waste equivalent for BOD and suspended
solids.
Clean Water Act(Pt92-500)
Federal legislation originally passed in 1972 that sets national water quality goals and
standards, and establishes a regulatory basis for industrial source control, wastewater
treatment, environmental testing and monitoring, sludge management and urban and
agricultural runoff control. (Amended in 1977, 1978, 1980, 1985)
Clean Water Grant Program
A program, administrated by the Division of Water Quality of the Regional Water Quality
Control Board of the State of California,through which the grantees in the State of California
receive state and federal grant funds for the construction of wastewater facilities.This
program has been discontinued and grant funds are no longer available. It has been replaced
with a revolving loan program that is partially funded by Congress and administered by most
states.
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Coagulant
An agent that causes solids in wastewater to conglomerate into a coherent mass, as an aid to
removal by sedimentation or filtration.
Coagulation
The conversion of colloidal (0.001 mm) and dispersed (0.001 to 0.1 mm) particles into larger
particles(0.1 to 1 mm) by the addition of a chemical coagulant.
Coliform
One type of bacteria always present in raw sewage.The presence of non-pathogenic
coliform-group bacteria is an indication of the presence of possible pathogenic contamination.
Fecal coliforms are those coliforms found in the feces of various warm-blooded animals;
whereas the term "coliform" also includes other non-pathogenic types.
Composting
This is the process in which solid organic materials are decomposed in the presence of oxygen
through the action of bacteria and other microorganisms. Dewatered biosolids are mixed with
sawdust or wood chips that act as bulking agent by absorbing water and increasing the
porosity of the mixture.This mix is then composted and cured for a minimum of six weeks.
High temperatures(103 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit) generated during this process
pasteurize the mixture.A peat like product is the end result. Composted biosolids are easier
to handle, store and use than liquid and dewatered biosolids.
Collection System
A system of conduits, generally underground pipes,which receives and conveys sewage to a
central point for treatment.
Combined Sewer
A sewer designed to receive both wastewater and storm water. OCSD does not operate a
combined sewer system.
VV
Compatible Pollutant
A combination of biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, pH,fecal coliform bacteria,
plus other pollutants that the District's treatment facilities are designed to accept and/or
remove. Compatible pollutants may become non-compatible when discharged in quantities
that have an adverse effect on the District's system or NPDES permit,or when discharged in
qualities or quantities violating any Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standard, local limit, or
other discharge requirement.
Composite Sample
A combination of individual samples of water or wastewater taken at preselected intervals to
minimize the effect of the variability of an individual sample. Individual subsamples may be of
equal volume or may be proportional to the flow at any time of sampling.
Composting
The aerobic biological decomposition of the organic constituents of waste under controlled
conditions into a stable, humus-like product whose chief use is as a soil conditioner.
Concentration
(1)The amount of a given substance dissolved in a discrete unit volume of solution or applied
to a unit weight of solid. (2)The process of increasing the dissolved solids per unit volume of
solution, usually by evaporation of the liquid. (3)The process of increasing the suspended
solids per unit volume of sludge as by sedimentation, dewatering.
Conductivity
A measure of water's ability to conduct an electric current,which is directly related to the
total dissolved salts(ions) in the water.
Connection Permit
A permit issued by the District and/or a local city or agency, upon payment of a capital
facilities connection charge, authorizing the permittee to connect directly to a District
sewerage facility or to a sewer which ultimately discharges into a District sewerage facility.
Conventional Treatment
Well-known or well-established wastewater treatment processes; it generally consists of
primary and secondary treatment, and does not include advanced or tertiary treatment.
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Corrosion
The gradual deterioration or destruction of a substance or material by chemical action,
frequently induced by electrochemical processes.The action proceeds inward from the
surface.
Cross Connection
A connection between a supervised potable water supply and an unsupervised supply of
unknown potability,through which the supply of potable water could be contaminated.
Dechlorination
The partial or complete reduction of residual chlorine by any chemical or physical process.
Deep Well Injection
Discharge of treated wastewater through a properly designed well,either by gravity or
pumping, into a pervious geological stratum. Well depth may range from a few hundred to
several thousand feet.
Degradation
The breakdown of substances by biological action.Also used to define an unacceptable
ecological condition caused by"pollution".
Degree of Treatment
A measure of the removal effected by treatment processes with reference to solids, organic
matter, BOD, bacteria or any other specified parameter.
Detention Time
The period of time that a water or wastewater flow is retained in a basin,tank, or reservoir for
storage or completion of physical, chemical, or biological reaction.See also contact time,
retention time.
Dewatering, dewatered biosolids
A process used to remove water from biosolids producing dewatered biosolids that contain
equal to or greater than 20 percent dry solids.
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Diffuser
A porous plate,tube, or other device through which air is forced and divided into minute
bubbles for diffusion in liquids. Commonly made of carborundum, alundum, metal, or plastic
materials.
Discharge Permit
Formal authorization, issued by a state or federal regulatory agency stipulating conditions
under which effluent may be released into the environment.
Disinfection
The process designed to kill most microorganisms in water, including essentially all pathogenic
(disease-causing) bacteria.There are several ways to disinfect, with chlorine being the most
frequently used in water treatment.
Dissolved Oxygen
The oxygen dissolved in water,wastewater, or other liquid, usually expressed in milligrams
per liter, or percent of saturation. Abbreviated DO.
Detention Time
The theoretical period of time that a wastewater flow is retained in a basin,tank or reservoir
for storage or completion of physical, chemical or biological reaction.A function of total flow,
and total volume.
Dewatered Sludge
The solid residue remaining after removal of water from a wet sludge by draining or filtering.
Dewatering is distinguished from thickening in that dewatered sludge may be transported by
solids handling procedures.
Dewatering
The process of partially removing water; may refer to removal of water from a basin,tank,
reservoir, or other storage unit, or to separation of water from solid material.
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Diffused Aeration
Injection of air under pressure through submerged perforated plates, pipes, membranes, or
other devices to form small, medium or coarse air bubbles from which oxygen is transferred
to the liquid as the bubbles rise to the water surface.
Digester
A tank or other vessel for the storage and anaerobic or aerobic decomposition of organic
matter present in sludge.
Digestion
(1)The biological decomposition of organic matter in sludge resulting in partial liquefaction,
mineralization and volume reduction. (2)The process carried out in a digester.
Dilution
Disposal of wastewater or treated effluent by discharge to a receiving water by dispersion
(depending on both volume and flow) with resulting reduction in concentrations of
constituents,while accounting for background levels and natural assimilation processes.
Discharge Permit
Formal authorization, issued by a state or federal regulatory agency stipulating conditions
under which effluent may be released into the environment.
Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF)
An activated sludge thickening process in which air bubbles emerging(under pressure)from a
supersaturated solution become attached to suspended solids in the liquid undergoing
treatment and Float them up to the surface. Sometimes, certain organic polymers are used in
Dissolved Air Flotation Thickeners (DAFTs) to aid in thickening and solids removal.
Dissolved Oxygen
Abbreviated DO; The amount of oxygen dissolved in water or other liquids, usually expressed
as mg/I (in sanitary engineering)or in percent saturation, which is a function of temperature
and pressure.
"Fit
Dissolved Solids
Solids in solution that cannot be removed by filtration. Also, the amount of such solids; for
example, NaCl and other salts,whose amounts must be determined by evaporation.
District(s)
Formerly, any individual County Sanitation District or combination of Districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6,
7, 11, 13, or 14 of Orange County that were included in the Joint Administrative Organization.
Diurnal Fluctuation
Any daily variation in wastewater characteristics such as flow, BOD or suspended solids.
Diversion
Any deliberate change in the normal destination of a flow, or in the routing of such flow, in a
piping or trunkline system.
Domestic Wastewater
Wastewater derived principally from dwellings, business buildings, institutions and the like. It
may or may not contain some groundwater, surface water or storm water.
Drinking Water Standards
Standards that define the allowable concentrations of coliforms and certain chemicals,
physical characteristics and radioactivity in drinking water.They are prescribed by federal,
state, or local authorities and also contain sampling, monitoring and reporting conditions.
Drying Beds
Confined, underdrained shallow layers of sand or gravel on which wet sludge is distributed for
draining and air drying. Also applied to underdrained, shallow, diked, earthen structures used
for drying sludge.
Dry Weight Basis
Calculated on the basis of having been dried at 105 degrees Celsius until reaching a constant
mass(i.e. essentially 100 percent solids).
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Dry Well
A dry compartment in a pumping station, near or below pumping level,where the pumps are
located.
Effluent
(1) Wastewater or other liquid, partially or completely treated,or in its natural state,flowing
out of a reservoir, basin,treatment plant or industrial treatment plant or part thereof. (2)An
out flowing branch of a main stream or lake. (3)An emission of gas.
Enforcement Compliance Schedule Agreement(ECSA)
A mutual agreement between the District and permittee amending the permit to require
implementation of necessary pretreatment practices and/or installation of equipment to
ensure permit compliance.
Fecal Coliform
Aerobic and facultative, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria capable of
growth at 44.5 degrees Celsius, and associated with fecal matter of warm-blooded animals.
Ferric Chloride(FeC13)
Iron salt used in advanced primary treatment; combines with tiny particles to give them a
slight electrical charge.
Ferrous Chloride
A soluble iron salt, FeC12
Federal Categorical Pretreatment Standards
Any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by the U.S. EPA in
accordance with Sections 307(b) and (c) of the Clean Water Act(33 U.S.C. 1317) which apply
to a specific category of industrial users and which appear in 40 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter N,
Parts 405-471.
Federal Regulations
Any applicable provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean
Water Act, as amended,Title 33, United States Code,Section 1251 and following, and any
regulation promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Title 40
CFR implementing that act.
Filter Flies
Small flies which are a common nuisance in trickling filter installations, where their larvae
thrive in the damp filter media; most often Psychodae and Anisopodae.
Filter Media
(1) Material through which water,wastewater,or other liquid is passed for the purpose of
purification,treatment,or conditioning. (2)A cloth or metal material of some appropriate
design used to intercept sludge solids in sludge filtration.
Filter Ponding
The formation of ponds on the surface of trickling filters, caused by excessive biofilm growth,
media degradation, or inadequate ventilation.
Final Effluent
The effluent from the final treatment unit of a wastewater treatment plant.
Final Settling Tank
A tank through which the effluent from a trickling filter or an aeration or contact aeration tank
is passed to remove the settleable solids.
Force Main
A pressure pipe joining the pump discharge at a wastewater pumping station with a point of
gravity flow.
Foul Air Scrubber
An odor control device through which air is passed,that utilizes an
adsorption/absorption/oxidation process to absorb and destroy odors, most commonly
hydrogen sulfide.
Gate Valve
A valve in which the closing element consists of a disk that slides over the opening or cross-
sectional area through which water passes, and fits tightly against it.
Gravity System
A system of conduits in which the liquid runs on descending gradients from source to outlet,
so that no pumping is required.
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Grease Skimmer
A device for removing floating grease or scum from the surface of wastewater in a tank.
Grit
The heavy suspended matter present in wastewater, such as dirt,sand, gravel, egg shells and
coffee grounds. It is removed in a pretreatment unit called a grit chamber to prevent abrasion
and wearing of subsequent treatment devices and to prevent its accumulation in digesters.
Grit Chamber
A detention chamber or an enlargement of a sewer designed to reduce the velocity of the
liquid flow, allowing the separation of mineral from organic solids by differential separation.
Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS)
A joint water reclamation project between the Orange County Water District and the Orange
County Sanitation District.This joint project provides 70 million gallons a day of drinking
quality water to replenish the local groundwater aquifer.
Headworks
The initial structures and devices of a wastewater treatment plant through which influent
(raw sewage) enters the plant.
Heavy Metals
Metals with a density greater than 5g/cm3.The heavy metals are the most electronegative
metals of the periodic table.Some common examples of heavy metals are cadmium,
chromium, copper, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc.
Hydraulic Capacity
Maximum rate of flow which a treatment plant is capable of conveying through all units of the
process. It shall never be less than the greater of:the rated capacity, or two times the average
daily flow.
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Hydraulic Loading
The amount of wastewater applied to a given treatment process usually expressed as volume
per unit time, or volume per unit time per surface area.
Hydrogen Peroxide(1-12O2)
Powerful oxidizer used in odor control; destroys hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and
attacks the anaerobic bacteria that produce it.
Hydrogen Sulfide
A toxic and potentially lethal gas (chemical symbol H2S) produced in sewers and digesters by
anaerobic decomposition. Hydrogen sulfide also occurs naturally in estuaries, bays, mud flats
and submerged canyons and basins, and wherever excessive organic matter is discharged
beyond the assimilative capacity of the benthic sediments.
Industrial User
Any user that discharges industrial wastewater.
Industrial Waste
Generally liquid, solid or gaseous wastes originating from the manufacture of specific products
such as metal plating companies.Such wastes are usually more concentrated,variable in
content and rate, and require more extensive or different treatment than municipal waste.
Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Treatment of wastewater by industry to remove toxic or concentrated conventional
pollutants.
Infectious Waste
Materials which are likely to transmit etiologic agents which cause, or significantly contribute
to the cause of, increased morbidity or mortality of human beings, as more specifically set
forth in Health and Safety Code Section 25117.5.
Infiltration
The quantity of groundwater,storm water or surface water that leaks into a pipe through
joints, porous walls or breaks in the system.
Inflow
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In relation to sanitary sewers,the extraneous flow which enters a sanitary sewer from sources
other than infiltration, such as roof leaders, basement drains, land drains and manhole covers.
Influent
Wastewater flowing into a treatment plant or treatment process.
Influent Metering Structure
An underground concrete structure housing four magnetic flow meters and associated piping.
Inorganic Waste
Waste material such as sand, salt, iron, calcium and other mineral materials which are only
slightly affected by their action of organisms. Inorganic wastes are chemical substances of
mineral origin;whereas organic wastes are chemical substances of animal or vegetable origin.
Interceptor Sewer
A sewer that receives dry-weather flow from a number of transverse sewers or outlets and
frequently, additional predetermined quantities of storm water(if from a combined sewer
system) and conducts such waters to a point for treatment or disposal.
Interference
Any discharge which, alone or in conjunction with discharges from other sources, inhibits or
disrupts the District's treatment processes or operations, or its sludge processes, use,or
disposal; or is a cause of violation of the District's NPDES permit or prevents lawful sludge use
or disposal.
Intermediate Treatment
(1)The removal of a high percentage of suspended solids and a substantial percentage of
colloidal matter, but little dissolved matter; (2) Wastewater treatment similar to secondary
treatment but generally not as complete, resulting in BOD removals of about 60 to 75 percent.
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Interceptor Sewer
A sewer that receives dry-weather flow from a number of transverse sewers or outlets and
frequently, additional predetermined quantities of storm water(if from a combined sewer
system) and conducts such waters to a point for treatment or disposal.
Inverted Siphon
A pipeline crossing a depression or passing under a structure and having a reversal in grade on
a portion of the line,thus creating a V-or U-shaped section of conduit.The line is under
positive pressure from inlet to outlet and should not be confused with a siphon. Also called a
depressed sewer.
Joint Administrative Organization
The organization which was formed to governs and set policy for the County Sanitation
Districts of Orange County(now the Orange County Sanitation District) owing its legal
existence to a joint powers provision in the County Sanitation District Act. In Orange County,
this was implemented by the 1970 Joint Ownership, Operation and Construction Agreement
between the individual Sanitation Districts.
Junction Chamber(box)
A converging section of a conduit, usually large enough for a person to enter, used to facilitate
the flow from one or more conduits into a main conduit.
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
A computer software program to manage laboratory analytical data and samples.
Lateral Sewer
A sewer that originates form a parcel or property that discharges into a branch or other sewer
and has no other common sewer tributary to it. Also,the part of the horizontal piping within
a public street or sewer right-of-way,connecting a building sewer to a main sewer
Lift Station
A structure that contains pumps and appurtenant piping,valves and other mechanical and
electrical equipment for pumping wastewater; also called a pump station.
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Liquor
Water,wastewater or any combination thereof; commonly used to designate liquid phase
when other phases are present.
Local Sewering Agency
Any public agency or private corporation responsible for the collection and disposal of
wastewater to the District sewerage facilities duly authorized under the laws of the State of
California to construct and/or maintain public sewers.
Main Sewer
In larger systems,the principal sewer to which branch sewers and submains are tributary; also
called a trunk sewer. In small systems, a sewer to which one or more branch sewers are
tributary.
Major Violation
A discharge over the permitted discharge limit, as determined by the result of a composite
sample analysis, as follows: (1) a discharge exceeding a mass emission limit by 20%or more;
or(2) a discharge exceeding a concentration limit by 20%or more; or(3)a pH discharge less
than 5.0.
Make-up Water
Water added to circulating water in a system to replace water lost by evaporation, leakage, or
blowdown.Also water or recycled wastewater added to gravity thickening tank influent to
produce an artificial water surface overflow rate.
Manhole
The structure atop an opening in a sewer to permit entry for servicing. Usually placed at all
points of change in sewer grade and at least every 300 to 400 feet along the line.
Matter, Inorganic
Chemical substances of mineral origin.
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Matter, Organic
Chemical substances of mineral or vegetable origin, or more correctly, of basically carbon
structure.They include most carbon compounds: most are combustible and many are volatile.
Matter, Suspended
Solids in suspension in wastewater or effluent; also called suspended solids, SS.
Mechanical Aeration
The mixing, by mechanical means,of wastewater and activated sludge in the aeration tank of
the activated sludge process to bring fresh surfaces of liquid into contact with the
atmosphere.
Mechanical Agitation
The introduction of air or pure oxygen into a liquid by the mechanical action of paddle, paddle
wheel, spray or turbine mechanisms.
Methane
A colorless, odorless,flammable, gaseous hydrocarbon, CH4, present in natural gas and
formed by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and capable of being used as a
low-grade fuel. Methane is used as an energy source in plant engines or is burned in flares. It
can also be sold to power engines to drive such things as oil well pumps.
Methane Bacteria
A specialized group of obligate anaerobic bacteria which decompose organic matter to form
methane.
Microorganisms/Microbes
Microscopic organisms, either plant or animal, invisible or barely visible to the naked eye.
Examples are algae, bacteria,fungi, protozoa and viruses.
Milligrams per Liter, mg/L
A unit of the concentration of water or wastewater constituent. It is 0.001 g of the constituent
in 1,000 mL of water. It has replaced the unit formerly used commonly, parts per million,to
which it is approximately equivalent, in reporting the results of water and wastewater
analysis.
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Minor Violation
A discharge over the permitted discharge limit as determined by the result of a composite
sample analysis, as follows: (1) a discharge exceeding a mass emission limit by less than 20%;
or(2) a discharge exceeding a concentration limit by less than 20%; or (3) a pH discharge
equal to or greater than 5.0, but less than 6.0; or(4) a pH discharge greater than 12.0.
Mixed Liquor
A mixture of raw or settled wastewater and activated sludge contained in an aeration tank or
basin in the activated sludge process.
Mixing Tank
A tank or channel designed to provide a thorough mixing of chemicals introduced into liquids
or two or more liquids of different characteristics.
Municipal Waste
(1)The untreated wastewater entering a municipal treatment facility; (2) Generally,the liquid
and solid waste originating from a mixture of domestic (household), commercial and industrial
sources.
National Biosolids Partnership(NBP)
An alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Water
Environment Federation (WEF), with advisory support from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA). NBP is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and
sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and
promote public participation in order to enhance the credibility of local agency biosolids
programs and improved communications that lead to public acceptance.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)
The permit issued to control the discharge to surface waters of the United States as detailed
in Public Law 92-500,Section 402, as amended
commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act).
Natural Purification
Natural processes occurring in a stream or other body of water which result in a reduction of
bacteria concentrations,satisfaction of the BOD via oxidation, stabilization of organic
constituents, replacement of depleted dissolved oxygen via re-aeration, and the return of the
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biota of the water body to normal.Also called self-purification, a natural process occurring
progressively downstream of a discharge.
Neutralization
(1) Addition of acid or base to a wastewater to obtain a near neutral pH. (2)A reaction in
which hydrogen ions from an acid combine with hydroxide atoms from a base to form water.
Nitrification
Biologically process of the oxidation of ammonium salts to nitrites(via Nitrosomonas bacteria)
and the further oxidation of nitrite to nitrate via Nitrobacter bacteria.
Nitrobacteria
Bacteria capable of oxidizing nitrogenous material.
Nitrogen
An essential nutrient that is often present in wastewater as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and
organic nitrogen.The concentrations that each form and the sum,total nitrogen, are
expressed as mg/I elemental nitrogen.Also present in some groundwater as nitrate and in
some polluted groundwater in other forms. As a gas,the most abundant element in the
atmosphere.
Nitrogenous BOD
Biochemical oxygen demand associated with the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate.
Non-point Pollution
Man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical, biological or radiological
integrity of water, originating from any source other than a point source.
Nonsettleable Solids
Suspended matter that will stay in suspension for an extended period of time. Such period
may be arbitrarily taken for testing purposes as one hour.
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Ocean Disposal
Ultimate disposal of liquid wastes or sludges by transporting them out to sea and dumping
them in deep water.
Ocean Outfall
Facilities (often pipelines)for the discharge of storm drainage and/or wastewater into the
ocean. Conceptual development on the west coast provides for dilution as a solution to
pollution.A highly developed, cost-effective and energy efficient solution for those cities near
deep,well-mixed coastal waters; less desirable in enclosed bays and estuaries.
Odor
A characteristic of a substance that is detectable by the human olfactory organs and may
contribute to a public nuisance.
Odor Control
In wastewater treatment,the prevention or reduction of objectionable odors(mostly
hydrogen sulfide) by chlorination, aeration, or other processes or by masking with chemical
aerosols.
Odorous Emissions
Odor parameters measured by dynamic dilution olfactometry and odor panels. Odor
emissions are expressed as dilution-to-thresholds ratios or odor concentration units.
Odor Panel
A system for evaluating and quantifying odors, using a group of trained individuals under
controlled laboratory conditions,to assess air samples at known dilutions with odor-free air.
Odor Units
Measure of odor in air. The number of dilutions required so the odor is just at the threshold
of detection for half of the sample population. Also referred to as dilutions to threshold (D/T).
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Off-peak Power
That part of the available load or energy which can be produced at off-peak hours outside the
load curve when the combined primary and secondary load has fallen below plant capacity.
Olfactometer
Instrument used for the determination of odor units or dilutions to threshold (d/t).An air
sample is connected to the instrument and the sample is diluted with fresh air in differing
ratios for presentation to panel members.
Operations and Maintenance Service Charge
A charge imposed on a user of the sewerage facilities, pursuant to Sections 302.6(F)1,
303.6(F)1, or 304.6(B)1 of this Ordinance, which may be used to recover the costs of operation
and maintenance,which charges shall be allocated to the District's Operating Fund.
Organic Loading
The amount or organic material, usually measured as BODS applied to a given treatment
process, expressed as weight per unit time per unit surface area or per unit weight.
Organic Matter
Chemical substances of animal or vegetable origin,or more correctly, containing carbon and
hydrogen.
Outfall
(1)The point, location, or structure through which wastewater or drainage discharges from a
sewer, drain, or other conduit. (2)The conduit leading to the ultimate disposal area.
Outfall Sewer
A sewer that receives wastewater from a collection system or from a treatment plant and
carries it to a point of final discharge.
Overall Efficiency Pump
The combined efficiency of a pump and motor together. Also called the wire-to-water
efficiency.
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Overflow Rate
One of the criteria for the design of settling tanks in treatment plants; expressed in gallons per
day per square foot of surface area in the settling tank.
Overflow Weir
Any device or structure over which any excess water beyond capacity of the conduit or
container is allowed to flow or waste.
Oxidation
(1)The chemical reaction in which the valence of an element increases due to the loss of
electrons from that element, oxygen is added and either a hydrogen or electron is removed.
(2)The conversion of organic substances to simpler, more stable forms by either chemical or
biological means.
Oxidized Wastewater
Wastewater in which the organic matter has been stabilized.
Oxidizing Agent
Any substance such as oxygen (02) or chlorine (02),which will readily add (take on)
electrons. The opposite is a reducing agent.
Oxygen
A chemical element necessary for biological oxidation. It comprises approximately 20%of the
atmosphere. See also dissolved oxygen.
Oxygen Activated Sludge
Similar to waste activated sludge except in its use of oxygen rather than air to saturate and
pressurize water; used in biological treatment at Plant 2; allows a small plant to treat large
amounts of wastewater.
Oxygen Demand
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the oxidation of substances in a specified time, at a specified
temperature and under specified conditions.
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Oxygen Depletion
Loss of dissolved oxygen from water or wastewater resulting from biochemical or chemical
action.
Oxygen, Dissolved (DO)
The oxygen dissolved in a liquid, usually expressed in milligrams per liter or percentage of
saturation.
Parts per Billion (ppb)
The number of weight or volume units of a minor constituent present with each one billion
units of a solution or mixture. The more specific term micrograms per liter(µg/L) is preferred.
Parts per Million (ppm)
The number of weight or volume units of a minor constituent present with each one billion
units of a solution or mixture. The more specific term milligrams per liter(mg/L) is preferred.
Pathogens
Pathogenic or disease producing organisms including various bacteria,viruses, protozoa,fungi
and parasites.
Pathogenic Organisms
Organisms, including bacteria,viruses or cysts, capable of causing diseases (typhoid, cholera,
dysentery) in a host(human). There are many types of organisms that do not cause disease
(nonpathogenic).
Pathogens
Pathogenic or disease-causing organisms
Peak
(1)The maximum quantity that occurs over a relatively short period of time. Also called peak
demand, peak load. (2)The highest load carried by an electric generating system during any
specific period. It is usually expressed in kilowatts.
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Peak Flow
The maximum or highest flow of wastewater entering the plant each day, expressed in mgd;
in our case, a period of time usually lasting from about noon to midnight each day.
Peak Load
(1)The maximum demand for water placed on a pumping station,treatment plant, or
distribution system, expressed as a rate. (2)The maximum rate of flow of wastewater to a
pumping station or treatment plant.Also called peak demand.
Percolation
The flow or trickling of a liquid downward through a contact or filtering medium.The liquid
may or may not fill the pores of the filtering medium.
Permittee
An individual, partnership,firm, association, corporation or public agency who has received a
permit to discharge wastewater pollutants into the Districts'sewerage system subject to the
requirements and conditions established by the District.
Pesticides
Those compounds classified as such under Federal or State law or regulations including, but
not limited to those listed in Section 209.8.4.
Peak Demand
The maximum momentary load placed on a water treatment plant, pumping station, or
distribution system. This demand is usually the maximum average load in 1 hour or less, but
may be specified as instantaneous or with some other short time period.
Percolation
The movement(normally downward) of water through and out of the soil.This downward
movement accentuates the leaching process.
Plant Hydraulic Capacity
The level of flow into a plant above which the system is hydraulically overloaded.
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Point Source
Any discernable, confined or discrete conveyance from which pollutants are or may be
discharged, including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel,tunnel, conduit,well,
container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating
craft.
Point Source
Any discernable, confined or discrete conveyance from which pollutants are or may be
discharged, including, but not limited to, any pipe, ditch, channel,tunnel, conduit,well,
container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating
craft.
Pollutant
Any constituent or characteristic of wastewaters on which a discharge limitation may be
imposed either by the Districts or the regulatory bodies empowered to regulate the Districts.
Pollution
(1) Specific impairment of the quality of water, air or land by agricultural, domestic or
industrial wastes (including thermal and nuclear wastes)to a degree that has an adverse
effect upon any beneficial use of the environments affected. (2)The addition to the water, air
or land of any material which diminishes the optimal use of the environments by the
population, and has an adverse effect on the various environments as well as the health of
organisms (including humans) inhabiting those environments.
Polymer
Synthetic organic compound with a high molecular weight and composed of repeating
chemical units called monomers; they may be polyelectrolytes, such as water-soluble
flocculants or water-insoluble ion exchange resins, or insoluble uncharged materials such as
those used for plastic or plastic-lined pipe and plastic trickling filter media.
Population Equivalent
The estimated population which would contribute a given amount of a specific waste
parameter(BOD, suspended solids,flow); usually applied to industrial waste. Domestic
wastewater contains material that consumes, on the average,0.17 lb (0.08 kg)of oxygen per
capita per day. as measured by the standard BOD test. For example, if an industry discharges
my
1,000 pounds (454 kg)of BOD per day, its waste is equivalent to the domestic wastewater
from 6,000 persons(1,000/0.17 = approx. 6,000).
Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act
The basic water quality protection law in California which established the State and Regional
Water Quality Control Boards and set up the mechanism for developing and enforcing water
quality protection regulations.
Post Treatment
Treatment of finished wastewater for the purpose of further enhancing or protecting its
quality.
Potable Water
Water that does not contain objectionable pollution, contamination, minerals or infective
agents and is considered satisfactory for domestic consumption.
Preliminary Treatment
(1)The conditioning of waste at its source before discharge into a sewer system, to remove or
to neutralize substances injurious to sewers and subsequent treatment processes or to effect
a partial reduction in load on the treatment process; (2) Unit operations,such as screening,
comminution and grit removal that prepare the wastewater for further primary or secondary
treatment.
Pressure Main
Pressurized sewer lines that deliver wastewater from a pumping station to a treatment plant,
a receiving stream, or a higher point in the system; also called a force main.
Pretreatment
(1) Any wastewater treatment process that precedes primary treatment; may include
aeration, equalization, pH adjustment,grit removal, grease removal, screening, skimming,
comminution (grinding), or other processes. (2)The treatment of industrial wastewater at its
source before discharge to municipal collection systems. Industrial pretreatment involves
treatment of industrial wastes on-site to remove toxic materials or concentrated conventional
pollutants.
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Pretreatment Facility
Any works or devices that the General Manager determines are appropriate to treat, restrict,
or prevent the flow of industrial wastewater prior to discharge into a public sewer.
Primary Effluent
The liquid portion of wastewater leaving primary treatment.
Primary Settling Tank
The first settling tank(or basin)for the removal of settleable solids through which wastewater
is passed in a treatment works.
Primary Sludge
Raw sludge which consists of raw wastewater solids removed in the primary sedimentation
basins, but which has not yet undergone bacterial decomposition (digested sludge).
Primary Treatment
(1)The first major treatment process in a wastewater treatment facility, usually
sedimentation but not biological oxidation. (2)The removal of a substantial amount of
suspended matter but little or no colloidal and dissolved matter. (3) Wastewater treatment
processes usually consisting of clarification with or without physical chemical treatment to
accomplish solid-liquid separation.
Primary Treatment Ferric Chloride Facility
Houses two 21,000 gallon above-ground ferric chloride storage tanks (ferric chloride is used in
the wastewater process as a settling aid for advanced primary treatment and odor control)
and six chemical feed pumps for dosing.
Priority Pollutants
An EPA designated list of 126 organics (pesticides, herbicides,solvents, etc.) and trace and
heavy metals.
Private Sewer
A sewer privately owned and used by one or more properties.
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Protozoa
Small, one-celled animals including amoebae,ciliates, and flagellates.
Rate Capacity
Maximum rate of sewage flow which a treatment plant is capable of treating on a long-term
basis to attain a specified effluent quality.The rate capacity is determined by the maximum
24-hour dry weather flow.
Raw Wastewater
Wastewater before it receives any treatment; also called raw sewage.
Receiving Water
A river, lake, ocean or other body of water or watercourse into which wastewater or treated
effluent is discharged.
Reclamation Plant No. 1
The treatment plant in Fountain Valley, so called because it provides treated secondary
effluent to the Orange County Water District for reclamation.
Reclaimed Wastewater
Wastewater used for some beneficial purpose, usually some degree of treatment tailored for
the specific intended purpose.
Regulatory Agencies
Those agencies having jurisdiction over the operation of the District including, but not limited
to,the following: (1) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX,San Francisco
and Washington, DC (EPA); or(2) California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); or
(3) California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region (RWQCB); or (4)South
Coast Air Quality Management District(SCAQMD); or(5)California Department of Health
Services(DOHS).
Regulatory Compliance Schedule Agreement(RCSA)
An agreement between the District and permittee requiring the permittee to implement
pretreatment practices and/or install equipment to ensure compliance with future revised
categorical pretreatment standards or revised discharge limits.
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Residual Chlorine
Chlorine remaining in water or wastewater at the end of a specified contact period as
combined or free chlorine.
Residuals
The solids entering the plant in the influent water, generated in the coagulation and
flocculation phase, and wasted during the filtration backwash and filter-to-waste. The
residuals are the waste generated at the treatment plant from the treatment process.
Resistance
The property of a conductor or wire that opposes passage of a current, causing electrical
energy to be transformed into heat.
Retention Time
The length of time water or wastewater is held in a unit for treatment. Also known as
detention time.
Returned Sludge
(1) Settled activated sludge that is returned to mix with incoming raw or primary settled
wastewater for purposes of inoculation; (2) Biomass produced in the activated sludge process
that is recycled to the head of the process to promote more complete biological oxidation.
Rising Sludge
Rising sludge occurs in the secondary clarifiers of activated sludge plants when the sludge
settles to the bottom of the clarifier, is compacted, and then starts to rise to the surface
because of gas production in the compacted blanket.
Sanitary Sewage
Home wastewater that contains human wastes; the major fraction of municipal wastewater.
Sanitary Sewer
A sewer that carries liquid and waterborne wastes from residences, commercial buildings,
industrial plants, and institutions,together with minor quantities of ground, storm, and
surface waters that are not admitted intentionally.
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Sanitary Waste
Domestic wastewater, human excrement and gray water(household showers, dishwashing
operations, etc.).
Sanitation
(1)The act or process of making sanitary. (2)The promotion of hygiene and prevention of
disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions. (3)A general program of environmental health
designed to protect a safe source and safe distribution of potable water and proper collection,
treatment and disposal of wastewater.
Santa Ana River Basin Section (SARBS)
The local section of the CWEA for treatment plant operators and technicians to exchange
information and ideas.
Santa Ana River Interceptor(SARI)
A major trunk sewer owned and operated by OCSD and the Santa Ana Watershed Project
Authority. Under contract,the SARI line connects to capacity provided by OCSD sewer trunk
lines. SARI starts in the highly urbanized portions of western San Bernardino and Riverside
Counties and ends with connection to an OCSD interceptor.
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA)
An administrative authority that jointly constructed and shares ownership with OCSD in the
major trunk sewer, known as the Santa Ana River Interceptor(SARI).
Schedule of Compliance
A schedule of remedial measures including an enforceable sequence of actions or operations
leading to compliance with an effluent limitation, other limitation, prohibition or standard.
Scour
(1)The action of a flowing liquid as it lifts and carries away the material on the sides or
bottom of a waterway, conduit, or pipeline. (2)The enlargement of a flow section of a
waterway through the action of the fluid in motion carrying away the material composing the
boundary.
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Secondary Effluent
(1)The liquid portion of wastewater leaving secondary treatment; (2)An effluent that
contains not more than 30 mg/I each of BODS and suspended solids.
Secondary Sludge
Sometimes referred to as biological sludge. Sludge that consists mainly of excess
microorganisms produced in the activated sludge and trickling filter processes.
Secondary Treatment
(1) Generally, a level of treatment that produces removal efficiencies for BOD and SS of 85%;
(2) Sometimes used interchangeably with the concept of biological wastewater treatment,
especially the activated sludge process. Commonly applied to treatment that consists chiefly
of clarification followed by a biological process with separate sludge collecting and handling.
Sedimentation
Also called settling. (1)The process of subsidence and deposition of suspended matter carried
by water, wastewater or other liquids by gravity. It is usually accomplished by reducing the
velocity of the flow below the point at which it can transport the suspended material. May be
enhanced by coagulation and flocculation; (2)Solid-liquid separation resulting from the
application of an external force, usually settling in a clarifier under the force of gravity. It can
be variously classified as discrete,flocculent, hindered and zone sedimentation.
Sedimentation Basin
A basin or tank in which wastewater containing settleable solids is retained to remove by
gravity a part of the suspended matter.Also called sedimentation basin, settling basin,
clarifier or settling tank.
Septic
A condition produced by bacteria when all oxygen supplies are depleted. If severe, bottom
deposits and water turn black, give off foul odors, and the water has a greatly increased
chlorine demand.
Septic
(1) Anaerobic; (2) Putrid, rotten, foul smelling; anaerobic.
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Septic Tank
An underground vessel for treating wastewater from a single dwelling or building by a
combination of settling and anaerobic digestion. Effluent is usually disposed of by leaching.
Settled solids are pumped out periodically and hauled to a treatment facility for disposal.
Septic Waste
Any sewerage from holding tanks such as chemical toilets, campers,trailers, and septic tanks.
Service Charge
The rate charged by the utility for rendering service, usually used as a ready-to-serve charge.
Service Connection
A pipeline, with its appurtenances, which branches off or connects a sewer with a main
premises. Also called a sewer lateral.
Settling Time
The time necessary for the removal, by gravity separation or precipitation, of suspended or
colloidal substances.
Sewage
The total organic waste and wastewater that contains human waste and is generated by
residential and commercial establishments. Distinguished from, but often combined with
industrial wastewater.
Sewage Particulates
Particles of sewage grease ranging in size from small flakes to large grease balls more than an
inch in diameter. Color varies from white to grey. Occasionally found along the shoreline,
especially prior to the installation of long, deep-water outfalls. Sewage particulates are a
product of sewage digestion of solids and grease.
Sewage Rate
A charge or a schedule of charges for the collection, or the collection and treatment of
wastewater to users who are connected to the system. It may be based on water
consumption,wastewater flow,strength of wastewater, number and types of plumbing
fixtures, some combination of these,or a rate based on other considerations such as a
percentage of tax assessment, property value or some other fixed value.
xli]
Sewage Treatment Plant
The central facility of wastewater treatment facilities which contains all treatment processes
exclusive of the collection system.
Sewer
A pipe or conduit that carries wastewater or drainage water.
Sewer District/Sanitation District
A public organization created and operating under statute for the purpose of financing,
constructing and operating a wastewater management system.
Sewer Gas
A gas mixture of variable composition produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic
matter in sewers and manholes. It contains high percentages of carbon dioxide and varying
amounts of methane, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide, and may be both dangerous to inhale
and explosive.
Sewer Outfall
The outlet or structure through which wastewater is finally discharged.
Sewer Service Charges
Monetary rates used by municipalities, sanitary districts and authorities for obtaining the
revenue to construct, operate and maintain wastewater collection systems and treatment
facilities.
Sewer System
Collectively, all of the property involved in the operation of a sewer utility. It includes all the
land,wastewater lines and appurtenances, pumping stations,treatment works and general
property. Often referred to as a sewerage system.
Sludge
The accumulated settled, mostly organic solids deposited from sewage or industrial wastes,
raw or treated, in tanks or basins, and containing more or less water,forming a semi liquid
mass. Also any solid material containing varying degrees of entrained water collected during
water or wastewater treatment. Raw sludge had been disposed on the East Coast in the ocean
via barges and has led to environmental problems. Well digested,stabilized sludges can be
xliii
easily recycled, composted, land applied, and in some cases,safely disposed in deep
submarine canyons.
Sludge Cake
Wastewater solids that have been sufficiently dewatered to form a semisolid mass.
Sludge Dewatering
Usually restricted to mechanical or gravity processes that remove part of the water in sludge
by methods such as draining on sand beds, evaporation, pressing between large porous belts,
centrifuging,vacuum filtration, passing between rollers,or plate and frame filter presses.
Dewatering is defined as reducing sludge from a liquid or semi liquid state to a "spadable"
semisolid condition rather than merely changing the density of the liquid (concentration) on
the one hand or drying(as in a kiln) on the other.
Sludge Digestion
The process by which organic or volatile material in sludge is gasified, liquefied, mineralized or
converted into more stable organic matter through the activity of microbes.
Sludge Drying Bed
An area comprising natural or artificial layers of porous material, usually sand, on which
digested wastewater sludge is dried by drainage and evaporation.A sludge bed may be open
to the atmosphere or covered, usually with a greenhouse-type superstructure. Also called a
sludge bed.
Sludge Thickener
A type of sedimentation tank in which the sludge is permitted to settle, usually equipped with
scrapers traveling along the bottom of the tank which push the settled sludge to a sump from
which it is removed by gravity or settling.
Sludge Treatment
The processing of wastewater sludges to render them innocuous.This may be done by
anaerobic or aerobic digestion, followed by drying on sand beds,filtering, incineration,wet air
oxidation, composting, solidification, chemical fixation, etc.
Sodium Hydroxide
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A strong caustic chemical used in the treatment process to neutralize acidity, increase
alkalinity, or to raise the pH value. Also known as caustic soda, sodium hydrate, lye, and white
caustic.The chemical symbol is NaOH.
Sodium Hypochlorite
A water solution of sodium hydroxide and chlorine, in which sodium hypochlorite is the
essential ingredient.
Solids
In water and wastewater treatment, any dissolved, suspended, or volatile substance
contained in or removed from water or wastewater.
Solid Waste
Discarded material, such as garbage, refuse,sludge and scrap that is most commonly
landfilled, but may be incinerated, recycled or composted depending on the material and local
conditions.
Source Control
The reduction, treatment and control of heavy metals, high BOD and non-compatible
industrial wastes at their source prior to being discharged into the sewer system.
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority(SCCWRP)
A marine ecological research organization originally formed in 1969 and funded by OCSD and
four other wastewater treatment agencies in Southern California to study the effects of man's
behavior on the marine environment, especially the discharge of treated domestic and
industrial waste into the ocean.
Special Assessments
A direct tax levy assessed against property to pay for improvements that ordinarily are a
direct benefit to the property itself.
Special Purpose User
Any discharger who is granted a Special Purpose Discharge Permit by the District to discharge
unpolluted water, storm runoff, or groundwater to the District's sewerage facilities.
Surcharge
XIV
(1)The height of wastewater in a sewer manhole above the crown of the sewer when the
sewer is flowing completely full; (2) Loads on a system beyond those normally anticipated; (3)
An extra monetary charge imposed especially on flows into a wastewater collection system
when set quantity or quality limits are exceeded.
Surface Aeration
The absorption of air through the surface of a liquid.
Surfactant
A surface-active agent such as sodium alkyl benzene sulfate (ABS)or linear alkyl sulfonate
(LAS)that concentrates at interfaces,forms micelles, increases solution, lowers surface
tension, increases adsorption and may decrease flocculation. Soap is a common example.
Surge Tower
A large cylindrical concrete tower, open to the atmosphere, located on the shore end of the
ocean outfall, which dampens hydraulic surges in the outfall.As treated wastewater passes
through the outfall, it generates a considerable momentum. If a booster station pump were to
shutdown,the water in the outfall would continue to move through the pipe for
approximately 10 minutes, whereupon sea water would then reenter the pipe and cause a
backflow surge toward the pump station.The surge tower absorbs (or dampens)the hydraulic
pressure in the pipe as the backflow reaches the pump station, thereby preventing the outfall
pipe from being damaged.
Suspended Solids
(1) Insoluble solids that eitherfloat on the surface of, or are in suspension, in wastewater. (2)
Solid organic or inorganic particles (colloidal, dispersed, coagulated, flocculated) physically
held in suspension by agitation or flow. (3)The quantity of material removed from wastewater
in a laboratory test as prescribed in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater" and referred to as nonfilterable residue.
Tertiary Treatment
The treatment of wastewater beyond the secondary or biological stage.This term normally
implies the removal of nutrients,such as phosphorous and nitrogen, and a high percentage of
suspended solids. The term tertiary treatment is now being replaced with a preferable term,
advanced waste treatment.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
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The sum of all dissolved solids (volatile and nonvolatile) in a wastewater.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
A mix of silts and organic waste particles, tinier than grains of sand, which give raw sewage its
cloudy appearance.These suspended solids are largely removed (85%or more)from
wastewater by secondary treatment.
Treatment Plant
The central portion of the water treatment facility that contains various treatment processes
exclusive of distribution of water.
Treatment Plant No. 2
The wastewater treatment plant located on Brookhurst Street in Huntington Beach.
Trickling Filter
A large basin filled with synthetic media over which wastewater from a primary sedimentation
basin is distributed.A zoogleal slime--a gelatinous mass created by growing bacteria--forms on
the material and the organic compounds dissolved in the wastewater are oxidized as they
trickle down through the bed.
Trickling Filter Media
Rocks or other durable materials that make up the body of the filter. Synthetic
(manufactured) materials are now used almost exclusively in all new trickling filters.
Trunk Sewer
A sewer that receives many tributary branches and serves a large territory or population.
Turbidity
(1) A condition in wastewater caused by the presence of suspended matter resulting in the
scattering and absorption of light. (2)An analytical quantity usually reported in turbidity units
determined by measurements of light scattering. (3)The churning up of sediment by water,
forming a dense, heavy flow,the sediment remaining in suspension, especially as related to
bottom currents on the ocean floor.Turbidity cannot be directly equated with suspended
solids because white particles reflect more light than dark-colored particles, and many small
particles reflect more light than an equivalent large particle.
Unit Cost
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The cost of a unit product of service;for example,the cost of pumping a million gallons of
wastewater, or the cost to provide wastewater treatment service to a single-family dwelling.
User
The party who is billed, usually for sewer service from a single connection; has no reference to
the number of persons served; also called customer.
User Charge
Charge made to users of water and wastewater systems for services supplied.
User Fees
Local government revenue sources based upon charges made to persons who use local
government services such as sewer service charges.
Utility
A public or private concern engaged in the performance of some useful service, such as
furnishing water,gas, electricity, or sewer facilities. Such a concern usually has a monopoly
position in providing its service to a defined geographical area.
Utility Water
For equipment seal water systems, process uses, and miscellaneous wash down locations.
Valve
(1) A device installed in a pipeline to control the magnitude and direction of the flow. It
consists essentially of a shell and a disk or plug fitted into the shell. (2) In a pump, a waterway,
passage through which is controlled by a mechanism.
Valve Box
A metallic or concrete box or vault set over a valve stem and rising to the ground surface,to
allow access to the stem in opening and closing the valve.A cover is usually provided at the
surface to keep out dirt and debris.
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Valve Stem
The rod by means of which a valve is opened or closed;the rod lifts and pushes down the
gate.
Waiver(301(h))
EPA regulatory program for waiver of full secondary treatment mandated by the U.S. Congress
in 1977 as Section 301(h) of PL 95-217 as part of the 1977 amendment to the Clean Water Act
of 1972 (PL 92-500).
Waste
(1) Something that is superfluous or rejected; something that can no longer be used for its
original purpose. (2)Any solid, liquid or gaseous emission that results from human activity.
Waste Activated Sludge(WAS)
Solids removed from the activated sludge process to prevent an excessive build-up in the
system.
Waste Treatment
(1) A series of chemical, physical or biological processes to remove dissolved and suspended
solids from wastewater before discharge. (2)Any process to which wastewater or industrial
waste is subjected to make it suitable for subsequent use or acceptable for discharge to the
environment. (3) In a broader sense,this term encompasses both solid waste and liquid
waste.
Wastehauler
Any person carrying on or engaging in vehicular transport of waste as part of, or incidental to,
any business for the purpose of discharging said waste into the District's system.
Wastewater
The spent or used water of a community or industry which contains human, industrial and
commercial waste and other dissolved or suspended organic and inorganic matter.
Wastewater Analysis
The determination of the physical features, chemical composition and biological condition of
wastewater samples.
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Wastewater Charge
A service charge made for providing wastewater collection,treatment and disposal service.A
specific charge, in contrast to an ad valorem tax to pay for such services.
Wastewater Collection System
The sewer and plumbing system used for the collection and conveyance of domestic,
commercial and industrial wastewater.
Wastewater Composition
(1) The concentrations of the various solid, liquid and gaseous constituents of wastewater. (2)
The chemical, biological and physical characteristics of the solid and liquid constituents of
wastewater and their relationships.
Wastewater Constituents and Characteristics
The individual chemical, physical, bacteriological, and radiological parameters, including
volume and flow rate and such other parameters that serve to define, classify or measure the
quality and quantity of wastewater.
Wastewater Discharge Regulations
The Districts' document also referred to as the "Ordinance" that contains the Districts'
requirements, conditions, and limitations for connecting and discharging to the sewer system,
as may be amended or modified.
Wastewater Disposal
The act of disposing wastewater by any method. Not synonymous with wastewater
treatment. Common methods and instruments of disposal are: dispersion, dilution,
evaporation, broad irrigation, infiltration, privy or cesspool.
Wastewater Facilities
The structures, equipment and processes required to collect, convey and treat domestic and
industrial wastes, and dispose of the effluent and sludge.
Wastewater Management
The collection and treatment of wastewater, including such ancillary matters as
administration and financing, engineering planning and design, operation and maintenance,
and monitoring and evaluation of overall performance.
Wastewater Reclamation
Processing of wastewater for reuse as opposed to disposal.
Wastewater Reuse
The direct or indirect use of treatment plant effluent for municipal, industrial, recreational,
agricultural or water recharge applications.
Wastewater Treatment
Any process to which wastewater is subjected in order to remove or alter its objectionable
constituents and thus render it less offensive or hazardous to human health and the
environment.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
(1) An arrangement of devices and structures for treating wastewater, industrial wastes and
sludge.Sometimes used synonymously with waste treatment plant, sewage treatment plant
or wastewater treatment works. (2)A water pollution control plant. (3)A facility engineered
and constructed to remove pollutants from a predominately liquid medium, often abbreviated
as WWTP.
Waterborne Disease
A disease caused by organisms or toxic substances carried by water. The most common
waterborne diseases are typhoid fever,Asiatic cholera, hepatitis,giardiasis, dysentery,
tetanus, polio, and other intestinal disturbances.
Water Pollution
The addition of wastewater or other harmful material to water in concentrations or quantities
that result in measurable degradation of water quality.
Watershed
A discrete geographic region defined by the movement of water on the surface and in the
ground;the area land where the water drains into a river. Also referred to as a "river-basin".
The RWQCB Region VIII is an example of a watershed.
Watershed Management
An integrated, holistic planning approach to water quality that takes into consideration all the
possible impacts to water quality within a watershed. The watershed management approach
is comprehensive in the assessment of water quality problems, and in the way it implements
solutions.
Weir
(1) A wall or plate placed in an open channel used to measure flow of water. The depth of
flow over a weir can be used to calculate flow rate,or a chart or conversion table may be
used. (2) A wall or obstruction used to control flow (from settling tanks and clarifiers)to
provide a uniform flow rate and avoid short-circuiting.
Weir Loading
A guideline used to determine the length of weir needed on settling tanks and clarifiers in
treatment plants. Used by operators to determine if weirs are hydraulically overloaded.
Weir loading gpm/ft=flow, gpm divided by length of weir, ft.
Wet Well
A compartment in which a liquid is collected, and to which the suction pipe of a pump is
connected.
Zero Discharge
A Congressionally mandated goal of the Clean Water Act;the discharge of a treated effluent
containing no substance at a concentration higherthan found normally in the local
environment.
Zone of Initial Dilution
An EPA definition abbreviated ZID;The area or zone immediately around the outfall in which
the treated effluent mixes with seawater under conditions of no currents. Generally
approximated as an area bounded by twice the water depth overthe outfall diffuser section.
lii
The California State Ocean Plan definition is more conventional, citing the criterion that initial
dilution is complete at the point at which the initial buoyancy forces of freshwater discharged
into saltwater reach equilibrium and further spreading is controlled by local currents.This
process is complete in the first few minutes following discharge.
Zooglea
Ajelly-like matrix developed by certain bacteria. A major part of activated sludge floc and
trickling filter slime.
Zoogleal Slime
Gray,slippery growth that covers rocks in a shallow stream.
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