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Home My WebLink AboutOCSD 08-02 RESOLUTION NO. OCSD08-02 ESTABLISHING SUPPORT FOR AN ENHANCED SOURCE CONTROL PROGRAM TO REDUCE THE DISCHARGE OF EMERGING POLLUTANTS A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT, ESTABLISHING SUPPORT FOR AN ENHANCED SOURCE CONTROL PROGRAM TO REDUCE THE DISCHARGE OF EMERGING POLLUTANTS OF CONCERN ******************** WHEREAS, the Ground Water Replenishment System (GWRS), a joint project of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), will take highly-treated sewer water and treat it beyond drinking water standards using advanced membrane purification facilities; WHEREAS, GWRS will increase the existing recycled water supply by providing a more reliable and higher quality source of water for recharge, irrigation, and industrial uses and for protection of the Orange County Groundwater Basin from further degradation due to seawater intrusion; WHEREAS, Section 15 of Order No. R8-2004-0002 issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Santa Ana Region requires OCSD to expand its existing industrial pretreatment/source control program to include not only contaminants that can be detrimental to the facilities or environment, but also to include emerging pollutants of concern specified by the California Department of Health Services as may be harmful to human health and drinking water supplies of Orange County; WHEREAS, Article No. 55 of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the development, operation and maintenance of the GWRS and the green acres project between OCWD and OCSD requires OCSD to control discharges that could adversely affect GWRS water quality; WHEREAS, in addition to the advanced treatment provided by OCWD, OCSD intends to enhance its existing source control program to include source control not only for industrial sources but also for domestic and commercial sources (nonindustrial sources) to reduce the discharge of emerging pollutants of concern and minimize any impacts to GWRS; WHEREAS, Special Provision 1.1 of the Ocean Discharge Permit requires OCSD to continue implementing a source control program and public education program for nonindustrial contaminants sources; WHEREAS, unlike the source control program for industrial facilities where permits are issued to regulate dischargers, implementation of source control programs for domestic and commercial sources may be implemented through a voluntary pollution prevention outreach program designed to change improper waste disposal practices; may choose to make available, to manage and minimize the discharge of contaminants from these sources; WHEREAS, OCSD is governed by a 25-member board of directors comprising of elected representatives for each of the sewer agencies, cities, and county within OCSD's 471 square mile service area and is in a position to provide a key role to assist OCSD in its efforts to manage and minimize emerging pollutants of concern by communicating with their respective agencies to collaborate with OCSD. NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section_1: Support Implementation of an Enhanced Source Control Program for Nonindustrial Sources —The Board supports the implementation of an Enhanced Source Control Program to include Nonindustrial Sources. OCSD's Enhanced Source Control Program shall be supported through cooperative efforts with member agencies. Member agencies are urged to support OCSD in reducing the discharge of emerging pollutants of concern using their existing resources for disseminating information or other effective methods. Section 2: Member Agency Participation —The Board urges member agencies to allow the use of their existing public information resources to disseminate public outreach materials pertaining to proper disposal of pollutants of concern through: a. Utility Bill Inserts b. Newsletters c. Public access cable channel d. Website link e. Informational Kiosk (located in City's public facilities such as City Hall, community centers, and libraries.) OCSD will provide public outreach materials at no cost to member agencies. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held March 26, 2008. Cha' , range County tanitatioVbistrict ATTEST: 4AVVA,y1 Clerk of th6jBoard 14"70 What do we mean by an Enhanced Source Control Program? Since the late 1970's, the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) has imple- mented a Source Control Program to regulate the discharge of conventional pollut- ants (e.g. heavy metals such as chrome, cadmium, etc.) from industrial sources. Because of the growing concern for "emerging" pollutants, it is necessary to en- A Board Resolution will.... hance the existing Source Control Program by focusing not only on industrial sources, but also residential and commercial sources. 1) Establish a formal basis of sup- - — port from the Board: Such support will encourage member agencies to What are the "Emerging" Pollutants of Concern? participate in this endeavor and will provide a formal platform for OCSD With the recent advancements in analytical chemistry and toxicology, scientists have staff to implement necessary pollu- been able to detect various unexpected pollutants in wastewater and surface water tion prevention programs through its bodies at very low concentrations. These pollutants are"emerging" in the sense that member agencies to effectively reach out to residents and commer- their effects on human health and the environment are the subjects of scientific in- vestigation and public policy debate. nial businesses within their commu- nity. Emerging pollutants fall into several general classes: pharmaceuticals and personal 2) Establish a partnership with care products including antibiotics, steroids, hormones and other"endocrine disrup- member agencies: A key to man- tors"; and a variety of miscellaneous chemicals, such as caffeine, cholesterol, fire aging non-industrial sources is coop- retardant, and pesticides, which are predominantly generated from residential and erating and coordinating with mem- commercial sources. These substances enter waterways by way of municipal, indus- trial, and agricultural wastewater systems. ber agencies that have jurisdictional authority over zoning and bylaws. By closely partnering with member agencies, OCSD is in an advanta- What is the Motivation for an Enhanced Source Control? geous position to effectively dissemi- nate critical information regarding pollution prevention practices in a With the commissioning of the Ground Water Replenishment System (GWRS), it is clear, constructive, and cost effective imperative that OCSD addresses the discharge of emerging pollutants, as this may manner to its target audience. This potentially impact the groundwater if not controlled at the source. Although GWRS continued interaction creates an fin- is well designed to reasonably remove pollutants, it is prudent and most cost effec- valuable relationship needed to im- tive to minimize the risks by taking a proactive approach in preventing these pollut- plement an effective public outreach ants from being discharged to the sewer. program. The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and Department of Health Services have also required the expansion of OCSD's Source Control Program to include pollution prevention programs that will minimize the risk of emerging pollut- ants of concern from getting into the ocean and/or drinking water that may impact public health. How will Source Control for Emerging Pollutants be Accomplished? Source Control of emerging pollutants of concern from non-industrial sources will be accomplished primarily through public education targeting residential and commercial entities. Many people are not well informed about the water quality impacts that can OCSD's Enhanced Source Control result from certain everyday behavioral practices, such as flushing unused pharmaceuti- Program will be implemented cals down the toilet, pouring volatile chemicals down the sink, or by applying excessive through cooperative efforts of the amounts of fertilizers to their lawns and gardens. OCSD's close involvement with and member agencies. Once the support of individual citizens and businesses are absolutely essential in controlling pol- Board adopts the Resolution a lutants of concern since non-industrial water pollution commonly originates from their letter will be mailed to the City combined activities of improperly disposing harmful pollutants into the sewer system. Manager of each Member Agency requesting their commitment in a voluntary countywide public out- Why is the Participation of Member Agencies Critical? reach program that is designed to effectively promote OCSD's pollu- Since public education is the key component for effectively controlling non-industrial tion prevention programs to re- sources, member agencies can help by disseminating information using their existing duce the discharge of emerging media outlets. Through partnership with member agencies, OCSD will provide the out- pollutants of concern to the sewer. reach materials to participating agencies at no cost. Without this partnership, a county- wide public outreach program solely conducted by OCSD will be cost prohibitive. It would cost OCSD approximately$820,000 annually to mail four brochures to its half-a- million rate payers. Partnership with member agencies minimizes the cost of public outreach and provides a long-term sustainable program for educating the public to con- trol the discharge of emerging pollutants. V OCSD conducted a preliminary survey of member agencies (Public Works/Public Infor- mation Personnel) to assess their willingness to participate in this partnership. Over- whelmingly, they understood the critical purpose of the GWRS project and agreed to allow the use of their existing media outlets by OCSD and to participate with the public outreach program. What is Expected from Member Agencies when they Participate in this Partnership? Member agencies are simply expected to disseminate outreach materials provided by OCSD's "No Drugs OCSD using their existing media outlets, such as: Down the Drain"Program • Utility bill inserts • Newsletters • Public access cable channel • Website link • Informational kiosk(located in City's public facilities such as City Hall, commu- nity centers, and libraries.) A pilot program with the City of Tustin was conducted by OCSD. The City of Tustin was Tom Meregillano able to smoothly integrate OCSD's outreach materials into its utility bills and newsletters. Orange County Sanitation Dist. Source Control Division (714) 593-7457 tmeregillano@ocsd.com For additional questions, please contact Do. ► ►