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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2018 Legislative Committee Meeting Agenda02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 1 of 2 Orange County Sanitation District Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Monday, February 5, 2018 12:00 P.M. Administration Building Board Room 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA (714) 593-7433 AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: DECLARATION OF QUORUM: PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to address the Committee on any item, please complete a Speaker’s Form (located at the table at the back of the room) and submit it to the Clerk of the Board or notify the Clerk of the Board the item number on which you wish to speak. Speakers will be recognized by the Chairman and are requested to limit comments to three minutes. REPORTS: The Committee Chair and the General Manager may present verbal reports on miscellaneous matters of general interest to the Committee Members. These reports are for information only and require no action by the Committee. CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar Items are considered to be routine and will be enacted, by the Committee, after one motion, without discussion. Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board) RECOMMENDATION: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on December 11, 2017. NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) 3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: 02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 2 of 2 ADJOURNMENT: The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board’s office at (714) 593-7433 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2, this agenda has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District’s Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, and on the Sanitation District’s website at www.ocsd.com, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all, or a majority of the Board of Directors, are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board. Agenda Description: The agenda provides a brief general description of each item of business to be considered or discussed. The recommended action does not indicate what action will be taken. The Board of Directors may take any action which is deemed appropriate. NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for the Committee Meeting, items must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board 14 days before the meeting. Kelly A. Lore Clerk of the Board (714) 593-7433 Klore@ocsd.com For any questions on the agenda, Committee members may contact staff at: General Manager James D. Herberg (714) 593-7300 jherberg@ocsd.com Assistant General Manager Director of Environmental Services Bob Ghirelli James Colston (714) 593-7400 (714) 593-7450 rghirelli@ocsd.com jcolston@ocsd.com Public Affairs Supervisor Jennifer Cabral (714) 593-7581 jjcabral@ocsd.com Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long (714) 593-7444 rlong@ocsd.com 12/11/2017 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, December 11, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Sebourn on Monday, December 11, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Kim led the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Sebourn, Board Chair David Shawver, Board Vice-Chair Allan Bernstein, Member-At-Large Peter Kim, Member-At-Large Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large John Withers, Member-At-Large STAFF PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Alfredo Garcia Rebecca Long Kelly Newell Tyler Ramirez OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Eric O’Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via teleconference) PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR: Chair Sebourn did not provide a report. REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER: General Manager Jim Herberg did not provide a report. ITEM NO. 1 12/11/2017 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3 CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board) MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on November 13, 2017. AYES: Bernstein, Kim, Sebourn, Shawver, and Wanke NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Wagner and Withers NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: 2. LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY PLAN AND YEAR-END REVIEW (Bob Ghirelli) Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli introduced this item and Rebecca Long, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, provided an informative PowerPoint presentation that provided legislative highlights of 2017, tours and briefings given to State and Federal delegations, and reviewed the 2018 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), reviewed the status of the legislative concept identified by the Committee regarding bid advertising. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2018 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. AYES: Bernstein, Kim, Sebourn, Shawver, and Wanke NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Wagner and Withers INFORMATION ITEMS: 3. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Ms. Long introduced Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, who provided an update on the tax bill (H.R. 1 and S. 1), highlighting the elements that have indirect and direct impacts on OCSD. Mr. Sapirstein indicated that further information pertaining to infrastructure policymaking is anticipated at the beginning of 2018. Mr. Sapirstein also provided the names of individuals recently appointed to agencies of interest to OCSD. Ms. Long provided an overview of the recent California Association of Sanitation Agencies State Legislative Committee meeting, indicating that discussions focused on legislation; as well as the priorities of the organization, which are currently flushable wipes and microplastics. In response to a question from the Committee, 12/11/2017 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3 Ms. Williams indicated that, in regard to the bid advertising legislative concept being developed by OCSD, the current priority is finding an author. 4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor, provided an overview of recent Public Affairs activities and reported that the project to update OCSD’s video library has been completed and that this was primarily undertaken as an extension of onboarding new Board Members and employees. Ms. Cabral thanked the Committee for attending the State of the District event in November. Two new videos (one pertaining to resource recovery and the other to the flushable three) were shown to the Committee. Ms. Cabral indicated that these videos will be provided to our member agencies for them to share. Vice-Chair Shawver offered local school districts as an additional avenue for sharing the videos. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: Vice-Chair Shawver thanked the consultants and staff for their commitment to the legislative efforts of OCSD and commented that it is being recognized by legislators. Director Bernstein echoed Vice-Chair Shawver’s suggestion of sharing the videos with local school districts and voiced his appreciation for the Sanitation District’s staff and consultants. Vice-Chair Shawver suggested also sharing the videos with Orange Coast Community College. Board Chair Sebourn reminded the Committee that the next Board meeting is December 20. Chair Sebourn reiterated the importance of having a working knowledge of OCSD to aid in the decision-making process and encouraged all Board Members to take the tour of both Plant Nos. 1 and 2 being offered before the December 20 Board meeting and, if unable to participate on this tour date, please contact staff to schedule a date and time. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Sebourn declared the meeting adjourned at 12:37 p.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, February 5, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. Submitted by: _____________________ Tina Knapp, CMC Clerk of the Board Page 1 of 2 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 02/05/18 To Bd. of Dir. -- AGENDA REPORT Item Number 2 Item Number -- Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Robert P. Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District) legislative affairs program includes advocating the Sanitation District’s legislative interests, sponsoring legislation (where appropriate), and seeking Federal/State funding for projects. Staff will provide an update on recent legislative activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders • Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies • Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns • Use all practical and effective means for recovering wastewater for reuse PROBLEM Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware that the Sanitation District is more than a wastewater treatment plant – treating and sending water to the ocean. The Sanitation District is an environmentally engaged organization which recycles more than 50 percent of its wastewater. Additionally, to help meet the goal of 100 percent recycling, the Sanitation District uses the byproducts from the wastewater treatment process to produce biosolids and energy used to help run the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. PROPOSED SOLUTION Work with Local, State, and Federal officials to advocate the Sanitation District’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation District, the wastewater industry, and the community as a whole. To assist in Page 2 of 2 our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to D.C. and Sacramento. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, this could affect our chances of receiving grant funding. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Assembly Member Tom Daly has agreed to author legislation on behalf of the Sanitation District that will amend public contracting code for sanitation districts to modify the bid advertising requirement to post construction bid notices in a newspaper. ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s) are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: • Federal Update & Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources • State Update & Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs • Grant Matrix 1 | Page M E M O R A N D U M TO: Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: January 15, 2018 SUBJECT: Washington Update The second and final session of the 115th Congress convened this month within a critical time to finalize spending for the current fiscal year 2018, resolve the impasse over immigration and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), address infrastructure policy and prepare for the highly anticipated fiscal year 2019 budget that the White House will transmit to Congress in February. Additionally, since our last update, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation formally transmitted its first-ever selection of projects under the WIIN program. The selection of only three projects from the western U.S. included OCSD’s proposed project. Once Congress finalizes the FY 2018 spending bill, and approves the project selections, OCSD should anticipate swift obligation of the funding assistance to its project. Last, the past few weeks were notable for re-election news. Within OCSD’s congressional delegation, Representative Royce announced his decision to retire at the end of 2018. While speculation persists that the announcement was prompted by an increasingly competitive congressional district, Royce’s decision follows actions by fellow committee chairmen that face term limits on their chairmanship that forces them to return to rank and file status. The loss of a leadership role is often cited as the motivating factor to return to private life. 2 | Page The following summarize issues of interest to OCSD. Tax Bill Enacted into Law As reported at the close of 2017, Congress gave final approval of the tax cuts bill, H.R. 1, and the president signed the measure into law. On final passage, OCSD’s congressional delegation essentially voted along party lines. Representatives Walters and Royce voted for the measure. Representative Rohrabacher joined Representatives Lowenthal, Sanchez and Correa voting against H.R. 1. As enacted, the measure imposes significant changes to the tax code impacting local governmental financing. First, state and local taxes (SALT), previously eligible for federal tax deduction would be limited to not more than $10,000 of SALT and/or property taxes. A second revision to eliminate the use of advanced refundings of municipal debt became effective for bonds issued after 12/31/2017. This action means that the practice of issuing tax exempt bonds, with a lower interest rate to allow for an early “call” on bonds that carry a higher interest rate, will no longer be available to public agencies. In a reversal of earlier tax proposals, the law restores the unrestricted use of private activity bonds (subject to state volume caps) for, among other things, public private partnerships. Finally, no changes were made to the use or availability to traditional GO and Revenue Bonds and other pure public financing tools. White House Prepares for Imminent Release of Infrastructure Plan Months of waiting for the White House infrastructure plan may soon come to an end as the president prepares for the January 30 State of the Union Address to Congress. As part of this address, we expect that a seventy plus page plan, detailing elements of the proposal, will be floated in the days leading up to the address, according to administration. The plan’s outlines are probably the worst kept secret in Washington. The proposal will rely on a federal contribution of $200 billion over ten years. The federal assistance would leverage $800 billion from nonfederal sources over the same ten years. According to administration officials the expectation is that nonfederal support would be derived from state and local resources. The outstanding question is how any plan would allocate resources among the various infrastructure needs that encompass water to roads to airports and ports, harbors and rail needs. As to the status of existing core water infrastructure assistance programs, it appears that a bifurcated approach will be pursued. First, the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program would be maintained, but only at current spending levels of approximately 1.3 billion; rather than at an increased level. Second, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) would be increased, on a funding basis to support more project funding opportunities. 3 | Page Support in Congress for the administration’s proposed plan remains uncertain. At hearings in both the House and Senate, Members on a bipartisan basis voiced support for enhancing existing programs like the State Revolving Fund, as opposed to limiting growth in these programs. Nonetheless, given the groundswell of support for WIFIA, it appears increasingly likely that some level of increased assistance for highly leveraged assistance, like WIFIA, could survive infrastructure negotiations in the coming months. Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations Remain an Open Question; Fiscal Year 2019 Budget on the Horizon As this update is written, the prospect of finalizing an FY 2018 budget appears to be a daunting task. Senate efforts to resolve immigration disputes and incorporate a compromise into a final spending bill, commit $18 billion to start construction of the border wall, and a variety of environmental policy riders, impacting permitting and other matters, have conspired to limit hopes for a final spending agreement by January 19. The current stopgap spending bill expires on this date. Therefore, it is increasingly possible, barring an unforeseen breakthrough, that Congress will need to extend stopgap spending for an additional period of time to allow for a final spending agreement to be passed. Complicating the development of a final spending bill is the February 5 deadline for the White House to transmit its FY 2019 budget request. If an FY 2018 agreement proves elusive before February 5, the prospect of finalizing two budgets at the same time would be a major challenge; especially within an election-year cycle. This could in turn lead to a year-long Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY 2018. For OCSD, the prospect of a year-long would not carry adverse consequences since funding levels would remain static, allowing for adequate funding of water infrastructure programs such as WIIN. Appointments to Federal Agencies When Congress adjourned the first session, a number of pending White House nominations in the Senate expired. In most instances, the Senate leadership simply agrees to carry-over pending nominations. However, this time, a handful of nominations were allowed to expire, requiring the White House to resubmit the nominations. Two of these nominations have a direct impact on OCSD interests. First, Kathleen Hartnett White’s nomination to become the head of the Council on Environmental Quality will need to be resubmitted. The decision not to carry the nomination into the second session was attributable to Senators’ concerns that answers to questions posed during her confirmation hearing were considered highly questionable as to whose views the responses were. The second nominee subject to renewal is Andrew Wheeler who was poised to become the Deputy Administrator at USEPA. Wheeler, who most recently served as a key official in the largest coal company, will need to reappear before the Senate to secure an approval of the nomination. While these nominations are pending, the USEPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water received confirmation. David Ross will now manage the clean water programs. OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R.1071 Paul Tonko (D-NY)Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2017. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to increase assistance for States, water systems, and disadvantaged communities; to encourage good financial and environmental management of water systems; to strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to enforce the requirements of the Act; and for other purposes. Introduced 2/13/17 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce 2/15/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 465 Bob Gibbs (R-OH)Water Quality Improvement Act. Amends the Clean Water Act to allow for integreated plan permits for CSO's and related wet weather compliance needs in association with traditional discharge mandates to allow for priority setting. Introduced 1/12/2017 Referred to House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Mark-up likely in July Watch NACWA Supports/Could become vehicle for permit term extensions to ten years from five years None Yet Assigned Frank Pallone (D-NJ)Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 2017. To enable needed drinking water standards, reduce lead in drinking water, plan for and address threats from climate change, terrorism, and source water contamination, invest in drinking water infrastructure, increase compliance with drinking water standards, foster greater community right to know about drinking water quality, and promote technological solutions for drinking water challenges. Introduced in House 2/15/17, Referred to Subcommittee on Environment 2/17/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 1663 Robert Wittman (R-VA)Water Resources Research Amendments Act. Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply research regarding the water resources research and technology institutes established under that Act. Introduced 3/21/17 Referred to Committee on Natural Resources - 3/21/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 1579 Scott H. Peters (D-CA)Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act. To require drinking water systems to assess and address their vulnerabilities to climate change, source water degradation, and intentional acts to ensure secuity and resiliency. Introduced in House 3/16/17, referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce Watch No supporters of note for OCSD Proposed Federal Legislation 2017-2018 Priority OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 434 Jeff Denham (R-CA)New WATER Act. Authorizes the Department of the Interior, for 15 years after this bill's enactment, to provide financial assistance, such as secured loans or loan guarantees, to entities that contract under federal reclamation law to carry out water projects within the 17 western states served by the Bureau of Reclamation, other states where the Bureau is authorized to provide project assistance, Alaska, and Hawaii. Introduced 1/11/17 Referred to Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans - 2/7/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 448 Jared Huffman (D-CA)Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities to exclude from gross income subsidies provided: (1) by a public utility to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any water conservation or efficiency measure; and (2) by a storm water management provider to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any storm water management measure. Introduced 1/11/2017 Referred to Committee on Ways and Means - 1/11/17 Support ACWA and CASA Support S. 692 Deb Fischer (R-NE)Water infrastructure Flexibility Act provides for integrated plan permits, to establish an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman, to promote green infrastructure, and to require the revision of financial capability guidance. Approved by Senate without objection on Unanimous Consent on 10/10/17 and referred to House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Support NACWA Supports H.R. 1654 Tom McClintock (R-CA)Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate Federal and permitting processes related to the construction of new surface water storage projects on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture and to designate the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for permit processing, and for other purposes. Introduced 3/21/17 Referred to Committee on Natural Resources,ePassed House and referred to Senate 6/26/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R.998 Jason Smith (R-MO)SCRUB Act SCRUB would institutionalize a process to identify those regulations that are eligible to be repealed. Under the measure, a bipartisan review commission would examine rules fifteen years or older that are determined to be not necessary and should be repealed immediately, or given to the appropriate agency for the purposes of prioritizing the rule for repeal. Passed House 3/1/17 240- 185, Received in Senate - referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Support No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 1653 Robert E. Latta (R-OH)Drinking Water Affordability Act amends certain provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other purposes. Introduced 3/21/2017 Referred to Subcommittee on Environment Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 1807 Louie Gohmert (R-TX) Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2017 amends the Lacey Act and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 by exempting certain water transfers between public water supplies located on, along, or across the boundaries of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana from prohibitions on illegal trade of plants and wildlife. Specifically, the prohibitions do not apply to covered water transfers containing a prohibited species if: (1) the species are present in both public water supplies before the transfer and the water is transferred directly between them; or (2) the water is transferred in a closed conveyance system (a closed system that collects, contains, and transports the flow of water, such as pipe systems) and sent directly to treatment facilities where the species will be destroyed. Introduced 3/30/2017 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) 4/27/2017 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD S. 896 Richard Burr (R-NC)A bill to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This bill amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to make permanent the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The greater of 1.5% of the annual authorized funding amount or $10 million shall be used for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes. Introduced and referred to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 4/07/2017 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 1971 Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act to provide for integrated plan permits, to establish an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman, to promote green infrastructure, and to require the revision of financial capability guidance. Introduced and referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment- 4/07/2017 Support NACWA Supports S. 880 Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)Made In America Water Infrastructure Act to ensure the use of American iron and steel in public water systems, and for other purposes. Introduced and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works 4/07/2017 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 2116 Stephen Knight (R-CA) Perchlorate Reclamation and Water Replenishment Act amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in a series of water reclamation projects to provide a new water supply to communities previously impacted by perchlorate contamination plumes. Introduced 4/25/2017 Referred to Committee on Natural Resources Watch NACWA Supports H.R. 1647 Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Act of 2017 to establish a Water Infrastructure Trust Fund, and for other purposes Introduced 3/21/2017 Referred to Subcommittee on Environment Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 2510 Peter DeFazio (D-OR)Clean Water and Jobs Creation Act of 2017 to renew the Clean Water SRF Program and to provide grants to support resiliency needs. Introduced 5/19/2017 Support CASA Supports S. 1137 Ben Cardin (D-MD)Clean Safe Reliable Water Infrastructure Act. Provides for a robust funding of SRF programs and to establish a WaterSense Program to promote water efficiency. Introduced 5/16/2017 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch No supporters of note for OCSD S. 21 Paul Rand (R-KY)Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017. This bill will provide for congressional approval of regulations with impacts of $100 million or greater. Reported to Senate from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 3266 Michael Simpson (R-ID) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018. This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for: the civil works projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and Central Utah Project; the Department of Energy (DOE); and several independent agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Reported to House without amendment 07/17/2017. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 163 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS S. 1696 Tom Udall (D-NM)Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act provides for language protecting against certification of technologies that migh impair water treatment or increase costs. Introduced 8/1/17 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Watch No supporters of note for OCSD but anticipate CASA and WateReuse will support H.R. 3275 Jerry McNerney (D-CA)Water and Energy Sustainability through Technology Act provides for assistance to support innovation in water treatment and water use efficiency. Introduced and referred to Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, Science Space and Technology, Agriculture 8/8/17 Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 3354 Kenneth Calvert (R-CA) Department of the Interior, Envirnment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018. This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies. The bill provides annual appropriations for most of the Department of the Interior, including: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program (PILT), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure on 7/21/17. Passed/agreed to in House on 9/14/17 Pending FY 18 Budget negotiations Watch No supporters of note for OCSD Clean Water SRF is funded at $1.3 billion (current level) S. 1609 Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018. This bill provides FY2018 appropriations for: the civil works projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and Central Utah. Introduced in the Senate on 7/20/17. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. Pending Budget Negotiations Watch No supporters of note for OCSD Strong funding for water recycling project assistance under Title XVI and WIIN OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS S. 1622 Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Beach Act of 2017. This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize through FY2021 a grant program for monitoring, and notifying the public of, any pathogens in coastal recreation waters bordering public beaches. Senate - 07/24/2017 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 2755 Frank Pallone (D-NJ)Beach Act of 2017. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize through FY2021 a grant program for monitoring, and notifying the public of, any pathogens in coastal recreation waters bordering public beaches. House - 05/26/2017 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch No supporters of note for OCSD H.R. 2510 Peter DeFazio (D-OR)Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2017. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds, and for other purposes. House - 05/18/2017 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment S. 1464 Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)Water Conservation Tax Parity Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities to exclude from gross income subsidies provided (directly or indirectly): (1) by a public utility to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any water conservation or efficiency measure; and (2) by a storm water management provider to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any storm water management measure. Senate - 6/28/2017 Referred to the Committee on Finance WateReuse Supports S. 1700 Tom Udall (D-NM)Water Efficiency Improvement Act of 2017. Amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish a WaterSense program within the Enivronmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes. Senate - 8/2/2017 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 2799 Jerry McNerney (D-CA)Western Water Recycling and Drought Relief Act. Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Department of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of recycled water system facilities in California. House - 6/7/2017 Referred to Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans H.R. 3533 Salud Carbajal (D-CA)Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2017. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program, and for other purposes. House - 7/28/2017 Referred to Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources H.R. 3906 Denny Heck (D-WA)Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2017. Establishes centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure, and for other purposes. House - 10/2/2017 Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Committee on Science, Space, and Technology H.R. 4177 Matt Cartwright (D-PA)PREPARE Act of 2017. Enhances the Federal Government’s planning and preparation for extreme weather and the Federal Government’s dissemination of best practices to respond to extreme weather, thereby increasing resilience, improving regional coordination, and mitigating the financial risk to the Federal Government from such extreme weather, and for other purposes. Hosue - 10/31/2017 Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Committee on Oversight and Government Reform H.R. 4492 Brian Mast (R-FL)Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2017. Reauthorizes and amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014. House -11/30/2017 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Committee on Energy and Commerce OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 2917 Bob Gibbs (R-OH)Regulatory Certainty Act of 2017. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify when the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to prohibit the specification of a defined area, or deny or restrict the use of a defined area for specification, as a disposal site under section 404 of such Act, and for other purposes. House - 6/15/2017 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure S. 1996 Cory Booker (D-NJ)Environmental Justice Act of 2017. Requires Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/24/2017 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works H.R. 4114 Raul Ruiz (D-CA)Environmental Justice Act of 2017. Requires Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes. House - 10/24/2017 Referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce, Committee on Natural Resources, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Committee on Judiciary H.R. 1 Kevin Brady (R-TX) Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses. House - 11/2/2017 Passed House, Became law 12/22/2017 H.R. 4397 Mimi Walters (R-CA)California Wildfire Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2017. Provides tax relief with respect to California wildfires. House - 11/15/2017 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 3131 Bill Hiuzenga (R-MI)Endangered Species Litigation Reasonableness Act. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to replace the current standard for awarding court costs, including attorney fees, in citizen suits with the federal judicial code standard for awarding costs to a prevailing party. House - 6/29/2017 Referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Committee on Judiciary H.R. 4460 Lou Barletta (R-PA)Disaster Recovery Reform Act. Improves the provision of disaster and mitigation assistance to eligible individuals and households and to eligible State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments and certain private nonprofit organizations, and for other purposes. House - 11/28/2017 Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Committee on Financial Services Legend: ACC-OC- Association of California Cities, Orange County LOCC- League of California Cities NYC- Not Yet Considered CASA- California Association of Sanitation Agencies NACWA - National Association of Clean Water Agencies ACWA- Association of California Water Agencies CSDA- California Special Districts Association To: Orange County Sanitation District From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Date: January 15, 2018 Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report State Political Update The Legislature returned from Interim Recess on January 3 for the second year of the current two-year session. They face quick deadlines, as all bills introduced in 2017 that failed to pass out of their house of origin must pass that house by January 31. The last day to introduce new legislation is February 16, 2018. Below is a list of upcoming deadlines in the Legislature: • January 19 – Last day for any committee to pass bills that were introduced in 2017 to the floor • January 31 – Last day for each house to pass bills that were introduced in 2017 • February 16 – Last day for new bills to be introduced • March 22 – Spring Recess begins The composition of the Legislature has changed significantly since it adjourned in September 2017. Three members of the Assembly voluntarily vacated their positions during the Interim Recess. Both Assembly Member Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) and Assembly Member Dababneh (D-Encino) stepped down as a result of sexual harassment allegations, whereas Assembly Member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Paramount) vacated his seat due to health concerns. In addition, Assembly Member Jimmy Gomez is no longer in the Assembly due to his special election victory in 2017 for the U.S. House of Representatives, a seat left vacated when Governor Brown appointed Xavier Becerra as Attorney General. Gomez’s former seat in the Assembly was filled through a special election by local labor activist Wendy Carillo in December 2017. Due to the resignations of multiple members, the Assembly no longer has a two-thirds majority. The Senate also underwent substantial changes since it last adjourned in September 2017. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) agreed to take a temporary leave of absence from his seat amid accusations of inappropriate behavior. Although the Senator is still a member of the Legislature, he will not vote nor conduct the typical activities of the office until a pending investigation has finished. The absence of Senator Mendoza removes the Democrats two-third majority in the Senate. Governor Brown’s January Budget On January 10th, the Governor released his FY 2018-2019 Budget proposal, the first step in the Budget process. The Governor’s proposed budget contains $131.7 billion in General Fund spending and fully funds the State’s rainy-day account. The budget represents an increase of $5.1 billion in General Fund expenditures when compared to last year, as well as a one-time $5.1 billion deposit into the rainy-day fund. January 2018 Report 2 During his press conference, the Governor indicated that increases in state revenues will be used judiciously. The Governor also stressed the importance of preparation for the next recession and the potential impacts from various federal actions. Additional details of the Governor’s 2018-2019 Budget proposal are below. Water The Governor’s January budget did not include any sweeping changes to the general funding levels of water and sanitation resources. However, the budget did include slightly over $1 billion from the pending park/water bond (SB 5) that will be on the ballot in June 2018. The budget mainly appropriates funding from SB 5 for local and regional park grant programs, climate adaptation, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation, flood management, and safe drinking water projects. Additionally, the budget provides funding for the SWRCB and the Department of Food and Agriculture to create a “Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund”, consistent with the policy language set forth by SB 623 (Monning). This fund aims to provide funding to failing disadvantaged water systems that have high levels of contaminants. One of the funding sources for this fund is a tax on users of public water systems. Trailer bill language for this concept is expected to be available in early February for comment. Cap and Trade The Governor indicated in his press conference that he would have a draft Cap and Trade expenditure plan ready in time for his State of the State address on January 25. Legislative Budget committees and sub-committees will meet starting in February to discuss the proposals in the Governor’s January budget. In addition, the Governor’s office will continue to work on the policies and principles as laid out during the Governor’s press conference. The Administration will also begin working toward the May Revise, a revised budget proposal based on more accurate tax revenue reports. TPA will keep the District informed about the budget process and corresponding trailer bills that contain policy directives or funding opportunities. Proposed Legislation for 2018 Assembly Member Tom Daly has agreed to author legislation on behalf of OCSD that will address the requirements to advertise construction bids in print newspapers. When the bill is formally introduced, TPA will work with Assembly Member Daly’s staff and OCSD to guide the bill through the legislative process. OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 869 Rubio [D]Sustainable water use and demand reduction: recycled water. Current law imposes various water use reduction requirements that apply to urban retail water suppliers, including a requirement that the state achieve a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use by December 31, 2020. This bill would require long-term standards for urban water conservation and water use to include a credit for recycled water, as specified. Currently in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water ACC-OC - Support LOCC - Watch CASA - Support NACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 1250 Jones-Sawyer [D]Counties: contracts for personal services Would establish specific standards for the use of personal services contracts by counties. The bill would allow a county or county agency to contract for personal services currently or customarily performed by employees, as applicable, when specified conditions are met. The bill would exempt certain types of contracts from its provisions, and would exempt a city and county from its provisions. By placing new duties on local government agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill also would provide that its provisions are severable. This bill was amended to exclude cities, and does NOT apply to special districts. Held in the Senate Rules Committee. Oppose Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that allow public agencies to procure goods and services in manners similar to private industry, thereby reducing overall costs of delivery ACC-OC - Removed Opposition LOCC - Removed Opposition CASA - Refer to Leg Committee NACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch Proposed Legislation 2017-2018 High Priority OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 623 Monning [D]Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund Would establish the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund in the State Treasury and would provide that moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the State Water Resources Control Board. The bill would require the board to administer the fund to secure access to safe drinking water for all Californians, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of drinking water service and infrastructure. The bill would authorize the state board to provide for the deposit into the fund of federal contributions, voluntary contributions, gifts, grants, bequests, and settlements from parties responsible for contamination of drinking water supplies. The bill was amended on August 21 to include a public goods charge on water, identified as $0.95 per month fee for customers with water meters up to one inch or customers without water meters. The feees increase depending on the size of the water meter, up to $10 per month for customers with water meters greater than four inches. The policy and fees set forth by this bill have been included in the Governor's January Budget proposal. Held in the Assembly Rules Committee. Watch State and Federal Tactics: Work with CASA in support of continued use of tax-exempt financing and feasibile innocating financing approaches. ACC-OC - NYC LOCC - Concerns CASA - Watch Closely NACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose unless Amended SCA 4 Hertzberg [D]Water conservation. The California Constitution requires that the water resources of the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented.This measure would declare the intent of the Legislature to amend the California Constitution to provide a program that would ensure that affordable water is available to all Californians and to ensure that water conservation is given a permanent role in California’s future. Currently in the Senate Rules Committee Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that necessitate the responsible use of water in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. ACC-OC -NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Work with Author NACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS TBD Daly [D]Assembly Member Tom Daly has agreed to author a bill on behalf of OCSD that will address requirements to advertise construction bids in print newspapers. When the bill is formally introduced, TPA will update the matrix to reflect the bill number and summary. Not yet introduced Sponsor AB 1654 Rubio [D]Water shortage: urban water management planning. AB 1654 would have required each urban retail water supplier to report annually by June 15 to the Department of Water Resources the status of its water supplies for that year and whether the supplies will be adequate to meet projected customer demand. The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee amended all language out of this bill all other related bills. The Committee and stakeholders negotiated a new urban water management plan (AB 1668), however they were unable to pass the bill. Currently on Senate Rules Committee Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance ACC-OC - Support LOCC - Support CASA - Watch NACWA - NYC CSDA - Support AB 1668 Friedman [D]Water management planning. Current law requires the state to achieve a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use in California by December 31, 2020. Current law requires each urban retail water supplier to develop urban water use targets and an interim urban water use target, as specified. This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board, in coordination with the Department of Water Resources, to adopt long-term standards for the efficient use of water, as provided, and performance measures for commercial, industrial, and institutional water use on or before June 30, 2021. This issue will be discussed again in 2018. Amendments are expected once stakeholders negotiate a compromise. Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance ACC-OC - Oppose LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC NACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose unless amended Additional Legislation OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 212 Jackson [D]Medical waste. Current law, the Medical Waste Management Act, administered by the State Department of Public Health, regulates the management and handling of medical waste, as defined.This bill add to the act a definition of “home-generated pharmaceutical waste” as a prescription or over-the-counter human or veterinary home-generated pharmaceutical that is waste and is derived from a household, including, but not limited to, a multifamily residence or household. This bill is a follow-up/cleanup bill for Senator Jackson's SB 1229 (2016), which provides that certain collectors who are authorized under federal law to engage in drug take-back collection with limited protection from civil and criminal liability. Currently in the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Support State Priorities: Support legislation or regulations that would prevent the disposing of drugs down the drain ACC-OC -NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Watch NACWA - NYC CSDA - Support SB 606 Skinner [D]Water management planning Current law requires the state to achieve a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use in California by December 31, 2020. Current law requires each urban retail water supplier to develop urban water use targets and an interim urban water use target, as specified. The bill would require an urban retail water supplier to calculate an urban water use objective no later than July 1, 2022, and by July 1 every year thereafter, and its actual urban water use by those same dates. Currently on the Senate Floor. Amendments are expected once stakeholders negotiate a compromise. Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance ACC-OC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC NACWA - NYC CSDA - TBD Legend: ACC-OC - Association of California Cities, Orange County LOCC - League of California Cities NYC - Not Yet Considered CASA - California Association of Sanitation Agencies NACWA - National Association of Clean Water Agencies ACWA - Association of California Water Agencies CSDA - California Special Districts Association Name of Grant/Loan Synopsis of Grant/Loan Amount of Grant/Loan Amount Applying for Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Match Deadline Category Rcvd Grant/ Financing Y/N California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank CA0272 Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program The purpose of this program is to provide accessible low- cost financing to eligible borrowers for a wide range of infrastructure and economic expansion projects. Eligible activities generally include designing, acquiring, planning, permitting, entitling, constructing, improving, extending, restoring, financing, and generally developing eligible facilities within the state of California. Program funding is available in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $25 million, with loan terms for the useful life of the project up to a maximum of 30 years. TBD Evaluating Multiple (possible projects). Evaluating the program.Might be for smaller projects.N/A, loan program Rolling Water/Energy/ Infrastructure TBD Cap and Trade Funding $900 million from the Cap and Trade program (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) was appropriated in the last legislative session. $900 million TBD TBD TBD OCSD would not be eligible to apply for the vast majority of this money. While most of the Cap and Trade spending plan is not connected to the services OCSD provides, the funding did include $40 million for waste diversion projects. Staff and TPA will closely monitor the development of this program. TBD Unknown at this time Energy TBD 2018 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program The Proposition 1 IRWM Grant Program, administered by DWR, provides funding for projects that help meet the long term water needs of the state, including: Assisting water infrastructure systems adapt to climate change; Providing incentives throughout each watershed to collaborate in managing the region's water resources and setting regional priorities for water infrastructure TBD TBD TBD TBD TPA and OCSD are monitoring the grant program development from the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). Once the solicitation for bids is available, we can determine if an application is warranted. Yes. Details TBD Unknown at this time Water TBD 2018 Proposed Park Bond SB 5 (De Leon) includes $375 million for each of the follow categories: Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM),Water Recycling Groundwater Sustainability Clean, Safe, Reliable Drinking Water $1.5 billion in overall water funding. $375 million for Water Recycling and $375 million for Intergrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) to be funneled into the existing programs. TBD If SB 5 passes the legislature and is signed by the Governor, it will be placed on the statewide ballot in 2018. Funds will likely not be available until 2019. N/A TPA and OCSD will advocate for the inclusion of this funding in the final version of the parks bond legislation. If funding becomes available, TPA and staff will evaluate the opportunity. TBD TBD Water No The Water Infrastructure Improvements Act (S. 612/Public Law #114-322/WIIN) The enactment of the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act (S. 612/Public Law #114-322/WIIN) contained important assistance for water recycling and desalination. Senator Feinstein included $50 million to support construction of projects that have a final and deemed feasible study of a recycling project. In securing this new competitive grants program at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Senator Feinstein highlighted the identification of several water and wastewater agencies that would benefit from the assistance. OCSD is one of these agencies. $1.5 Million Yes Final Expansion of GWRS (planning, design and construction) Headworks The Sanitation District is applying for Headworks Segregation project that will help to bring more water to the GWRS. Title 16 will pay up to 25 percent of the available money 8/15/2017 Water/ Infrastructure Received notification of award on 11/27/17 for $1,325,000.00 The USEPA Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund The fund addresses petroleum releases from regulated underground storage tanks. The LUST program receives approximately $100 million annually to prevent, detect, and clean up releases. Assistance is provided through grants. Eligible activities include removal of tanks and cleanup of contaminated areas. TBD Evaluating Cleanup of contaminated soils at Plant No. 1 We will review the grant to determine if it is a fit for the project. TBD Infrastructure TBD US Department of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture through its health watersheds program offers public-owned wastewater agencies funding through collaboration with agricultural interests where funding would be provided to the agricultural entity that would contribute to efforts to protect the watershed and minimize regulatory burdens on the point source. A total of $100 million is funded annually and the opportunity to design a watershed program might offer OCSD with the chance to advance its priority to reduce regulatory burdens. TBD TBD Reviewing the funding opportunity to see if there is a fit for OCSD. (Restoration of beaches and estuaries) We will review the possible funding opportunity to determine if it is a fit for the Sanitation District. TBD Water TBD OCSD's Grant and Loan Funding Tracker 2017-2018 STATE FEDERAL Updated 1/17/2018 Name of Grant/Loan Synopsis of Grant/Loan Amount of Grant/Loan Amount Applying for Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Match Deadline Category Rcvd Grant/ Financing Y/N OCSD's Grant and Loan Funding Tracker 2017-2018 The Department of Energy (DOE), USBR and USEPA The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency is likely to continue to be funded by Congress to support such efforts as biogas, biosolids and green energy. A minimum of $20 million to as much as $100 million based upon prior years’ budgets. USBR could receive as much as $130 million in support of the WaterSmart (due to increased funding under WIIN) during the next several years. USBR will issue solicitations for innovative approaches to managing water and water treatment through technology and processes. TBD TBD. We will monitor for possible funding opportunities Project Funding Opportunity: Energy production to reduce costs of recycled water through innovative technologies like Aquacritox, Innovative water monitoring technology that can produce efficient real time monitoring and data analysis, Biogas Management and Use Improvements. We will review the possible funding opportunity to determine if it is a fit for the Sanitation District. TBD Energy TBD Smart Cities and Security It is unclear how the incoming administration may revise existing programs that address energy and water efficiency needs. However, the effort to support communities develop approaches that improve the quality of life in communities might continue to receive funding. OCSD might be able to leverage such program assistance to support innovative approaches to security. Funding may also be available through Department of Homeland Security to assist communities to protect against cyber- threats. TBD TBD TBD. Based on the funding opportunities and OCSD's projects/needs. Project Funding Opportunity: SCADA System and Network Upgrades, Seismic Hazard Evaluation (FEMA Mitigation Assistance) If funding becomes available we will evaluate the opportunity. Unknown at this time Energy/Water TBD WIFIA The WIFIA program accelerates investment in our nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. To qualify for funding assistance a project must cost at least $20 million. The USEPA has expressed an interest in projects that deliver multiple benefits that might capture water recycling as well as projects that address stormwater and other “large project” needs. $2 billion N/A No Possible projects: GWRS Final Expansion, District 6 Trunk Sewer Relief Project, Headworks Rehabilitation/Expansion Headquarters Complex, Site and Security/Entrance Realignment, Western Regional Sewers—Planning and design and construction The Sanitation District does not plan to borrow funds to complete projects. The Water District might qualify for these loans and OCSD will support them if they choose to do so. 4/10/2017 Water/ Infrastructure N/A Updated 1/17/2018 Page 1 of 3 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 02/05/18 To Bd. of Dir. -- AGENDA REPORT Item Number 3 Item Number -- Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Robert P. Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. BACKGROUND Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders • Use all practical and effective means for recovering wastewater for reuse • Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies • Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns PROBLEM Many Californians are not aware of the Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) and the important work we do to keep the environment clean by using the wastewater byproducts to create energy, water recycling and the use of biosolids. Additionally, they are not aware that more than 50 percent of the wastewater is recycled and used to replenish the Orange County Groundwater Basin. In general, the community and businesses do not realize that when they improperly dispose of waste into the sanitation system, it can negatively affect the work we do and the quality of water we supply for the Groundwater Replenishment System. PROPOSED SOLUTION By providing tours, community outreach education and general communication via the Sanitation District’s website, social media outlets and mainstream media, we have the ability to educate the community, local agencies, and businesses on the What2Flush program, energy production, water recycling, biosolids and our source control program. This, in turn, results in a better quality of wastewater. Page 2 of 3 TIMING CONCERNS N/A RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not educate the community, local agencies and area businesses about the Sanitation District, we lose an opportunity to educate thousands of people about our plants, source control and the wastewater industry as a whole. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION January 2018 Outreach Stats Activity # # of Guests OCSD/OCWD Tours 2 29 OCSD Tours 6 83 Speaking Events 3 240 Items of Interest for February 2018: Proposition 218 On February 9, Proposition 218 compliant notifications will be mailed to affected property owners outlining a five-year regional sewer service fee schedule with annual increases of approximately 1.2 percent over the next five fiscal years, beginning with Fiscal Year 2018-19. In preparation for this mailing, the Sanitation District’s website will have a new rate section with frequently asked questions along with the Prop. 218 notification in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Meetings have been scheduled with the Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Tax Association. A meeting with the Building Industry Association is currently being coordinated. Orange County Sanitation District/OCWD Celebrates GWRS 10-Year Anniversary The Sanitation District and OCWD will be hosting a Winter Fest on February 16 to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Groundwater Replenishment System. At the same time, we will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most wastewater purified to drinking water standards in a 24-hour period. Sanitation District staff will provide an update on activities to the Committee. Page 3 of 3 CEQA N/A FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS N/A ATTACHMENTS The following attachments are attached in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: • Outreach Calendar January 2018 • Media Clips January 2018 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee 1/4/2018 1000 - 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Achievement Institute of Science Studies Tour. 30 Guests Jeff Armstrong Tour Guide 1/5/2018 1000 - 1400 Plant Tour Boardroom Reporter to tour P1 with Jim Herberg Jim Herberg Tour Guide 1/10/2018 1400 - 1530 Plant Tour Room C Joanne Diaz Group Tour. 15 guests Ann Crafton Tour Guide 1/12/2018 900 - 1201 Plant Tour Boardroom SA Valley HS Tours 50 students Brian Bingman Tour Guide 1/16/2018 1000 - 1130 Speaking Engagement Boardroom Dir. Bilodeau - Trinity church group to tour P1. 15 guest. Bob Ghirelli Speaker 1/17/2018 1230 - 1430 Plant Tour Boardroom HB STEM teachers to tour P1. 2 guests Mark Esquer Tour Guide 1/18/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour A & B Godinez Fundamental High School Tour. 25 guests Belen Carrillo Tour Guide 1/22/2018 930 - 1100 Plant Tour Room C OCC Tour. 25 guests Rich Leon Tour Guide 1/23/2018 1030 - 1230 Plant Tour GM Conf. Room Bergstrom Media Tour. Rebecca Long Tour Guide 1/25/2018 900 - 1000 Speaking Engagement Costa Mesa Regulatory Update for the Industrial Environmental Coalition of Orange County. Chris Stacklin Speaker 1/30/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom New Employee/Open to the Public Tour Ann Crafton Tour Guide 2/1/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Tarbut HS Tour. 16 guests. Brian Bingman Tour Guide 2/7/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Tour. 12 guests Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 2/8/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tours A & B San Clemente HS Tours. 50 students Ann Crafton Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott OCSD Outreach Report 1/23/2018 Contact Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott 1/23/2018 7:00:39 AM Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee OCSD Outreach Report 1/23/2018 Contact 2/9/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tours Boardroom Coastkeepers Estancia HS Tours. 40 guests Cindy Murra Tour Guide 2/15/2018 1300 - 1500 Plant Tour Boardroom Long Beach Unified School Tour 40 guests Leyla Perez Tour Guide 2/16/2018 1300 - 1500 Plant Tour Boardroom Long Beach Unified School Tour, 40 guests Lisa Frigo Tour Guide 2/20/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tour Boardroom Coastkeeper Sonora High School Tours. 50 guests Brian Bingman Tour Guide 2/21/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Vanguard Nursing Tour. Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 2/23/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santiago HS Coastkeeper Tour. 25 guests Belen Carrillo Tour Guide 2/26/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Oxford Academy Tour. 30 guests Sterling Harris Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott 1/23/2018 7:00:39 AM OCSD Public Affairs Office Monthly News Clippings January 2018 Table of Contents HUMAN INTEREST…………………………………………… ................. PAGE 1 November 30, 2017 Parsons acquisition will boost company’s defense against cyberattacks By: Kevin Smith Pasadena Star-News December 23, 2017 Beumont needs a $110 million wastewater plant project but isn’t sure how to pay for it By: Craig Shultz The Press Enterprise HYDROGEN CELL…………………………………………… ................. PAGE 6 November 30, 2017 Toyota to build first commercial scale 100% renewable power plant Phoebe Wall Howard Detroit Free Press SEWAGE SPILLS…………………………………………… ................... PAGE 9 January 22, 2018 Alarm failed as 5 million gallons of sewage spilled into Monterey Bay KSBW8/AP News TWITTER POSTINGS …………………………………………… ............. PAGE 11 FACEBOOK POSTINGS ……………………………………………………PAGE 24 1 Beaumont needs a $110 million wastewater plant project but isn’t sure how to pay for it By Craig Shultz | cshultz@scng.com | The Press‐Enterprise  December 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm  Beaumont is continuing a project to upgrade and expand its wastewater treatment plant, but how  the $110 million project will be paid for is still being pondered.  The project comes after a regional water quality board required the city to make the  improvements. The plant must be expanded because it’s operating above a 75 percent threshold.  Mayor Nancy Carroll said the plant has ramifications far beyond meeting standards and serving  today’s residents. Banning’s future growth depends on solid infrastructure, she said.   “Everybody wants economic development — restaurants, better shopping, movie theaters,” she  said. “Unless you plan for an improved and more strategic response, you won’t get anybody to  make that investment.”  The project includes advanced treatment systems that will produce recycled water.  But that will necessitate a system to dispose of brine waste. The city is working with the Santa Ana  Watershed Authority and Orange County Sanitation district to get a permit to discharge the brine  into the Inland Empire Brine line  Beaumont received a Dec. 31 deadline for its expansion and financing plans, which were discussed  at a Tuesday, Dec. 19, meeting.  Lloyd White, who just finished his term as mayor, said about 60 percent of the price tag is  to upgrade the plant, which will be paid for with money the city has been collecting from a  2013 sewer rate increase.  The Press Enterprise  December 23, 2017  2 But the city must find dollars to tap into the brine line.  “The plan is to fund it through debt,” White said. “The bigger question is, how are we going to pay  for the debt.”  The city plans to pay for the project in part by again raising sewer rates.  A proposal to increase the rate 4.19 percent March 1 and 7 percent annually on Jan. 1, 2019,  through 2022 was put on hold during a Dec. 5 city council meeting.  Enough questions were brought up to pause the process and study it more, White said  The  proposal will likely come back to the council in summer, he said.  Under state law, rates can’t rise without giving ratepayers a chance to protest the higher cost.  At the Dec. 5 session, City Manager Todd Parton suggested stopping the current rate process so the  city could schedule community meetings to give residents background and explain its reasons  behind rate adjustments, meeting transcripts show.  White said ratepayers will be queried to see if they prefer a gradual increase starting sooner or to  wait and tack on a larger increase in the future.  “We don’t have to begin increasing rates right away,” he said. “We don’t need the money right  away for the brine line.”  Beaumont provides sewer service to the entire city and some properties outside the city limits. It  does not have a water department.  The latest decision was made the day that four former Beaumont officials accused of corruption  pleaded guilty Tuesday, Dec. 19, to charges including embezzlement, misappropriation of public  funds and conflict of interest, and agreed to pay a total of $8.1 million in restitution.  While the case isn’t fully closed, other issues the city was facing have been concluded and finances  are improving giving the city and council an almost clean slate headed into 2018.  “We’d like to put it all behind us and move forward,” White said.  3 Parsons acquisition will boost company’s defense against cyberattacks By Kevin Smith | kvsmith@scng.com | San Gabriel Valley Tribune  PUBLISHED: November 30, 2017 at 11:53 am | UPDATED: November 30, 2017 at 12:40 pm  When you’re in the business of building energy facilities, metering systems, railway extensions and  closed‐circuit TV networks, security is a big concern.  Pasadena Star‐News  November 30, 2017  4 Protecting the automated systems that control those assets from cyberattacks is a reality. That’s  what prompted Parsons Corp., a technology‐driven engineering firm headquartered in Pasadena, to  acquire Williams Electric Co. The Ft. Walton Beach company specializes in integrating hardware and  software from multiple suppliers into one control system.   Enhanced protection  Condensing those elements into one network — a process known as “control system integration”  — provides greater control while also reducing the chance that a system could be hacked. And  when paired with Parsons’ expertise in infrastructure development and cybersecurity, an asset is  far better protected.  “This acquisition should be viewed as the latest investment within Parsons’ strategy to grow our  leadership position in protecting critical infrastructure assets from threats targeting connected  operational technologies, including control systems,” Chuck Harrington, Parsons chairman and CEO  said in a statement when the acquisition was announced Tuesday.  Southland projects  Parsons has been involved with a variety of major projects in Southern California. They  include construction management‐support services for a multibillion‐dollar upgrade to facilities at  the Orange County Sanitation District, consulting for a $60 million dry‐bulk terminal at the Port of  Los Angeles and design management for a U.S. Air Force office complex in El Segundo, among  others.  Parsons and Williams Electric already share several customer relationships within the U.S.  government, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as numerous classified customer  engagements. Parsons expects the acquisition to fuel significant growth in its control‐system  business, both here in the U.S. and internationally.  Prime markets  Carey Smith, president of Parsons’ Federal Business Unit, said the company’s existing contractual  relationships with customers in the departments of Defense, Energy, Veterans Affairs and  elsewhere are ideal environments for the company’s now expanded services.  “We do a lot of work for the intelligence community as well as the Department of Defense,” she  said. “With the Federal Business Unit we’re dealing with physical assets like closed‐circuit TV  systems, command‐control centers and cyber defense systems. And certainly in regions such as the  Middle East where Parsons has been a tier‐one player for decades, Williams Electric will bring new  opportunities on both sides of the acquisition.”  Infrastructure at risk  5 Virginia Grebbien, a corporate executive vice president and chief of staff at Parsons, expressed  concerns over potential cyberattacks in an op‐ed that appeared recently on Fox News.  “Electric grids, dams, mass‐transit systems and air traffic control centers are all vulnerable,” she  said. “A simple network connection and a single swipe on a touchpad can be entry points to an  infrastructure attack.”  Many of the control systems for infrastructure throughout the U.S. are outdated, Grebbien said, as  they were installed long before cybersecurity became a real threat.  “Updating these systems is a proverbial race against the clock and there must be greater  collaboration between the private and public sectors to get the job done,” she said. “The pace with  which the infrastructure industry and government agencies embrace security innovation must  rapidly increase.”  The U.S. Senate recently addressed the issue when it passed the $700 billion National Defense  Authorization Act with several amendments that address cybersecurity — including critical  infrastructure.  Some company facts  With more than 100 offices worldwide, Parsons has a total of about 14,000 employees, 4,000 of  whom work in the company’s Federal Business Unit. The Williams Electric workers will be folded  into that division. Parsons is a global leader in diverse markets that focus on infrastructure, defense  security and construction.  6 Toyota to build first commercial scale 100% renewable power plant Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press Published 11:00 a.m. ET Nov. 30, 2017 | Updated 12:17 p.m. ET Nov. 30, 2017 The Toyota Mirai, an hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, is displayed at the Paris Auto Show in September 2016.(Photo: Christophe Ena, AP) Detroit Free Press  November 30, 2017  7 LOS ANGELES – Toyota Motor North America plans to build a power plant in California that captures methane gas from dairy cattle waste to generate water, electricity and hydrogen. “We understand the tremendous potential to reduce emissions and improve society,” said Doug Murtha, group vice president, strategic planning. The company announced the project Thursday at the Los Angeles auto show. The Tri-Gen Project at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., will be the world’s first commercial-scale 100% renewable power and hydrogen generation plant.Toyota is betting heavily on fuel cell technology, especially in Japan. When it comes online around 2020, Tri-Gen will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of about 2,350 average-sized homes and meet the daily driving needs of nearly 1,500 vehicles – approximately 2.35 megawatts of electricity and 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day, according to Toyota. Toyota’s Heavy Duty hydrogen fuel cell class 8 truck, known as Project Portal. (Photo: Toyota) In addition, the hydrogen fueling station will support the automaker’s operations at the port. “Tri-Gen is a major step forward for sustainable mobility and a key accomplishment of our 2050 environmental challenge to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from our operations,” Murtha said. The facility will supply all Toyota fuel cell vehicles moving through the port, including new deliveries of the Mirai sedan and Toyota’s Heavy Duty hydrogen fuel cell class 8 truck, known as Project Portal. To support these refueling operations, Toyota has also built one of the largest hydrogen fueling stations in the world on-site. 8 “In most states, you have a conventional natural gas pipeline network that provides heat for your stove or furnace. The majority of natural gas comes from drilling for well gases,” said Matt McClory, senior engineer with Toyota research and development. “We’re trying to green up this process. One way is to find renewable sources, like from gases emitted from landfills, wastewater treatment plants and farm animals.” For this project, Toyota will source renewable methane from agricultural waste, primarily from dairy farm manure in California, said McClory, who graduated from high school in Lemoore, Calif., known for its dairy cattle operations. Tri-Gen has been developed by FuelCell Energy with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange County Sanitation District, and the University of California at Irvine, where research helped develop the core technology. Thirty-one retail hydrogen stations are now open in California, and Toyota continues to partner with a range of companies to develop new stations. That includes a partnership with Shell that represents the first such collaboration between an automotive and oil company, Toyota said. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: phoward@freepress.com or 313-222-6512. Follow her on Twitter: @phoebesaid 9        SOURCE: KSBW     Alarm failed as 5 million gallons of sewage spilled into Monterey Bay  MONTEREY, Calif. (By KSBW and AP) — Jan. 22  Nearly 5 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Monterey Bay after a bar screen at a water  treatment plant got clogged, and the computer system failed to sound an alarm, a manager said  Monday.  It took eight hours for the Marina wastewater facility to stop the spill.  Monterey One Water general manager Paul Sciuto said the spill began Friday night, and an operator  at the plant stopped the spill on Saturday morning.  The plant "discharged untreated wastewater into the Monterey Bay through their ocean outfall  discharge pipe. The discharge pipe extends out into the ocean two miles," Monterey One Water  wrote.   Monterey One Water is formerly known as the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency.  KSBW8/AP News  January 22, 2018    10 Sciuto said it has not yet been determined what caused the computer failure.  Eight beaches remained closed Monday because of the sewage spill: Carmel Beach at Ocean Avenue,  Monterey Municipal Beach, Lovers Point, the Beach at Monterey State Beach, San Carlos Beach, the  beach at Sunset Drive at Asilomar, the beach at Spanish Bay and Stillwater Cove.  Monterey County public health officials wrote, "Contact with contaminated water may cause  gastroenteritis and other water borne illnesses. Higher levels of bacteria have been associated with  the increased potential risk of illness."  Sciuto said lab samples were taken Sunday afternoon to determine if the water is safe, and that  results are expected later Monday.  KSBW Monterey     11 Twitter Posts for December 2017 and January 2018 Tweeted 39 times and Retweeted 10 times OC Sewers @OCSewers 57m57 minutes ago The #GWRS is celebrating its 10th anniversary and you’re invited to the party! Join the Orange County Sanitation District and @OCWDWaterNews for Winter Fest from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Fri, 2/16. https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/winter-fest/ … OC Sewers @OCSewers 3h3 hours ago "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 17 It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Fecal Indicator Bacteria https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/posts/10155266641977951 … Twitter Posts  January 2018    12 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 15 The Orange County Sanitation District honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this special day, we celebrate tolerance, equity and love. #MLK OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 15 "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 12 Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? OCSD has a Mentoring program which allows employees to learn valuable lessons all while helping them grow in their profession. Check it out. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ …/presidential-message-national…/ OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 12 Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. In this photo we have Plant 2 Maintenance Worker, Michael Childers, atop a system scaffold during Scaffolding Qualified Person Training held at Plant No.1 in Fountain Valley. 13 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 12 Let us count the ways…. The Orange County Sanitation District takes many steps to ensure that the wastewater that enters the plant is thoroughly cleaned in order to protect the environment. OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 11 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water What a huge accomplishment! So glad that we're a part of it! :) OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews The #GWRS has produced 242 billion gallons of water since coming online #gwrsanniversary OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 10 14 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water So glad to be partners with you guys on #GWRS! OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews The #GWRS is a partnership between OCWD and @ocsewers #gwrsanniversary Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Jan 10 The #GWRS is supported by health professionals, scientists, business leaders, law makers, educators, and the public #gwrsanniversary http://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/project-supporters … Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Jan 10 We’ll be sharing fun facts about the #GWRS all day to celebrate its 10th anniversary of coming online. #gwrsanniversary #waterwednesday OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 10 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water Can't believe that it's been 10 years! Check out this video featuring @OCWDWaterNews and #OCSD board members as they sit down and talk about the origins of #GWRS. OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews #OCWD board member Phillip L. Anthony and @OCSewers board member Jim Ferryman sat down to talk about the origins of the #GWRS https://youtu.be/T2S5B_SU5GE 15 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 10 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water Happy 10 years to the #GWRS! So glad that we've able to be a part of it! OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Happy birthday #GWRS! Can’t believe you’re 10 years old. Time flies when you’re having fun and creating a dependable water supply. #gwrsanniversary OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 8 "Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." - Jamie Paolinetti #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 4 Check out this fun video from our friends at Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 4 January 31 is coming up fast! Make sure you get your videos in before the deadline! Want to learn more? Visit https://www.ocsd.com/education/psa to learn more! 16 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 3 Want to know more about the work that we do? Come take a tour. You'll be glad that you did! http://www.ocsd.com/residents/tours #What2Flush OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 2 Happy New Year from the Orange County Sanitation District! We hope you had a wonderful day with family and friends. OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 2 "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck." -Dalai Lama #MotivationMonday 17 OC Sewers @OCSewers 30 Dec 2017 Just a reminder that our Administrative offices are closed Monday, January 1st in observance of the New Year holiday. OC Sewers @OCSewers 30 Dec 2017 Today's photo shows the construction of our Digesters in the early 1950's at our #HB Plant No. 2 facility. Just last month two of our Digesters were recently demolished. If you haven't seen the video of them being demolished make sure you check it out!#fbf #construction #digester OC Sewers @OCSewers 21 Dec 2017 Happy First Day of Winter!!! We are totally loving this cooler weather! 18 OC Sewers @OCSewers 21 Dec 2017 2017 Board Tour. Going beyond wastewater treatment and learning about the infrastructure and operations and maintenance to successfully run the third largest wastewater facility west of the Mississippi River. OC Sewers @OCSewers 20 Dec 2017 OC Sewers Retweeted Water Environment Federation This is so cute and clever @NEWWater_WI! Thanks for helping spread the word about what not to put down the drain! #What2Flush OC Sewers added, Water Environment Federation @WEForg "Yule" love this: Our friends at @NEWWater_WI are spreading holiday cheer-- and an important message-- in this song! https://youtu.be/HCb7XT5iEY0 19 OC Sewers @OCSewers 20 Dec 2017 This holiday season, OCSD employees donated roughly 350 toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. OCSD has been collecting toys and participating in the Spark of Love Toy Drive for several years now. Thank you to all of the employees who donated and gave money to this special cause. OC Sewers @OCSewers 20 Dec 2017 OCSD’s Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for tonight @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22209 … OC Sewers @OCSewers 20 Dec 2017 Today, OCSD’s Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for @ 6 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22223 … OC Sewers @OCSewers 18 Dec 2017 Thank you @RepLowenthal for inviting us to your Ribbon Cutting on Friday night. 20 CA Clean Water Pros @CWEAMembers 15 Dec 2017 CA Clean Water Pros Retweeted Eric L. Garner Pretty clear in #cawater we have to be ready for anything, and some agencies are well prepared for the swings. They planned ahead. "In Orange County we really benefited from the work and planning over the last 20 years," - Jim Herberg @OCSewers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFfxpRQ4Fm4 … CA Clean Water Pros added, Eric L. Garner @bbkericgarner #CAwater always has to be prepared: Is California heading back into a drought? http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/14/is-california-heading-back-into-a-drought/ … via @mercnews from @PaulRogersSJMN OC Sewers @OCSewers 18 Dec 2017 "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." -Confucius #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers 12 Dec 2017 It's amazing that we get to work and have a view like this every day! This photo was taken by one of our talented employees! #HuntingtonBeach #Plant2 OC Sewers @OCSewers 12 Dec 2017 OCSD’s Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22185 … 21 OC Sewers @OCSewers 11 Dec 2017 OC Sewers Retweeted Rick Warner Thanks @RickWarner13 for helping us spread the word about #GWRS water! It tastes like water, because it is water! OC Sewers added, Rick Warner @RickWarner13 https://youtu.be/_hjX21ipb7o My amaturer yet sincere #ThankYou #weftec17 to all the #water #resourcerecovery #professionals #GetOverIt @OCWDWaterNews … OC Sewers @OCSewers 11 Dec 2017 "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." -Thomas A. Edison #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers 8 Dec 2017 Hooray it's finally Friday! Check out this amazing aerial view of our Treatment Plant No. 2 facility located in Huntington Beach back in 1963. It sure has changed a lot since then! #flashbackfriday OC Sewers @OCSewers 8 Dec 2017 OCSD’s Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11 @ 12 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=21177 … 22 OC Sewers @OCSewers 6 Dec 2017 It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Metering and Diversion. https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/posts/10155177936342951 … OC Sewers @OCSewers 6 Dec 2017 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water This is so cool! #GWRS water made it all the way to Detroit! OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews GWRS water makes its way to #Detroit! Thanks WXYZ-TV Meteorologist @Denisewx for taking the #getoverit challenge. https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVMTK5niFa/?hl=en … @OCSewers OC Sewers @OCSewers 5 Dec 2017 OCSD’s Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=21163 … OC Sewers @OCSewers 4 Dec 2017 "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." -Scott Adams #MotivationMonday 23 OC Sewers @OCSewers 1 Dec 2017 Every Friday, we're sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. Here is Luc Tang of Plant 2 clearing a plugged polymer distribution line in a Dissolved Air Flotation Thickener (DAFT) center column. https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/posts/10155177905172951 … 24 Facebook Posts for December 2017 and January 2018 Posted 47 times Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · 35 mins · The #GWRS is celebrating its 10th anniversary and you’re invited to the party! Join the Orange County Sanitation District and #OCWD for Winter Fest from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Fri, 2/16. https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/winter-fest/ winterfest | OCWD Join OCWD and OCSD for a fun-filled winter experience as we attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most wastewater purified to drinking water standards in a 24-hour period. The FREE event will feature a snow slide, snow play area, food trucks, music, tours, and more! There will also be oppor... OCWD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · 5 hrs · "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 19 at 9:00am · Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. Facebook Posts  January 2018    25 In this photo, OCSD’s Welder/Fabricator, Fernando Paramo, is at our Plant 2 facility in Hungtington Beach, fixing a broken roller mount and welding in a new mount on one of the Belt Presses. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 17 at 9:00am · It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Fecal Indicator Bacteria OCSD tests sewage and recreational waters for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), which are bacteria that are associated with fecal contamination. This group of bacteria are called indicator bacteria because when present in high concentrations, they indicate the presence of potentially harmful pathogens including viruses (e.g. Hepatitis A and norovirus), bac... See More Orange County Sanitation District 26 Published by Kelly Newell · January 15 at 11:00am · The Orange County Sanitation District honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this special day, we celebrate tolerance, equity and love. #MLK Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 15 at 9:00am · "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 12 at 12:00pm · Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? OCSD has a Mentoring program which allows employees to learn valuable lessons all while helping them grow in their profession. Check it out. https://www.whitehouse.gov/…/presidential-message-national…/ Presidential Message on National Mentoring Month, 2018 | The White House In our youth, we must learn the behaviors and habits of successful adults − how to treat others, how to overcome failure, and how to give back to our communities, for… WHITEHOUSE.GOV Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 12 at 9:00am · Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. In this photo we have Plant 2 Maintenance Worker, Michael Childers, atop a system scaffold during Scaffolding Qualified Person Training held at Plant No.1 in Fountain Valley. 27 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 11 at 9:00am · Let us count the ways…. The Orange County Sanitation District takes many steps to ensure that the wastewater that enters the plant is thoroughly cleaned in order to protect the environment. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 10 at 3:04pm · Did you know that the #GWRS is supported by health professionals, scientists, business leaders, law makers, educators, and the public? Happy #gwrsanniversary http://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/project-supporters … Project supporters | OCWD 28 Similar wastewater reclamation projects were proposed in neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego counties in the 1990s, but never came to fruition because the issue got politicized and wrongly labeled "toilet to tap." The Orange County Water… OCWD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 10 at 10:00am · It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Membrane Filtration Technique OCSD's Microbiology lab analyzes water samples for indicator bacteria in three ways. One of the ways is the membrane filtration technique. The membrane filtration technique uses filters made of special paper with extremely small pores through which the water sample is filtered. These filters are then placed on bacteriological growth media that conta... See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 10 at 8:13am · Today is the 10th Anniversary of the GWRS!! Wow 10 Years!! To commemorate the 10th Anniversary, a video was created where Orange County Water District Board Member Phillip L. Anthony and Orange County Sanitation District Board Member Jim Ferryman both sat down to talk about the origins of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Check it out! ...See More GWRS 10th Anniversary Orange County Water District Board Member Phillip L. Anthony and Orange County Sanitation District Board Member Jim… YOUTUBE.COM 29 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 8 at 9:00am · "Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." - Jamie Paolinetti #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 5 at 12:00pm · Check out this fun video from our friends at Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. https://youtu.be/WSZvKtIBM5k Official music video: We treat the water (right) Music and lyrics by Christen Wood (Twitter: @sewer_chic),… YOUTUBE.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 5 at 9:00am · Happy #FlashbackFriday! It's pretty cool looking back at these photos to see where we started a little over 60 years ago. Today's picture is of the construction of our Headworks at our Plant No. 1 facility in Fountain Valley back in 1953. 30 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 4 at 9:00am · January 31 is coming up fast! Make sure you get your videos in before the deadline! Want to learn more? Visit https://www.ocsd.com/education/psa to learn more! PSA Contest - Calling all Film Makers | Orange County Sanitation District OCSD is hosting a video contest for the 2017/18 school year. The contest challenges students both in high schools and colleges located in our service area to be… OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 3 at 12:00pm · Want to know more about the work that we do? Come take a tour. You'll be glad that you did! http://www.ocsd.com/residents/tours Flush2What# Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 1 at 11:00am · "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck." -Dalai Lama #MotivationMonday 31 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 1 at 8:00am · Happy New Year from the Orange County Sanitation District! We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 29, 2017 at 12:00pm · Happy #FlashBackFriday! Today's photo shows the construction of our Digesters in the early 1950's at our Huntington Beach Treatment Plant No. 2 facility. Just last month two of our Digesters were recently demolished. If you haven't seen the video of them being demolished make sure you check it out! #ocsd #construction #digesters Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 29, 2017 at 9:00am · 32 Just a reminder that our Administrative offices are closed Monday, January 1st in observance of the New Year holiday. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Tanya Chong · December 27, 2017 at 9:00am · At OCSD, digesters are large circular tanks that hold and treat solids removed during the wastewater treatment process. Inside the digesters, solids are heated to approximately 98 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 days. Anaerobic bacteria consume organic material in the solids converting most of it into water, carbon dioxide and methane gas. Two 90-foot concrete digesters built in the early 1950’s at our Huntington Beach Facility, Treatment Plant No. 2, reached the end of their useful life and were recently demolished. Even though it’s sad to see them go, watching the demo is pretty cool. Don’t you agree?https://youtu.be/d8nvOO9QXcg Plant No. 2 Digester Demo YOUTUBE.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 25, 2017 at 11:00am · "Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." -Stephen Hawking #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 25, 2017 at 9:00am · Merry Christmas from the Orange County Sanitation District! Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends! 33 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 22, 2017 · Happy #Flashbackfriday! Here's a photo from the early 2000's of OCSD's Medical Response team winning an award from the American Red Cross. Did you know that OCSD has their own Medical Response Team? Our team members respond to medical emergencies at the plants where they work. They are the ones who assess the patient before the Emergency Responders arrive to take over. OCSD thanks all of the employees who are part of our Medical Response Team. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 22, 2017 · Just a reminder that our Administrative Offices are closed Monday December 25th and December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday. 34 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 21, 2017 · I love photos that tell an interesting story. Today we have a picture showing the construction of the new Joint Outfall Sewer in 1938. It took three years to complete. #throwbackthursday #history #ocsd Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 21, 2017 · Happy First Day of Winter!!! We are totally loving this cooler weather! 35 Orange County Sanitation District added 2 new photos. Published by Tanya Chong · December 20, 2017 · 2017 Board Tour. Going beyond wastewater treatment and learning about the infrastructure and operations and maintenance to successfully run the third largest wastewater facility west of the Mississippi River. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 20, 2017 · This holiday season, OCSD employees donated roughly 350 toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. OCSD has been collecting toys and participating in the Spark of Love Toy Drive for several years now. This annual event sponsored by ABC7 and Southern California Firefighters, benefits under served children and teens in Southern California. Thank you to all of the employees who donated and gave money to this special cause. 36 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 19, 2017 · Tomorrow, OCSD’s Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for @ 6 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22223 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 19, 2017 · OCSD’s Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22209 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 18, 2017 · "The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." -Confucius #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · December 15, 2017 · Thank you Congressman Lowenthal for inviting us to your Ribbon Cutting this evening. 37 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 15, 2017 · Happy #flashbackfriday! Here's a photo of what our auto fleet looked like back in 1955. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 12, 2017 · It's amazing that we get to work and have a view like this every day! This photo was taken by one of our talented employees! #HuntingtonBeach#Plant2 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 11, 2017 · OCSD’s Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=22185 Orange County Sanitation District 38 Published by Kelly Newell · December 11, 2017 · "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas A. Edison #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District added 3 new photos. Published by Tanya Chong · December 8, 2017 · The pipe bursting construction method was used today on the Newport Blvd. District 6 Sewer Project. The existing 15-inch pipe was expanded with a hydraulic bursting head tool and a 20-inch High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe was pulled through, replacing the old pipe with a new and larger diameter pipe. Approximately 270 feet of pipe was replaced today using this method at the rate of approximately 1 foot every 30 seconds at a depth of approximately 25 feet. This method is used to reduce the need for excavating the entire 270 feet length. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 8, 2017 · Hooray it's finally Friday! Check out this amazing aerial view of our Treatment Plant No. 2 facility located in Huntington Beach back in 1963. It sure has changed a lot since then! #flashbackfriday 39 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 8, 2017 · OCSD’s Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 11 @ 12 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=21177 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 6, 2017 · It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Metering and Diversion Metering and Diversion (M&D) is where the wastewater influent comes into OCSD’s plant in Fountain Valley and is metered. OCSD has 6 trunk lines with a seventh line being our interplant diversion line. If too much water comes into the plant (thanks to a heavy rainstorm, for example) , the water can be diverted to Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach. ...See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Tanya Chong · December 4, 2017 · Extended construction work hours are currently taking place, Monday December 4, for pipe bursting activity along Newport Blvd. just south of Hospital Road in the City of Newport Beach. Sound blankets are installed around the air compressor area to reduce the noise level. We apologize in advance for this inconvenience and assure you, we are working diligently to get this issue resolved. If you have any questions, please contact our Control Center at 714-593-7025. Thank you for your patience. 40 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 4, 2017 · OCSD’s Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=21163 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 4, 2017 · "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." -Scott Adams #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Tanya Chong · December 1, 2017 · Update 12-2-17: Construction work will continue Sunday 8am-6pm. Extended work hours required for pipe bursting operation in Newport Beach. Pipe bursting activities began this morning, to replace a 15-in pipe with a 22-inch pipe along Newport Blvd. just south of Hospital Road in the City of Newport Beach. Unexpected soil conditions have limited the production rate significantly which are requiring the operation to continue until the pending segment of pipe is installed. At ... See More 41 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · December 1, 2017 · Every Friday, we're sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. Here is Luc Tang of Plant 2 clearing a plugged polymer distribution line in a Dissolved Air Flotation Thickener (DAFT) center column. A DAFT is a big, open topped tank that pulls thickened sludge from the bottom and skims lighter sludge from the top. The middle of the tank produces a little cleaner water which further moves through the reclamation process. According to Senior M... See More ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT Agenda Terminology Glossary Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 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 CIP Capital Improvement Program CRWQCB California Regional Water Quality Control Board CWA Clean Water Act CWEA California Water Environment Association EIR Environmental Impact Report EMT Executive Management Team EPA US Environmental Protection Agency FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease gpd gallons per day GWRS Groundwater Replenishment System ICS Incident Command System IERP Integrated Emergency Response Plan LOS Level Of Service MGD Million Gallons Per Day NACWA National Association of Clean Water Agencies NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NWRI National Water Research Institute O & M Operations & Maintenance OCCOG Orange County Council of Governments OCHCA Orange County Health Care Agency OCSD Orange County Sanitation District OCWD Orange County Water District OOBS Ocean Outfall Booster Station OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PCSA Professional Consultant/Construction Services Agreement PDSA Professional Design Services Agreement POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works ppm parts per million PSA Professional Services Agreement RFP Request For Proposal RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations SARFPA Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency SARI Santa Ana River Interceptor SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board SAWPA Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority SCADA Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition SCAP Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District SOCWA South Orange County Wastewater Authority SRF Clean Water State Revolving Fund SSMP Sewer System Management Plan SSO Sanitary Sewer Overflow SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board TDS Total Dissolved Solids TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load TSS Total Suspended Solids WDR Waste Discharge Requirements WEF Water Environment Federation WERF Water Environment & Reuse Foundation WIFIA Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act WIIN Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act WRDA Water Resources Development Act 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. Benthos – The community of organisms, such as sea stars, worms, and shrimp, which live on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone. 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. Biogas – A gas that is produced by the action of anaerobic bacteria on organic waste matter in a digester tank that can be used as a fuel. 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 farmland or further processed as an earth-like product for commercial and home gardens to improve and maintain fertile soil and stimulate plant growth. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 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. Dilution to Threshold (D/T) – The dilution at which the majority of people detect the odor becomes the D/T for that air sample. Greenhouse Gases (GHG) – 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”). Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) – 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 provides 70 million gallons per day of drinking quality water to replenish the local groundwater supply. Levels Of Service (LOS) – Goals to support environmental and public expectations for performance. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) – A N-nitrosamine 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 and Water Environment Federation, with advisory support from the US Environmental Protection Agency. NBP is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and promote public participation to enhance the credibility of local agency biosolids programs and improved communications that lead to public acceptance. Plume – A visible or measurable concentration of discharge from a stationary source or fixed facility. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) – A municipal wastewater treatment plant. Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI) Line – A regional brine line designed to convey 30 million gallons per day 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 runoff. 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. 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 runoff – 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. The Orange County Sanitation District’s service area is in the Santa Ana River Watershed.