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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-2018 Legislative Committee Meeting Agenda03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 1 of 2 Orange County Sanitation District Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Monday, March 12, 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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 February 5, 2018. NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) 3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) 4. GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM 10TH ANNIVERSARY RECAP (Rebecca Long) 03/12/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 2 of 2 OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 9, 2018 at 3:30 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 02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, February 5, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Sebourn on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Chair Sebourn 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 Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large John Withers, Member-At-Large STAFF PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources 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 Cory Coogan Daisy Covarrubias Rebecca Long Kelly Newell Tyler Ramirez OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Eric O’Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs David French, 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 02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board) MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on December 11, 2017. AYES: Bernstein, Kim, Sebourn, Shawver, and Wagner NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Wanke and Withers NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Rebecca Long, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, indicated that the 2018 Legislative Priorities Key Message Card was distributed to the Committee. Ms. Long indicated that Assemblymember Daly would be sponsoring OCSD’s legislation pertaining to bid advertising requirements and that Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) would provide more information about this item later in the meeting. Ms. Long also indicated that lobby days are being scheduled and that David French, ENS Resources, would provide additional information in his report. Lastly, Ms. Long indicated that Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act (WIIN) funding information should be available in the next several months. Ms. Long introduced David French, ENS Resources, who reported that lobby days meetings are being scheduled in Washington, DC for April 19 and the morning of April 20. Mr. French provided an overview of current activity pertaining to the Federal budget and indicated that legislation pertaining to water was recently introduced including S.2364, Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now Act or SRF WIN Act (Boozman). Mr. French briefly highlighted a few key components of S.2364. Mr. French provided information on the Federal administration’s infrastructure principles and goals. Mr. French also provided an update on the Waters of the US Rule (WOTUS) and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) development. Ms. Long indicated that staff anticipates the support of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles and the California Association of Sanitation Agencies for AB 2003 (Daly), legislation pertaining to bid advertising requirements. Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), provided an informative PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the key dates of the 2018 legislative session and composition of the legislature due to recent changes, an overview of the Governor’s 02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 January budget including components specific to water, a breakdown of the funding of the Cap and Trade expenditure plan and details of funding of interest to OCSD, an update on OCSD’s request made to Assemblymember Quirk-Silva for a direct expenditure through cap and trade for the installation and operation of a food waste co-digestion facility at Plant No. 2, and information pertaining to AB 2003 (Daly) which was introduced on February 1 and is legislation to modify the bid advertising requirement. The language for AB 2003 remains as previously seen by the Committee, that bid advertising requirements are to be published in a manner that the OCSD Board determines to be reasonable, which may include, but is not limited to, newspapers, Internet Web site, radio, television or other means of mass communications. The co-author is Senator Wilk. The introduced legislation will now sit for 30 days until heard in its first policy committee. During this time, TPA will be working with the author and co-author on next steps and to secure support for this legislation. 3. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor, introduced Cory Coogan who is a new intern from Long Beach State and will be providing support for graphics work in the Public Affairs Office. Ms. Cabral provided an overview of recent Public Affairs activities and reported on a couple of media tours recently given and a meeting recently held with Bloomberg for an article being developed regarding fuel cells. Ms. Cabral provided information on the upcoming Winter Fest event being held on February 16 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Groundwater Replenishment System and the Guinness World Record attempt for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. Ms. Cabral indicated that OCSD received 22 entries to the recent Public Service Announcement contest and gave an overview of next steps. Ms. Cabral indicated that the Honor Walk nomination period will begin this month and briefly described the Honor Walk program. Ms. Cabral reviewed the steps being taken for the upcoming rehabilitation of the western regional sewer project that will impact six member agencies. Ms. Cabral indicated that staff is working closely with the Orange County Transportation Authority regarding the upcoming I-405 improvement project. Ms. Cabral indicated that the Prop. 218 notices regarding rates will be mailed on February 9 and the OCSD website will be updated to include the information being mailed. Meetings pertaining to this topic are scheduled with Orange County Tax, Orange County Building Industry Association, and the Orange County Business Council. The public hearing for the adoption of the rates will be held at the Board of Directors meeting on March 28. Vice-Chair Shawver requested that the website include information as to the cost of the services OCSD provides broken into a daily expense. Ms. Cabral reviewed some of the information included on the notice and responded to Chair Sebourn’s request to include information on the website regarding urban run-off. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: None. 02/05/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Sebourn declared the meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, March 12, 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 03/12/18 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. At this meeting, staff will provide updates on recent legislative and grant activities including SB 831 – Land use: accessory dwelling units, AB 2003 – Sanitation Districts: Public Contracting Code, grant administration, and the recent trip to Sacramento. 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. Page 2 of 2 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 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 N/A 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 | P a g e ENS Resources, Inc. 1101 Fourteenth Street, N.W. Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone 202.466.3755/Telefax 202.466.3787 M E M O R A N D U M TO: Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: February 20, 2018 SUBJECT: Washington Update Over the past month, Congress reached an agreement on a two-year budget and increased the debt ceiling until later this year. In reaching agreements, impediments to finalizing the FY 2018 budget and working toward an FY 2019 budget were removed in what could have been an ongoing year of uncertainty over funding governmental programs. In addition, the President transmitted his first comprehensive budget request for Congress to consider for FY 2019 spending priorities. And last, the White House formally released its proposed infrastructure assistance proposal that it hopes Congress will rely upon to develop a national legislative response. The following summarize issues of interest to OCSD. Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 Appropriations Budget Caps Finalized Avoiding Shutdown Potential Congress, after avoiding a second shutdown of the government, reached an agreement with the Administration to increase overall spending caps that provided defense and domestic programs with spending levels that could meet the needs of programs. Under the agreement, domestic spending would be allowed to grow by approximately $63 billion in each of FY 2018 and 2019. 2 | P a g e The net impact of the decision to raise the spending caps means that sequestration will not be triggered, thereby avoiding across-the-board spending cuts and programs, like the SRF, WIFIA and water recycling assistance can be expected to continue to be funded in FY 2019 at least at a current level of $2.3 billion, $20 – $30 million, and approximately $50 million respectively. White House FY 2019 Budget Request Seeks Substantial Reductions, But Unlikely to be Adopted The transmittal of the FY 2019 budget to Congress is notable for the significant budget spending reductions sought by the Administration that mirror those sought in the revised FY 2018 request. The budget was finalized prior to the spending agreement reached between Congress and the Administration that will substantially increase spending in the coming budget cycle. Indeed, after the budget was transmitted to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget issued a supplemental appendix noting that due to the spending agreement, the Administration intended to increase the SRF request by approximately $300 million. However, while this funding increase is a positive, it only results in reversing reductions in spending that were envisioned under the original budget request. Notwithstanding this decision, congressional spending committees appear ready to maintain strong support for the SRF and other water infrastructure programs that might lead to higher spending beyond current budgeted levels of $2.3 billion. White House Releases Infrastructure Plan The White House infrastructure principles governing its priorities for any national infrastructure legislation was released setting in motion the formal debate on how Congress might move forward on any initiative. The plan is notable for a reliance on public private partnerships and a focus on awarding federal assistance to projects that can demonstrate a reduced reliance upon federal assistance. Under the plan, projects that demonstrate the ability to secure nonfederal assistance through local revenues would be provided the opportunity to compete for up to 20% federal assistance for the project. A total of $100 billion would be sought to support the competitive grants assistance program. However, no single state could receive more than 10% of the total funding appropriated. Additionally, the source of funding is not identified other than a statement that savings from existing infrastructure programs would be sought to help pay for the new initiatives. Under the plan, the following elements are identified • Funding of projects would be under a competitive grants approach where not more than 20% of a project’s costs could be covered by a federal grant. Additionally, not more than 10% of total federal grants program funding could be allocated to any one state. It appears that various infrastructure projects would compete for funding that, for example, would require water projects to be compared to roads for receipt of federal assistance instead of a specific allocation and distribution individual infrastructure needs like water projects as is the case under existing assistance programs; 3 | P a g e ENS Resources, Inc. 1101 Fourteenth Street, N.W. Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone 202.466.3755/Telefax 202.466.3787 • Plan would further provide funding to support high risk, transformative projects with 50% federal assistance; • Clean Water SRF would be available to support, for the first time, privately owned POTWs which might reduce the available resources for POTWs • WIFIA would be expanded to address multiple needs beyond traditional water infrastructure needs including: o flood mitigation, navigation and water supply; o Brownfields cleanups and Superfund sites; o water system acquisitions and restructuring; and o assistance for reimbursement of costs prior to a loan awards. • Lead federal agency would be designated for project reviews eliminating multiple agency reviews that lead to project approval delays; • WIFIA administrative costs would be reduced by only requiring one rating agency opinion; • USEPA water permits would be extended to 15 years and automatically renew if no changes in standards; • Expedited permit review and approval process and regulatory requirements would be identical for public or privately owned “public purpose” wastewater treatment facilities (P3s); • A premium would be placed on public private partnerships and privatization through a series of policies including: o Unrestricted use of private activity bonds and the restoration of advanced fundings of such bonds; o Providing access to private entities to the SRF to allow for P3’s and privatization; o Removing requirements to recover public sector investments as a condition of any privatization; and o Creating a capital fund to extend loans to private investors to purchase federal facilities (such as water projects). 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 SRF, 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. In addition to the White House plan, a bipartisan group of Senators, including Senator Feinstein introduced a novel approach to fund SRFs. Under S. 2364, an annual appropriation would be made (assuming that the SRF was fully funded at not less than FY 2018 appropriations) to support highly leveraged assistance for traditional water infrastructure needs, including water recycling. 4 | P a g e In our work with the bill’s sponsors, we have been advised that California would benefit with increased leveraged authority to address the overwhelming needs of the state and its population, allowing for up to $7 billion in leveraged assistance over five years. Under the bill, a state SRF would be able to review projects listed on the “Intended Use Plan” and extend low interest Treasury rated, 35-year loans to fund construction. Of special note is a decision to allow 100% of a project’s costs to be funded, unlike the 49% WIFIA program limit. Finally, in an effort to boost the program’s value, there would not be any application fees associated with a loan application. A hearing into S. 2364 before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is expected within the next two months. A companion bill H.R. 4902 has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. The bill enjoys bipartisan support suggesting that the concept could become one of the key approaches to supplement water infrastructure financing approach of core programs like the SRF without jeopardizing funding of the SRF. 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 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 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS 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 S. 2364/ H.R. 4902 John Boozman (R-AR)/John Katko (R-NY) Senator Feinstein cosponsor of S. 2364 Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now Act” or the “SRF WIN Act” to amend WIFIA to allow for expanded funding of SRF program needs through 100% treasury backed loans Senate 1/30/2018 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Identical bill introduced in House 1/31/2018 and referred to Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Watch CASA and NACWA Support 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 Southern California Office ▪ 1401 Dove Street • Suite 330 • Newport Beach, CA 92660 • Phone (949) 399-9050 • Fax (949) 476-8215 State Capitol Office ▪ 925 L Street • Suite 1404 • Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 447-4086 • Fax (916) 444-0383 Federal Office ▪ 600 Pennsylvania SE • Suite 207 • Washington, DC 20003 • Phone (202) 546-8696 • Fax (202) 546-4555 Northern California Office ▪ 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza • Suite 204 • Oakland, CA 94612 • Phone (510) 835-9050 • Fax (510) 835-9030 To: Orange County Sanitation District From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Date: February 19, 2018 Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report State Political Update In the month of February, the Legislature has been focused on introducing bills before the deadline on February 16, 2018. The Legislature introduced approximately 2,300 bills before the deadline, adding to the approximately 550 bills that are still alive from last year. The Legislature will now shift their focus to passing bills out of their policy committees. Below is a list of upcoming dates in the Legislature: •March 22 – Spring Recess begins •April 2 – Legislature reconvenes The Legislature continues to be occupied with various allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. Assembly Member Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) has taken a voluntary leave of absence after being accused by former staffers of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. Garcia was at the forefront of the anti-sexual harassment movement in the Legislature prior to being accused. Garcia continues to deny the accusations and has stated that she intends to return to the Legislature at the conclusion of the investigation. Assembly Member Garcia was also the chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee prior to her voluntary leave of absence. She was replaced by Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) shortly after her announcement. Governor Brown’s State of the State Address On January 25, Governor Brown delivered his final State of the State Address. The Governor did not use the address to put forth significant new policies that he will be pursuing in 2018. Instead, the Governor’s speech focused on some of the recent accomplishments of the Legislature and Governor, with particular focus on the increase in economic growth and activity. The Governor used the remainder of the address to discuss a number of different topics, including: the environment and climate change, education, health and human services, and public safety. While discussing these topics, the Governor encouraged the Legislature to continue to plan for the future. During his comments about public safety, the Governor encouraged the Legislature to resist the urge to craft legislation in response to individual crimes or acts of violence, and instead take a more holistic look at the criminal justice system in California and how it can better serve inmates, as well as the public. In an effort to reconcile California with the federal government, throughout his speech, the Governor highlighted actions and achievements that have resulted from bi-partisan efforts, including thanking the President for providing federal relief after the wildfires and other natural disasters that have occurred over the past several months. 2 | P a g e February 2018 Report 2 The Governor also provided a strong defense for several of his key initiatives, including high- speed rail and the California WaterFix. The Governor noted that both projects face strong opposition, however both are needed if the state is going to look to ensure that it has the necessary infrastructure for the future. California WaterFix, the Governor’s plan to build twin tunnels to transport water south of the delta, has struggled in the last couple of months due to opposition from several major state water project contractors who would have to pay for the project. After failing to receive the support and financial backing he needed to officially start the project, the Governor’s office announced it would shift its focus to a phased-in approach and start with just one tunnel, drastically reducing the expected project cost. In an unexpected turn of events, the Metropolitan Water District announced that it was looking into the possibility of investing an additional $6 billion into the project in order to build the originally planned two tunnels option. This investment would make them the majority stakeholder in the WaterFix project. Metropolitan Water District has indicated that they are looking at the financial feasibility of the additional investment. The Governor also indicated that he would use his political influence and political capital to defend the Republican members that voted for the Cap and Trade extension in 2017, as well as to defeat any attempt to repeal the gas tax and transportation infrastructure legislation that was approved last year. Governor’s Cap and Trade Expenditure Plan Shortly after his State of the State Address, the Governor released his Cap and Trade expenditure plan for Fiscal Year 18-19. The plan calls for the investment of $1.25 billion in Cap and Trade auction revenues into a variety of programs that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Cap and Trade program has seen a significant increase in auction revenues as a result of legislation last year to extend the program to 2030. Below is a breakdown of how the Governor proposes using $1.25 billion in Cap and Trade revenues: •Air Toxic and Criteria Air Pollutants o $250 million – AB 617 Community Air Protection o $5 million – Technical assistance to community groups •Low Carbon Transportation o $175 million – Clean Vehicle Rebate Project o $160 million – Clean trucks, buses, and off-road freight equipment o $100 million – Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, school buses andtransportation equity projects o $25 million – Low carbon fuel production •Smart Climate Agriculture o $102 million – Agricultural diesel engine replacement and upgrades o $34 million – Energy efficiency o $5 million – Healthy soils o $4 million – Renewable energy •Healthy Forests o $160 million – Healthy and resilient forests o $25 million – Local fire response •Short-Lived Climate Pollutants o $99 million – Methane reduction o $20 million – Waste diversion 3 | P a g e February 2018 Report 3 • Integrated Climate Action: Mitigation and Resilience o $25 million – Transformative Climate Communities o $20 million – California Integrated Climate Investment Program o $6 million – Energy Corps • Climate and Clean Energy Research o $35 million – California Climate Change Technology and Solutions Initiative The funding proposed in the Governor’s Cap and Trade proposal for Methane reduction will go to the Department of Food and Agriculture for a Dairy Digester Research and Development Program and an Alternative Manure Management Program to reduce methane emissions. The proposal also sends money to CalRecycle for programs that fund infrastructure facilities that divert waste from landfills. Specific types of projects for this funding that are mentioned in the Governor’s proposal include composting, anaerobic digestion, and fiber, plastic, and glass recycling facilities. These funding priorities for waste diversion align with CalRecycle’s existing programs including the Organics Grant Program, the Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program, and the Recycled Fiber, Plastic, and Glass Grant Program. It is possible that this funding will be used to provide funding for the aforementioned grant programs, rather than create a new program to expend the funds. The final Cap and Trade expenditure plan will be subject to negotiation with the Legislature as part of the budget process. Last year, the Senate and Assembly differed on how they wanted to structure the expenditure plan, with the Senate favoring direct funding for projects and the Assembly wanting funding to go to a number of existing programs. This year, Senate Pro Tem-Elect Toni Atkins will be leading the budget negotiations for the Senate Democrats, so there may be a change in priorities for the Cap and Trade funding. In the next several months, the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees will hold hearings to discuss various pieces of the Governor’s Budget proposal, including the Cap and Trade expenditure plan. TPA will continue to track the rollout of the Cap and Trade expenditure plan and the funding it contains for the District’s priority projects. Long-Term Water Conservation Regulations Legislators were unsuccessful in 2017 at implementing the Governor’s 2016 executive order titled “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life”. Although several bills were introduced to address the issue of per capita water use, urban water management planning, and water efficiency regulations, they ultimately failed to pass due to disagreement between various stakeholder groups. When legislators returned from Interim Recess on January 3, they immediately set to work behind closed doors on the long-term water conservation regulations. On January 31, the Governor’s office convened a meeting with the author’s offices and key stakeholders to continue the conversation about the proposed regulations. The Governor’s office indicated that this is a top priority for them this year, and that they are committed to coming to a solution before the Governor leaves office. The latest round of compromise amendments to the current language are expected to be in print shortly. 4 | P a g e February 2018 Report 4 It is also possible that the policy contained in the long-term water conservation regulations, SB 606 (Skinner) and AB 1668 (Friedman), will be done through the Budget trailer bill process. This process can be quicker and easier to push through; however, it lacks transparency and traditional legislative policy hearings. The Governor’s office has indicated that they will consider including it as part of the Budget trailer bill package if the Legislature fails to pass long-term water conservation regulations. AB 2003 (Daly) - Public contracts: sanitation districts: notice Assembly Member Tom Daly introduced AB 2003 on February 1, 2018. AB 2003 is the Orange County Sanitation District’s sponsored bill in 2018 that makes updates to bid advertising requirements in the public contracting code. This bill will give sanitation districts greater flexibility with construction bid advertising and remove the requirement that they post construction bids in a print newspaper. AB 2003 will let each sanitation district determine which bid advertising platform is appropriate for their district. By doing so, AB 2003 will save the Orange County Sanitation District approximately $500,000 over 10 years. TPA will continue to work with Assembly Member Daly’s office to ensure the bill moves through the legislative process. AB 2003 has been referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee, however a hearing date has yet to be determined. OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN 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 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 AB 1933 Maienschein [R]Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: appropriations: recycling infrastructure projects. Would appropriate $200,000,000 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for organic waste recycling infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste recycling infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Introduced January 24, 2018. Waiting for referral to a Committee Watch State Priorities: Support funding through grants and legislation for a Food Waste/Organic Co- Digestion facility at OCSD. Proposed Legislation 2017-2018 High Priority OCSD State Bills of Interest AB 2003 Daly [D]Public contracts: sanitation districts: notice Current law authorizes a sanitation district to make and perform any agreement with a public or private corporation of any kind or a person for the joint construction, acquisition, disposition, or operation of any property or works of a kind that might be constructed, acquired, disposed of, or operated by the district. Current law requires a district, when an expenditure for work exceeds $35,000, to contract with the lowest responsible bidder after notice. Current law requires the notice to be published, as specified. This bill would instead require the notice to be published in a manner that the district board determines to be reasonable, which may include, but is not limited to, newspapers, Internet Web sites, radio, television, or other means of mass communication. Referred to the Assembly Local Government Committee Sponsor 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 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. 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. OCSD State Bills of Interest 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 assistanceAB 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 AB 2249 Cooley [D]Public contracts: local agencies: alternative procedure. Would authorize public projects of $60,000 or less to be performed by the employees of a public agency, authorize public projects of $200,000 or less to be let to contract by informal procedures, and require public projects of more than $200,000 to be let to contract by formal bidding procedures. These measures only apply to the public agency if their Board elects to participate in the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. Introduced February 13, 2018 Watch 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 Additional Legislation OCSD State Bills of Interest AB 2379 Bloom [D]Waste management: polyester microfiber. Would require that clothing made from fabric that is more than 50% polyester bear a conspicuous label stating that the garment sheds plastic microfibers when washed and recommending hand washing. The bill would prohibit a person, on and after January 1, 2020, from selling or offering for sale clothing made from fabric that is more than 50% polyester that does not bear that label. Introduced February 14, 2018 Watch State Priorities: Support legislation or regulations that restrict the use of microplastics in any product that is disposed of through the sewer system. 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 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. Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance OCSD State Bills of Interest SB 831 Wieckowski [D]Land use: accessory dwelling units. Current law authorizes a local agency, special district, or water corporation to require a new or separate utility connection between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility and authorizes a fee to be charged, except as specified. Current law requires a local agency to submit an ordinance adopted for the creation of accessory dwelling units to the Department of Housing and Community Development and authorizes the department to review and comment on the ordinance. This bill would delete the requirement that the area be zoned to allow single-family or multifamily use. Referred to the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and the Senate Governance and Finance Committee Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Oppose measures that shift existing local revenue sources back to the state, including the special district share of property tax, sales tax, vehicle license fees, and rate payer fees. SB 1215 Hertzberg [D]Drinking water systems and sewer systems: consolidation and extension of service. This bill would authorize the state board to set timeline and performance measures to facilitate completion of extension of service of drinking water. This bill would authorize the state board to order consolidation with a receiving sewer system for, or extension of sewer service to, a disadvantaged community under specified circumstances. The bill would require the state board to take certain actions before ordering consolidation or extension of service that are similar to those required for the consolidation or extension of water systems and would additionally require the state board to find that at least 75% of the households in the community potentially subject to extension or consolidation of service have agreed to receive sewage service from the receiving sewer system. Introduced February 15, 2018 Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Oppose legislation consolidating special districts that fail to address the concerns of cities affected by the proposed consolidation. 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 $1.25 billion from the Cap and Trade program (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) was proposed to be appropriated in the Governor's January Budget $20 million - Waste Diversion Projects. Specifics TBD TBD TBD TBD The Cap and Trade Expenditure Plan will need to go through the legislative process. It is uncertain how much funding will be available for the District's projets, or what the funding will be used for. TBD Unknown at this time Energy/Recycling 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 (Proposition 68) SB 5 (De Leon) included $290 million for Drought, Groundwater, and Water Recycling programs TBD TBD SB 5 passed the Legislature and will be on the ballot in June 2018 as Proposition 68 N/A If Proposition 68 is passed, TPA and OCSD will advocate for the inclusion of relevant funding in the final version of the Budget in June. 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 2/22/2018 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 2/22/2018 Page 1 of 3 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 03/12/18 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 including Prop. 218 outreach, Honor Walk, New Tour Guide Orientation, and the 2018 Children’s Water Festival. 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 February 2018 Activity # # of Guests OCSD/OCWD Tours 7 140 OCSD Tours 8 84 Speaking Events 3 ~310 Outreach Events 1 ~800 Proposition 218 Outreach Rate presentations have been provided to the City of Tustin City Council, OC Tax, and the Orange County Building Association. A presentation is also scheduled for March 20 with the Orange County Business Council. Honor Walk Applications Due Honor Walk nomination forms were distributed at the February Board Meeting. Nominations are due March 15. Board Members may nominate a previous Board Member who has not served on the Sanitation District Board for a minimum of one year. This year’s Honor Walk ceremony will be held on May 23. New Tour Guide Orientation Every few years, the Sanitation District hosts a new tour guide orientation. This provides an opportunity to recruit new tour guides and update the tour guide material and key message points. Last year, the Sanitation District hosted 170 tours reaching almost 3,000 guests. Children’s Water Education Festival The Sanitation District will participate in the 22nd annual Children's Water Education Festival March 28-29 with the What2Flush Recycling game. This is the largest educational festival of its kind in the United States. Over the years, more than 122,000 Orange County students have experienced the Festival and learned about water. Efforts Page 3 of 3 such as the Festival help the Sanitation District achieve our educational outreach target, reaching more than 6,000 people each year. 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 February 2018 • Media Clips February 2018 Date Time Organization/ Event Location Purpose Attendee 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 2/8/2018 1000 - 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Director Goodman to tour P1. Jim Herberg Tour Guide 2/9/2018 1300 - 1430 Plant Tour Plant 2 Plant 2 tour for neighbors. Paula Zeller Tour Guide 2/9/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tours Boardroom Coastkeepers Estancia HS Tours. 40 guests Eros Yong and Belen Carrillo Tour Guides 2/12/2018 800 - 1600 Speaking Engagement Riverside Convention Center CWEA P3S Conference. Jim Herberg Speaker 2/13/2018 1000 - 1100 Plant Tour Plant 1 JR Grease Wastehauler Tour. 3 guests Leyla Perez Tour Guide 2/15/2018 1300 - 1500 Plant Tour Boardroom Long Beach Unified School Tour 40 guests Leyla Perez and Ann Crafton Tour Guides 2/21/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Vanguard Nursing Tour. Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 2/22/2018 1130 - 1230 Plant Tour Control Center Operator Class Tour. Control Center Dickie Fernandez Tour Guide 2/23/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santiago HS Coastkeeper Tour. 25 guests Belen Carrillo Tour Guide 2/24/2018 900 - 1100 Plant Tour P1 SCC Wastewater Class Tour. 16 students - Walking Shabbir Basrai Tour Guide 2/26/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Oxford Academy Tour. 30 guests Sterling Harris Tour Guide 3/2/2018 1130 - 1230 Plant Tour Boardroom Vital Link Program to tour P1. 30 guests. Belen Carrillo 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 Cheryl Scott OCSD Outreach Report 2/22/2018 Contact Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott 2/22/2018 1:57:53 PM Date Time Organization/ Event Location Purpose Attendee OCSD Outreach Report 2/22/2018 Contact 3/2/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Univ. San Francisco Orange County tour. 25 guests Sharon Yin Tour Guide 3/3/2018 830 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santiago College Pumping Class to tour P1. 20 guests Dave Rodriguez Tour Guide 3/6/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tour Boardroom Godinez HS Chemistry Class tour. 48 guests 2 tours Brian Bingman & Belen Tour Guides 3/7/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 3/8/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tour Boardroom Godinez HS Chemistry Class tour. 48 guests 2 tours Leyla Perez and Brian Bingman Tour Guides 3/9/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom HBHS Tour. Approx. 25 guests Brian Bingman Tour Guide 3/13/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Godinez HS Tour. 23 guests Cindy Murra Tour Guide 3/14/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Room C CSUF Nursing Tour. 26 guests Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 3/14/2018 900 - 1300 Outreach Event OC Fairgrounds Orange County Science and Engineering Fair Various OCSD Employee Volunteers 3/15/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour A & B CSUF Nursing Tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide 3/16/2018 900 - 2230 Plant Tour Rooms A & B HBHS Tour. Approx. 25 guests Randy Kleinman Tour Guide 3/16/2018 3:30 - 6:30 Outreach Event OCWD Winter Fest Various OCSD Employee Volunteers 2/21/2018 800 - 1600 Speaking Engagement City of Tustin Rates Lorenzo Tyner Speaker 2/22/2018 800 - 1600 Speaking Engagement OC Tax Rates Jim Herberg Speaker Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott 2/22/2018 1:57:53 PM Date Time Organization/ Event Location Purpose Attendee OCSD Outreach Report 2/22/2018 Contact 3/21/2018 900 - 1200 Plant Tour Boardroom Beckman High School Tours. 50 guests 2 tours Deirdre Bingman and Sterling Harris Tour Guides 3/22/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Room C Estancia HS Special Ed Tour - 16 guests Belen Carrillo Tour Guide 3/24/2018 900 - 1500 Westminster Spring Festival Westminster Civic Center OCSD To host information booth at the festival. Various OCSD Employee Volunteers 3/26/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom OC Env. Health to tour P1. 20 guests. Gina Tetsch Tour guide 3/27/2018 900 - 1300 Outreach Event Irvine Children's Water Festival Various OCSD Employee Volunteers 3/28/2018 900 - 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom New Employee/Open to the Public Tour Ann Crafton Tour Guide 3/30/2018 1000 - 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Valencia Heights Water Dist. Tour. 10 guests Bob Ghirelli Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott Cheryl Scott 2/22/2018 1:57:53 PM OCSD Public Affairs Office Monthly News Clippings February 2018 Table of Contents GWRS…………………………………………… ................................ PAGE 1 February 8, 2018 OC Agencies to attempt world Record Crossroads Today News February 14, 2018 Record Breaking Water Recycling By: Laura Sanchez Forester Daily News February 18, 2018 From Waste To Taste By: Greg Mellen Orange County Register February 19, 2018 Orange County Water and Sanitation Districts Set Guinness World Record for Recycled Wastewater By: Hilary Crisan Waste Today February 20, 2018 California Aims To Get Past the Yuck Factor of Recycled Wastewater By: Nathan Rott National Public Radio TWITTER POSTINGS …………………………………………… ............. PAGE 11 FACEBOOK POSTINGS ……………………………………………………PAGE 23 1 CROSSROADS TODAY NEWS CENTER ABC 25 OC Agencies to Attempt World Record for Most Wastewater Recycled to Drinking Water In 24 Hours Posted: Feb 08, 2018 12:45 AM PST Thursday Feb. 16 Free Community Event to Mark 10th Anniversary of Internationally Famous Groundwater Replenishment System and Potential Guinness World RecordsTM FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA, February 08, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- To commemorate 10 years of breakthrough technology to enhance the reliability of local water supplies, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) today announced they will attempt to set a Guinness World RecordsTM title for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. The two districts, collaborators in the world's largest water purification facility of its kind--the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), will also host a free community event on Feb. 16 to celebrate the project's anniversary and the official record attempt. "For one 24-hour period, we hope the world's focus will be on the future of water, the accomplishments of advanced water purification, and the potential for global water reliability," said OCWD President Denis Bilodeau. "I'm proud that our agencies had the vision to implement this local solution more than a decade ago that has helped us better weather drought, increase local water reliability and stands as a model for world-wide use." "We invite the Orange County community to have some fun, to help us celebrate our 10-year anniversary of the GWRS and to be part of history," said OCSD Chairman and GWRS Steering Committee Vice-Chair Greg Sebourn. "The world record will highlight a very sustainable practice producing safe drinking water that ensures long-term reliability of local supplies." The start of the world record - to produce the most wastewater recycled to drinking water - begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. After the 24-hour period ends on Friday, Feb. 16, officials will tabulate and verify the results. The official record announcement will come during the community "Winter Fest" that will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the GWRS facility, 18700 Ward Street, Fountain Valley, Calif. Tours of the world-famous GWRS will be offered on Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Space is limited and all participants must be age 11 or older. The tour involves long periods of walking, standing and climbing stairs, and lasts 30-40 minutes. Registration is required. Click here to register for a tour. The event will include snow slides and a snow play area, food trucks, music and prizes. Attendees will also receive commemorative bottles of purified recycled water. Since last summer, OCWD and OCSD have been CrossRoads Today  February 8, 2018  2 handing out thousands of these bottles as part of a statewide education effort to demonstrate the advancements of purifying recycled water. Currently, regulations limit the use of advanced purified water to replenish groundwater basins even though the GWRS facility creates water that exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. California law AB 2022, adopted in 2016, seeks to expand the public's awareness of water treatment advancements by allowing agencies to bottle highly purified recycled water to be distributed for free as an educational tool. The water is so pure, it is near-distilled in quality. The awareness effort is occurring as the state marches toward direct potable reuse of such water. The GWRS currently produces 100 million gallons a day of highly purified recycled water to inject back into the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, and to prevent seawater intrusion. Work will soon be under way to expand the capacity of the GWRS to produce 130 million gallons a day of purified recycled water-- enough for 1 million people. For more information about the GWRS and the event, visit www.ocwd.com/gwrs. About the Orange County Water District The District is committed to enhancing Orange County's groundwater quality and reliability in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. The following cities rely on the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, to provide approximately 75 percent of their water supply: Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda. For more information about the Orange County Water District and its board of directors, call (714) 378- 3200 or visit www.ocwd.com. About the Orange County Sanitation District OCSD is a public agency that provides wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling for approximately 2.6 million people in central and northwest Orange County. OCSD is a special district that is governed by a 25- member Board of Directors comprised of 20 cities, four special districts, and one representative from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. OCSD has two operating facilities that treat wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial sources. For more information, about the Orange County Sanitation District visit www.ocsd.com or call (714) 962-2411. Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. Frankly and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and have questions or removal requests please contact pressreleases@franklyinc.com 3 Record-Breaking Water Recycling Laura Sanchez • February 14, 2018 Guinness World Records exist for a number of outrageous feats. There’s the largest gathering of Elvis impersonators, the farthest tightrope walk in high heels, and the biggest gum bubble ever blown. But this week, there may be a new record set for a highly practical accomplishment: the most wastewater recycled to drinking water within a 24-hour period. The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), collaborators in Southern California’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), will attempt to set a new recycling record. The challenge is an effort to commemorate 10 years of the GWRS’s water reuse technology and to bring awareness to the additional water security it offers. “For one 24-hour period, we hope the world’s focus will be on the future of water, the accomplishments of advanced water purification, and the potential for global water reliability, ” OCWD President Denis Bilodeau said in a press release. “I’ m proud that our agencies had the vision to implement this local solution more than a decade ago that has helped us better weather drought, increase local water reliability, and stands as a model for world- wide use.” The GWRS system takes treated wastewater that would have previously been discharged into the Pacific Ocean and purifies it using a three-step advanced treatment process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. Forester Daily News  February 14, 2018  4 The process produces 100 million gallons of high-quality water per day that meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. The facility hopes to set the precedent, through normal operation, for the amount of recycled water produced. “In attempting this world record, we don’t operate our facility any differently from every day. It is our mission to provide as much safe, quality water as we can at the most efficient cost for the citizens in our service area,” said OCWD Director of Water Production Mehul Patel. Maintenance and other testing projects have been postponed to ensure that the GWRS is in optimal condition to produce the most water possible. “There are 63 people in the water production department and they all have a hand in the successful operation of the plant,” said OCWD General Manager Mike Markus. “We also work closely with our project partners at OCSD to ensure optimal flow rates. Although we have definitely discussed the plan to meet or exceed our water production capacity for the 24-hour attempt, I would say our team is always going above and beyond to produce the most amount of water possible to provide a high-quality, reliable water supply to the 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County that OCWD serves.” The official 24-hour period begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, and ends on Friday, Feb. 16, after which officials will tabulate and verify the results. Work is under way to expand the facility’s capacity to 130 million gallons. And in the coming years, it promises to forge new records as a leader in recycled water production. 5 From waste to taste: Orange County sets Guinness record for recycled water By Greg Mellen | gmellen@scng.com | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: February 18, 2018 at 8:03 pm | UPDATED: February 19, 2018 at 4:41 pm The motto for the bottled drinking water reclaimed from wastewater by the Orange County Water and Sanitation districts reads “Tastes like water because it is water.” A slightly more blunt message reads “Get over it.” The Orange County Sanitation and Water Districts are working hard to get rid of reclaimed water’s perception problem, “the yuck factor,” as Denis Bilodeau, president of the water district calls it, of converting wastewater to a liquid that exceeds government standards for purity. For a decade, the Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System, has been pumping reclaimed water into the ground basin. Over the weekend, to celebrate the groundwater system’s 10th anniversary, the districts partnered on a world record-setting endeavor. In 24 hours, more than 100 million gallons of wastewater was converted into potable – or suitable for drinking – water and pumped it into the country ground basin. On Friday afternoon, officials stopped the 24-hour clock and looked at the numbers. A counter read 100,008,000 gallons of drinkable recycled water produced. Orange County Register  February 18, 2018  6 That set the world record as judged by Guinness, which sent an adjudicator from New York to witness the event. This is nothing new for the districts. They have been producing similar totals daily for years. The number sets the benchmark for others to chase. The replenishment system aims to grow eventually to a capacity of 130 million gallons daily. The water, previously pumped into the ocean, not only helps to sustain the county groundwater basin, but creates a barrier to prevent seawater intrusion into the water supply. It also greatly reduces the county’s need for more expensive imported water and uses less energy than imported or desalinated, according to the water district. Greg Sebourn, chairman of the board for the Orange County Sanitation District, says though it may seem unrealistic today, he would like to see a time when Orange County is entirely self-sufficient in its water supply. The world record attempt was staged as drought conditions are returning to California and underscores the importance of being able to capture, treat and recycle local wastewater and replenish a groundwater basin serving 19 municipal water districts and more than 2.5 million people, according to officials. The Groundwater Replenishment System, operated jointly by water and sanitation district, is the world’s largest facility to take treated wastewater and purify it to a level that exceeds state and national drinking water standards. After going through the recycling process, the water is so pure, it is near-distilled in quality and actually has minerals added back for taste. “We can do a better job than Mother Nature,” Bilodeau said. Recycling wastewater is nothing new. The water department in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, has recycled wastewater since 1968, but no groundwater systems are of the scale of Orange County’s. “I’m proud that our agencies had the vision to implement this local solution more than a decade ago that has helped us better weather drought, increase local water reliability and stands as a model for world-wide use,” Bilodeau said. 7 Orange County water and sanitation districts set Guinness World Record for recycled wastewater The districts succeeded in recycling the most wastewater into drinking water in 24 hours. February 19, 2018 Edited by Hilary Crisan Conversion Technologies Municipal Recycling The Orange County Water District (OCWD), Fountain Valley, California, and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), Fountain Valley, California, has succeeded in the attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. The title was achieved by the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). This achievement commemorates the 10th anniversary of the facility, a collaboration between the two districts. Waste Today  February 19, 2018    8 "Recycling wastewater is critical to protecting and effectively managing our local water supplies at a time when we are facing extreme weather and droughts," OCWD President Denis Bilodeau says. "We hope this achievement will raise awareness and better understanding of the importance of facilities like the GRWS, because the potential of water recycling in California and around the world is tremendous." The Guinness World Records title attempt to produce the most wastewater recycled into drinking water in 24 hours started at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. The successful completion of the attempt was announced Friday, Feb. 16, during the Winter Fest, a public event that was held at the GWRS facility. The celebration included a community toast with recycled water from the facility. "This was an incredible attempt that impacted the local community and environment. It provided perspective on the process of making water safe for consumption," Philip Robertson, official Guinness World Records adjudicator, says. "We congratulate the efforts of Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District and welcome them into the Guinness World Records family." Currently, regulations limit the use of advanced purified water to replenish groundwater basins even though the GWRS facility creates water that exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. California law Assembly Bill (AB) 2022, adopted in 2016, seeks to expand the public's awareness of water treatment advancements by allowing agencies such as OCWD to bottle highly purified recycled water to be handed out for free as an educational tool. The awareness effort is occurring as the state looks at direct potable reuse of this water. The GWRS currently produces 100 million gallons a day of highly purified recycled water to inject into the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, to increase local drinking water supplies and to prevent seawater intrusion. Work will soon be under way to expand its capacity to produce 130 million gallons a day of purified recycled water—enough for 1 million people. "For more than a century, California has relied on rivers like the Colorado and Sacramento for our water. Today, we demonstrated we have new rivers to utilize," Bill Patzert, a climate scientist who emceed the celebration program, says. "It makes perfect sense to use the technology we have today to use the water we have right in our backyard and recycle it for drinking water." 9 National Public Radio https://www.npr.org/2018/02/20/587195891/california-aims-to-get-past-the-yuck-factor-of-recycled- wastewater California Aims To Get Past The Yuck Factor Of Recycled Wastewater February 20, 20185:01 AM ET   Heard on Morning Edition   Nathan Rott With the potential of another drought looming, California is looking at recycled wastewater as a source for drinking. Recycled water is California's single largest source of new water supplies. DAVID GREENE, HOST: So this has been one dry winter for many of you living in the Western United States. So dry, in fact, that some are worried about a prolonged drought. Today California's water board is considering not just bringing back water restrictions, but making them permanent. Meanwhile, water agencies are looking for new sources of water, and NPR's Nathan Rott tells us about one big potential source. If, that is, people are willing to accept it. NATHAN ROTT, BYLINE: The industry-preferred term for the water source is potable reuse. In plain speak, it means recycling our wastewater for drinking. So, yeah, it's a bit of a hard sell. That's why the Orange County Water District in Southern California is doing what even they say is a bit of a publicity stunt. UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Ten, nine, eight... ROTT: They're trying to set a world record for the most recycled wastewater in 24 hours, a record that nobody else has attempted to set. UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: ...Two, one. (Clapping). ROTT: Mike Markus is the general manager of the Orange County Water District, owner of this facility. MIKE MARKUS: Which is the world's largest potable reuse project. ROTT: It takes treated water originally collected from gutters and sidewalks, showers and sinks, and it puts it through a purifying process. MARKUS: By the time it's gone through that three-step process, we basically have distilled water. National Public Radio  February 20, 2018    10 ROTT: Enough for 850,000 people a year. MARKUS: We can't rely on Mother Nature to fill up our groundwater basin, and that's why we've turned to recycled water. What it's done is it's given us water supply reliability for the region. TIMOTHY QUINN: Recycled water is and will remain California's single largest source of new water supplies as we move forward in the 21st century. ROTT: Timothy Quinn heads the Association of California Water Agencies, and he says more and more agencies are looking towards potable reuse as a water source, drawn by that reliability. QUINN: This is a central strategy to drought-proofing modern urban economies. ROTT: But the agencies need public buy-in, and in the past, getting it has been messy. Earlier wastewater recycling projects have been sunk, torpedoed, some of the water agencies say, by the use of a single phrase. QUINN: I'm not going to use any of the offensive phrases from the past, but... ROTT: The phrase is toilet to tap. And, you've got to admit, it's kind of catchy. Quinn and Markus, though, are quick to point out that it's not entirely accurate. The water is coming from many places, and it exceeds every single health standard by the time it would reach somebody's home. The Orange County Water District is using the hashtag #GetOverIt. And, if you ask Quinn or Markus, they'd both tell you that they think people are over it, that they're willing to embrace the technology as a main water source. So we decided to ask, at a grocery store in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo neighborhood. AYAKO ZABALAGA: It's pretty gross. ROTT: This is Ayako Zagalaba. ZABALAGA: I would feel like before I drink it, I'd want to really know how they purify and stuff. ROTT: Nathan Smith, who's standing outside, is less apprehensive. NATHAN SMITH: If it meets code and it meets all the health standards, fine. It's done. And if they've already been doing it, clearly people haven't had a problem with it. So by all means, continue the work. ROTT: California's legislature agrees. It's moving towards allowing direct consumption of recycled wastewater in the coming years. Nathan Rott, NPR News. 11 Twitter Posts for January and February 2018 Tweeted 30 times and Retweeted 8 times OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 22 Thanks Orange County Register for the recent article on our Guinness World Records for the most recycled wastewater in a 24 hour period. #GWRS #OCWD https://www.ocregister.com/ …/from-waste-to-taste-orange-co…/ OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 21 Our @GWR for the most recycled wastewater in a 24 hour period was mentioned in the Daily Pilot. Check out the article! @OCWDWaterNews #GWRS http://www.latimes.com/ …/tn-dpt-me-around-town-20180216-sto… TrojanUV @trojanuv Feb 20 TrojanUV's Adam Festger & National Water Research Institute's Gina Melin Vartanian toast @OCWDWaterNews success in setting a Guinness World Record for the Most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24hrs! https://www.ocregister.com/2018/02/18/from-waste-to-taste-orange-county-sets-guinness-record-for-recycled-water/ … Twitter Posts  January and February 2018    12 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 18 Just a reminder that OCSD's Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of President's Day. We hope that you have a safe and wonderful holiday. WateReuse @WateReuseAssoci Feb 16 Congratulations to @OCWDWaterNews and @OCSewers on setting a new Guinness World Record! 100 million gallons of wastewater recycled to drinking water in a 24-hour period. @GWR Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Feb 16 We did it! the The #GWRS is now a @GWR holder. @OCSewers http://ow.ly/dLkq30ispqL Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Feb 16 83 million gallons and still four hours to go. @OCSewers @GWR #gwrs #ocwd #ocsewers #worldrecord 13 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 We are on our way to setting a world record! Check out this video from NBC LA this morning: OC Aims to Break World Record for Water Recycling. #GWRS #WorldRecord @OCWDWaterNews. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/ …/OC-Aims-to-Break-World-Reco… OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 Thank you to our volunteers who are helping validate our numbers and make us official!!! #makinghistory #gwrs #ocwd OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 At #GWRS taste testing ultra-purified water that used to be wastewater with @NBCLA and @OCWDWaterNews. 14 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 At #GWRS with Orange County Water District and Denis Bilodeau celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary. of #GWRS. Thank you NBC LA for coming out and helping us celebrate this momentous occasion. OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 Thank you to our volunteers for helping us make history! #GWRS OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 16 General Manager Jim Herberg this morning with NBC news talking about the OC Sanitation District and #GWRS. 15 IRWDnews @IRWDnews Feb 15 The #gwrs is attempting to set a Guinness World Records title for most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. Will they do it? @OCWDWaterNews @OCSewers @gwr Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Feb 15 8.333 MGD in just two hours! We're on our way to a world record. @OCSewers @GWR OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 15 Tune in to our Facebook page at 3 p.m. for live video as we kick off our @GWR attempt with the @OCWDWaterNews. OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 14 OC Sewers Retweeted CASA_CleanWater We are honored to be part of the CASA Education Foundation. 16 OC Sewers added, CASA_CleanWater @CASA_CleanWater We were honored to recognize these members at conference for their contributions to the CASA Education Foundation. Your support helps the foundation provide scholarships to future wastewater leaders. Thank you! OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 14 OC Sewers Retweeted CA Clean Water Pros Thank you for letting us come and speak at the conference! OC Sewers added, Our annual Pretreatment and Stormwater Training Conference is kicking off on a beautiful morning in Riverside. Amazing lineup of opening speakers incl Tomás Torres @EPAwater; Jim Herberg @OCSewers; Chad… OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 14 Happy Valentine's Day! #valentine #OCSD 17 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 14 It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Surge Towers. https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/posts/10155354799517951 … OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 13 OC Sewers Retweeted Orange County Water Can't wait for Friday!!! These food trucks have some delicious food! OC Sewers added, Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Are you hungry? @thelimetruck and @theburnttruck will be serving delicious food at this Friday’s Winter Fest. Visit https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/winter-fest … for more info. @OCSewers OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 13 Got plans for Friday? If not, why don't you come join us for Winter Fest! Click the link to learn more! https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs/winter-fest … 18 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 9 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 Feb 9 Just a reminder that OCSD's Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 8 Congratulations to OCSD's procurement team! They received the Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2017. OCSD was one of only 49 agencies to receive this award and one of only 28 special districts in the US & Canada to receive this award! 19 OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 8 Thanks for helping us get the message out! OC Sewers added, Water Environment Federation @WEForg Will you be in Southern California and have a couple hours to spare on Feb. 15 or 16? Be a witness to history! Our friends at @OCSewers need volunteer witnesses as they try to set a record for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours: https://goo.gl/MrKug2 Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Feb 7 #OCWD and @ocsewers to attempt world record for most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours http://ow.ly/yv9Z30igNiK OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 5 "Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return." - Ralph Marston #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers Feb 1 Happy #throwbackthursday. Here's a picture of an OCSD employee scrapping the bar screens by hand in 1946. So thankful that we have machines to do that now! 20 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 31 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/ … OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 30 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/ … OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 29 Wednesday, January 31st is the deadline to submit your PSA Video! Visit https://www.ocsd.com/education/psa to find all of the information that you need. Good luck!! OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 29 21 "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." – Albert Einstein #MotivationMonday CASA_CleanWater @CASA_CleanWater Jan 26 @OCSewers Jennifer Cabral inspired us today with highlights from Orange County Sanitation District's What 2 Flush Campaign. http://www.what2flush.com/ OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 26 Thank you for letting us speak to you all today! Hope you enjoyed the presentation. OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 26 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! OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 26 Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/posts/10155266622027951?notif_id=1516986002266089&notif_t=scheduled_post_published&ref=notif … 22 OC Sewers @OCSewers Jan 25 CONSTRUCTION ALERT: Pipe bursting activities will take place next week on the Newport Blvd Construction Project in the @newportbeachgov. https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers/videos/10155319993797951/ … 23 Facebook Posts for January and February 2018 Posted 39 times Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · 1 hr · Thanks Orange County Register for the recent article on our Guinness World Records for the most recycled wastewater in a 24 hour period. #GWRS #OCWD https://www.ocregister.com/…/from-waste-to-taste-orange-co…/ From waste to taste: Orange County sets Guinness record for recycled water The motto for the bottled drinking water reclaimed from wastewater by the Orange County Water and Sanitation districts reads “Tastes like water… OCREGISTER.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · Yesterday at 11:32am · Our Guinness World Records for the most recycled wastewater in a 24 hour period was mentioned in the Daily Pilot. Check out the article! #OCWD #GWRS http://www.latimes.com/…/tn-dpt-me-around-town-20180216-sto… Around Town: Construction work begins on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa News and events briefs from the Daily Pilot LATIMES.COM Facebook Posts  January and February 2018    24 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 19 at 9:00am · "When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." -Mattie Stepanek #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Jennifer Cabral · February 17 at 8:23am · Yesterday was a long, fun and eventful day!!! Local, and national media coverage while setting a new world record of over 100 million gallons wastewater recycled in a 24-hour period. All this while celebrating with policy makers, co- workers, friends and families in our community. Yesterday was a good day. #gwrs #ocwd Orange County Sanitation District shared Orange County Water District (Fountain Valley, CA)'s live video. Published by Kelly Newell · February 16 at 7:12pm · Check out today's Winter Fest! Orange County Water District (Fountain Valley, CA) was live — at Orange County Water District (Fountain Valley, CA).Like Page February 16 at 4:01pm · Fountain Valley · Live at The GWRS 10th Anniversary Winter Fest, including an announcement from Guinness World Records! 25 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 16 at 9:00am · Just a reminder that OCSD's Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 19 in observance of President's Day. We hope that you have a safe and wonderful holiday. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 16 at 8:07am · We are on our way to setting a world record! Check out this video from NBC LA this morning: OC Aims to Break World Record for Water Recycling. #GWRS #WorldRecord #OCWD Tim Shaw https://www.nbclosangeles.com/…/OC-Aims-to-Break-World-Reco… OC Aims to Break World Record for Water Recycling Orange County is trying to break a world record by turning 100 million gallons of sewage water into drinking water in a single day. Mekahlo Medina reports for Today in LA on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018. NBCLOSANGELES.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · February 16 at 6:54am · At #GWRS taste testing ultra-purified water that used to be wastewater withNBC LA andOrange County Water District). 26 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · February 16 at 6:09am · At #GWRS with Orange County Water District and Denis Bilodeaucelebrating our 10 Year Anniversary. of #GWRS. Thank you NBC LA for coming out and helping us celebrate this momentous occasion. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · February 16 at 5:54am · General Manager Jim Herberg this morning with NBC news talking about the OC Sanitation District and #GWRS. 27 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · February 16 at 2:00am · Thank you to our volunteers for helping us make history! #GWRS Orange County Sanitation District added 2 new photos. Published by Jennifer Cabral · February 16 at 1:10am · Thank you to our volunteers who are helping validate our numbers and make us official!!! #makinghistory #gwrs #ocwd Orange County Sanitation District Published by Jennifer Cabral · February 16 at 12:55am · 28 In 10 hours the #GWRS has produced over 37 million gallons. Will we set the record? @ocwdwaternews @ocsewers @guinnessworldrecords #waterreuse #worldrecord Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 15 at 7:35pm · After just two hours (5pm), the #GWRS has produced more than 8 million gallons of water. Guinness World Records here we come! Orange County Sanitation District was live — at Orange County Water District. Published by Kelly Newell · February 15 at 3:29pm · Fountain Valley · The GWRS starts the official attempt for recycling the most wastewater into drinking water in a 24 hour period! Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 15 at 3:03pm · Fountain Valley · We are about to start! 29 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 15 at 11:00am · Tune in to our Facebook page at 3 p.m. for live video as we kick off our @GWR attempt with the Orange County Water District. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 15 at 8:41am · Will the #GWRS set a world record? Be there as it happens! Event starts tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. 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,… OCWD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 14 at 9:00am · 30 Happy Valentine's Day! #valentine #OCSD Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 14 at 12:00am · It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Surge Towers The Surge Towers are part of OSCD’s conveyance network which allows our treated effluent to safely enter our Outfall Pipes. OCSD has two surge towers at our Plant No. 2 facility in Huntington Beach which are located on top of the land portion of the Outfall Pipes in between our large Effluent Pump Stations and the Ocean Outfall pipes. The Surge Tower that is current... See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 12 at 9:00am · "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value." - Albert Einstein #MotivationMonday 31 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 10 at 9:00am · Got plans for next Friday? If not, why don't you come join us for Winter Fest! Click the link to learn more! 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 · February 9 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# Come join us on a tour! | Orange County Sanitation District OCSD is committed to providing a valuable educational experience that focuses on learning the importance of wastewater treatment in protecting the public health and… OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 9 at 9:00am · Just a reminder that OCSD's Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 12 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. 32 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 8 at 2:02pm · Congratulations to OCSD's procurement team! They received the Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2017. The National Procurement Institute recognizes organizational excellence in procurement by measuring innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement function. OCSD was one of only 49 agencies to receive this award and one of only 28 special districts in the United States and Canada to receive this award. OCSD has received this award for 16 consecutive years now. Way to go team! Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long · February 7 at 9:49am · To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of this world-renowned project, OCSD and Orange County Water District (OCWD) are attempting to set a new Guinness World RecordsTM title for the most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours. This can only be accomplished with the work of volunteer witnesses to help verify the data to validate the attempt. OCSD and OCWD sincerely appreciate your continued support of the GWRS and would like to ask you to serve as a witness for thi... 33 See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 5 at 9:00am · "Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return." - Ralph Marston #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 3 at 12:00pm · Superbowl Sunday is one of the Orange County Sanitation District's peak flow days. This Sunday, make sure you know #What2Flush! The three Ps: - Pee - Poop... See More Orange County Sanitation District 34 Published by Kelly Newell · February 2 at 9:00am · Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. OCSD Maintenance Worker Ryan Myers and Temp Worker Joe Salcedo work on our Active Sludge Digesters C and L Sight Glass Windows at Plant No. 2. As you can see they are both breathing through and protected by a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus due to the hazardous atmosphere (High Lower Explosive Limit, Low Oxygen Level, and High Hydrogen Sulfide) that is escaping. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · February 1 at 10:06am · Happy #throwbackthursday. Here's a picture of an OCSD employee scrapping the bar screens by hand in 1946. So thankful that we have machines to do that now! Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 30 at 12:00pm · 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/ 35 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,… OCWD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 29 at 12:00pm · Wednesday, January 31st is the deadline to submit your PSA Video! Visit https://www.ocsd.com/education/psa to find all of the information that you need. Good luck!! 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 29 at 9:00am · "Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." – Albert Einstein #MotivationMonday Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 27 at 9:00am · Yesterday, Public Affairs Supervisor, Jennifer Cabral gave a presentation to a group at the California Association of Sanitation Agencies conference on our What 2 Flush Campaign. http://www.what2flush.com/ 36 Home . Human waste and toilet paper should be the only thing going down the toilet. Unfortunately, over the years, people have turned the toilet into a trash can. From medications and sanitary products to deceased pet fish and cigarette butts, if it fits,… WHAT2FLUSH.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 26 at 12:00pm · 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 26 at 9:00am · Every Friday, we’re sharing photos of OCSD employees hard at work and we're calling it #OCSDatWork. As part of the Odor Control Master Plan, OCSD's Ted Vitko is collecting foul air samples from all odor causing plant process areas to obtain the concentration of the most important odorants. By knowing at what concentration these odorants have a nuisance effect on the public, OCSD can determine the level of treatment needed to avoid odor complaints. 37 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 25 at 3:25pm · CONSTRUCTION ALERT: Pipe bursting activities will take place next week on the Newport Blvd Construction Project in the City of Newport Beach. Pipe bursting is the replacement of old pipe by fragmenting the existing pipe with a bursting head tool and installing a new pipe in its place. The new pipe is place in the same alignment as the existing pipe, requiring less excavation than the traditional open trench excavation construction method. Here's a video of pipe bursting that took place on the project in November. Find out more about the project by visiting www.ocsd.com/newport. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 24 at 12:00pm · 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=23321 www.ocsd.com OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell · January 24 at 9:51am · OCSD’s Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for today @ 5 p.m., in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, visit: https://www.ocsd.com/Home/ShowDocument?id=23311 Orange County Sanitation District added 5 new photos. Published by Tanya Chong · January 23 at 3:51pm · Thanks for the visit today LADWP! We hope you enjoyed your time and learned a lot about the rehabilitation technology being used on our 84-inch interplant pipeline. 39 +2 Page 1 of 2 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 03/12/18 To Bd. of Dir. -- AGENDA REPORT Item Number 4 Item Number -- Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Robert P. Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM 10TH ANNIVERSARY RECAP GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. BACKGROUND The Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) is a historic water infrastructure project that has had a significant impact globally on the public acceptance of water reuse for drinking water purposes. The 10th anniversary of the project occurred this past January. On February 16, the Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) and Orange County Water District (OCWD) hosted a 24-hour event that concluded with a community Winter Fest where staff, vendors, elected officials, legislators, media, and the local community joined in to celebrate. This milestone was celebrated with a toast to recycling the most wastewater in a 24-hour period and setting the first Guinness World Record of its kind with a record 100,008,000 gallons. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Support OCWD expansion of GWRS • 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A brief presentation will be provided to recap the 10th Anniversary of GWRS. • Combined “known” news coverage has reached, and will reach, more than 350 million potential readers, listeners, and viewers. • The PRNewswire release was placed on more than 240 news websites that have more than 84 million potential daily visitors. • The release generated 159 media views on the PRNewswire website as well as more than 600 views from the general public. • Over 1,000 people participated in the celebration. Page 2 of 2 PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS October 2017 - Approved hosting a GWRS 10th anniversary event in Winter 2018 in cooperation with Orange County Water District and approved a budget of $20,000, that will be split between Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District, in the GWRS outreach budget to host a GWRS 10th anniversary event. January 2017 – The GWRS Steering Committee approved a budget of $126,000, to be cost shared with OCWD, for outreach related to the bottling of GWRS water and the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the GWRS; and authorized agreement with Dick Jones Communications for an amount not to exceed $4,350 per month for 13 months, plus approved reimbursements and expenses, to execute the outreach plan for bottled GWRS water and the GWRS 10th anniversary. The Sanitation District Board approved $63,000 as the Sanitation District’s share of costs related to GWRS bottled water outreach efforts. December 2016 - Authorized $15,000 for the initial testing and bottling of GWRS water, with the cost of the bottling and testing to be shared between OCWD and the Sanitation District; and authorized the General Managers of OCWD and the Sanitation District to approve the label for the first-run GWRS water bottles. 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: • GWRS 10th Anniversary/Guinness World Record News Media Report To: Eleanor Torres, Jennifer Cabral From: Dick Jones Communications Date: February 23, 2018 Subject: GWRS 10th Anniversary/Guinness World Record News Media report CC: Dick Jones Communications was tasked with helping to organize the 10th anniversary celebration of the Groundwater Replenishment System. Our strategy included securing the Guinness World Recordstm organization to establish and proclaim a world record for the “most wastewater recycled to drinking water in 24 hours.” At the end of this 24-hour cycle, the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District hosted a Winter Festival at which time we would announce whether a world record was established. DJC was tasked with creating the record-setting/celebration ceremony on Friday, Feb. 16. This included securing a high-profile emcee for the event – in this case, former JPL earth scientist William “Bill” Patzert – as well as creating the scripts and agenda for all speakers. Media Relations Activities The celebration and Guinness World Records attempt provided DJC with multiple opportunities to secure news media coverage of GWRS, its anniversary and its contributions to water supply reliability in Orange County. DJC established three key opportunities for the news media to cover the record attempt: 1. Organizing a “Start the Countdown” news media availability at the GWRS control room on Thursday, Feb. 15, with OCWD and OCSD officials and a Guinness representative. This event included a red LED “countdown clock.” 2. A media availability aimed at local TV news stations for early morning live coverage on Friday, Feb. 16, to report on the status of the record attempt. 3. The formal announcement ceremony at the conclusion of the 24-hour period in the afternoon of Feb. 16. If these times did not suit news media, DJC staff provided flexibility in this scheduling to secure media coverage as it arose. To further help publicize the World Record attempt and to help OCWD and OCSD secure community interest in the Winter Festival, DJC drafted and distributed an early announcement news release as well as a media advisory to local, regional and national news media. DJC also conducted extensive news media outreach to more than 80 reporters, editors and producers. DJC worked with OCWD and OCSD public affairs/communications teams to secure designated spokespeople (board leaders and general managers) from both agencies and to prepare key messages and media tips for these press opportunities. DJC also wrote and distributed via PRNewswire on Friday afternoon (Feb. 16) a press release announcing the establishment of the new world record. Media Coverage/Reach/Impressions Based on this extensive media outreach, DJC was able to secure: • An interview by CBS network news (CBS This Morning) for a pending story on GWRS. • An interview with National Public Radio (Story was broadcast nationally Feb. 20) • Coverage of the kick-off event by the Orange County Register (Feb. 19) • Advance news coverage of the record attempt as well as wrap-up story in the Los Angeles Times/Daily Pilot (Feb. 15-19) • A series of extensive live reports on KNBC-TV in the morning of Feb. 16. • An interview with KABC-TV. Combined news coverage listed above has reached and will reach more than 350 million potential readers, listeners and viewers. The PRNewswire release was placed on more than 240 news websites that have more than 84 million potential daily visitors. Placement included Yahoo, Marketplace and TheStreet.com, etc. The release generated 159 media views on the PRNewswire website as well as more than 600 views from the general public. Other media placements, such as with industry trades (i.e., Waste Today Magazine) are occurring as well and expected to continue for the next few days or weeks. 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.