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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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.
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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
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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¬if_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.