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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-24-2013 Steering Committee Agenda Packet.pdf Wednesday, April 24, 2013 Orange County Sanitation District 5:00 P.M. Regular Meeting of the g Administration Building Steering Committee - Conference Rooms A& B 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714)593-7130 AGENDA DECLARATION OF QUORUM: PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to speak, please complete a Speaker's Form and give it to the Clerk of the Board. Speakers 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 Directors. These reports are for information only and require no action by the Directors. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Approve Minutes of the March 27, 2013 Steering Committee Meeting. ACTION ITEMS: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 3. SAWPA Remedial Plan Update 4. Legislative Update CLOSED SESSION: During the course of conducting the business set forth on this agenda as a regular meeting of the Board, the Chair may convene the Board in closed session to consider matters of pending real estate negotiations, pending or potential litigation, or personnel matters, pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.8, 54956.9, 54957 or 54957.6, as noted. Reports relating to (a)purchase and sale of real property, (b) matters of pending or potential litigation; (c) employment actions or negotiations with employee representatives;or which are exempt from public 04/24/13 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 3 disclosure under the California Public Records Act, may be reviewed by the Board during a permitted closed session and are not available for public inspection. At such time as the Board takes final action on any of these subjects, the minutes will reflect all required disclosures of information. Convene in closed session. (1) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL RE. EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Case: City of Huntington Beach v. State of California Department of Finance, et al., Sacramento County Superior Court, Case No. 2013-800001441 Case: Hilda Cuenca v. State of California Department of Finance, at al., Sacramento County Superior Court, Case No. 2013-800001427 Reconvene in regular session. Consideration of action, if any, on matters considered in closed session. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 5:00 P.M. 04/24/13 Steering Committee Agenda Page 2 of 3 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)593-7130 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, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting dale 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. 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. Maria E.Ayala Clerk of the Board (714)593-7130 mavalae.ocsd.com For any questions on the agenda,Committee members may contact staff at: General Manager Jim Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbem(a)ocsd.com Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rghirelliOocsd.com Director of Engineering Nick Kanetis (714)593-7310 nkanetisQocsd.com Director of Facility Support Services Nick Arhontes (714)593-7210 narhontes(cDocsd.com Director of Finance and Lorenzo Tyner (714)593-7550 Itvner(rdocsd.com Administrative Services Director of Human Resources Jeff Reed (714)593-7144 ire dl(Wocsd.com Director of Operations 8 Maintenance Ed Torres 714 593-7080 storms ocsd.com 04/24/13 Steering Committee Agenda Page 3 of 3 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Dare To Bd.of Di, 04,24,13 -- AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 2 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Nick Kanetis, Director of Engineering SUBJECT: SAWPA REMEDIAL PLAN UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Item SUMMARY On January 23, 2013, the Board of Directors approved the Final SAWPA Remedial Plan and directed staff to issue the final Remedial Plan to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) to correct significant deficiencies in its pretreatment program. Since then, SAWPA successfully passed through Gates 1 and 2 of Remedial Action No. 1. Staff will provide an update to the Steering Committee on the status of SAWPA's progress on the Remedial Plan. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS January 2012 — The Board approved the Final SAWPA Remedial Plan and directed staff to issue the final Remedial Plan to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) to correct significant deficiencies in its pretreatment program. December 2012 — The Steering Committee reviewed the draft Remedial Plan, found the draft acceptable in concept, and directed staff to work on the plan with SAWPA. November 2012 — The Steering Committee reviewed the SAWPA Audit and directed staff to prepare a Remedial Plan for issuance to SAWPA. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION On February 13, 2013, SAWPA conducted the first of 21 Gate Meetings for the SAWPA Remedial Plan in accordance with the Gate Process and Work Breakdown Structure specified by the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD). Requirement 1 requires that SAWPA provide responses to the audit findings that are acceptable to OCSD. After reviewing SAWPA's submittal and presentation, OCSD allowed SAWPA to pass Gate 1 without conditions. On February 21, SAWPA and OCSD exchanged documents and met for an extended Technical Discussion to work on SAWPA's final responses to the audit findings in preparation for Gate 2, the exit Gate for Requirement 1. On February 28, 2013, SAWPA conducted the Gate 2 Meeting, and upon reviewing SAWPA's final Page 1 of 2 Book Page 6 responses to the audit findings, OCSD allowed SAWPA to pass Gate 2 with the condition that SAWPA make some minor revisions to the responses as discussed. SAWPA is continuing to work on revamping its Pretreatment Program. To help SAWPA develop an effective and efficient program, OCSD has provided numerous Pretreatment Program Documents from its own program to assist and guide SAWPA. OCSD also established key project management tools to assist the process, including a Declaration of Project Team and a Communication Plan, which has been agreed to and signed by both parties. Such tools are necessary to manage the interactions between the agencies. Due to the January 17, 2014 deadline, SAWPA and OCSD continue to meet regularly and work diligently on issues related to the Final SAWPA Remedial Plan. CEQA N/A BUDGET/DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE N/A MK:JQjb:gc Page 2 of 2 Book Page 7 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Dare To Bd.of W. 04,24,13 -- AGENDA REPORT ern Number Item Number 3 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Nick Kanetis, Director of Engineering Originator: Michael Gold, Public Affairs Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Item SUMMARY This report is the monthly legislative update that includes legislative and political information from Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, lobbyists' activities, and other information. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Federal Legislative Update Legislative Advocate: Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources During the past month, Congress began the formal process of moving toward the development of a fiscal year 2014 budget after completing a compromise to maintain federal spending for the remainder of the current fiscal year, FY 2013. From the Sanitation District's perspective, the agreement to extend current year funding ensures that the only disruptions to water quality and alternative energy programs will be mandated cuts of approximately five percent because of the sequester. While this funding reduction is not without impacts, it is important to consider the reduction in light of ongoing calls for a "grand bargain". Essentially, the sequestration cuts would have been experienced had Congress and the White House found common ground to implement a spending cut plan along with tax increases. In fact, the only significant difference would have been the ability to reduce spending selectively. So in some ways the sequestration's impacts will be a more equitable distribution of most cuts across-the- board. The White House transmitted its much delayed budget request on April 10, and with that action, the budget work began in eamest. Congress and the Administration must develop a comprehensive budget before October 1. Complicating the situation is the fact that the debt ceiling will require an increase; however, both of these matters could force a comprehensive budget and tax package, avoiding another stare down over whether to shut the government down or pass a Continuing Resolution. Page 1 of 8 Book Page 8 Regional Water Board Appointments The Sanitation District's priority to make changes to the income restrictions for regional water board candidates took an important step forward in March. As a result of staffs efforts, Representative Gary Miller's legislation, Sunshine on Conflicts Act (H.R. 836), gained bipartisan sponsors, including some from outside of California. This is significant because it demonstrates the need is not just in California. In addition, we provided support to Miller's staff updating them on the status of the need for the legislation in anticipation of a meeting with House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure staff. At this meeting, committee staff indicated support for the legislation and desire to consider next steps in the process including a potential hearing. If a hearing is scheduled later this session, it is likely that the Sanitation District would be invited to present before the committee. In the interim, we continue to work to generate additional cosponsors for the bill. Water Policy Begins to Gain Congress' Attention Despite the sense that the budget debate is commanding all of Congress' attention, the reality is different. In the Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works approved a renewal of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WRDA governs flood protection and ecosystem restoration needs. As approved, the bill, S. 601, contains a demonstration program known as the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). The Sanitation District has expressed its support of WIFIA as one of many potential options to address water infrastructure needs of POTWs. WIFIA, as passed out of committee, would allow a utility to seek low interest loans or guarantees to reduce funding costs. However, the program would limit assistance to projects with costs in excess of$20 million. The program would be funded at $50 million per year over five years with a cap of assistance set at 49 percent of a project's costs. One of the challenges of the program is the added "red tape" to qualify for assistance, including complying with a number of criteria to demonstrate the regional or national value of the project, in addition to existing SRF type mandates. Some in Congress and outside worry that this approach will replace other forms of infrastructure assistance (such as the SRF) and that prospect has stymied consideration of the approach in the House. In the House, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure continues to seek common ground on water infrastructure assistance. Ranking Democrat for the Subcommittee on Water Resources, Tim Bishop (D-NY) is working with Subcommittee chair, Bob Gibbs (R-OH) to develop a comprehensive reauthorization of the SRF and other financing tools including WIFIA, a trust fund, and private activity bonds. Additionally, full committee chair, Bill Shuster (R-PA) continues to move toward a WRDA markup later this spring and this could become a vehicle to attach infrastructure financing options that would be reconciled with a Senate-passed WRDA should Congress move the bills later this year or next session. Page 2 of 8 Book Page 9 On the tax policy front, both the House and Senate tax committees are diligently working on a game plan to legislate tax reform. One of the areas of focus involves the continued availability of tax exempt financing at the local level. Advocates of tax reform are seeking to eliminate this financing or severely restrict the benefits. One of the approaches being sought is a policy to encourage public private partnerships (P3). P3 would utilize private activity bonds to finance water infrastructure allowing the marketing of such projects to the private sector. The President is expected to seek the adoption of an infrastructure bank and the reinstatement of the Build America Bonds program as part of his administration's solution to the water infrastructure funding gap. Finally, the Sanitation District has been supporting the advancement of a congressional Utility of the Future caucus. This effort is being spearheaded by NACWA, who has requested our support. Ecosystem Restoration Assistance As part of the Sanitation District's ongoing priority to identify collaborative approaches to address needs related to the maintenance of its coastal watershed, we have identified a federal funding opportunity to support the restoration of its vegetation needs and eliminate invasive species. This program is supported by federal appropriations and the Sanitation District is reviewing the opportunity to seek assistance. If the Sanitation District agrees to pursue the assistance, development of the requested assistance proposal would need to be undertaken over the next three months. Alternative Energy and Water Quality The energy water nexus continues to command a significant level of congressional attention. In both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources have indicated a continued priority to address the need for federal incentives to leverage the embedded energy in the water treatment process. To this end, we continue to monitor this activity to identify potential avenues to leverage the Sanitation District's ongoing priority to address its alternative energy project. State Legislative Update Legislative Advocates: Christopher Townsend, Heather Dion and Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs State Political Update On Thursday, April 4, the Legislature returned from their spring recess and began to hold policy committee hearings to consider the nearly 2,400 bills introduced in 2013. Policy committees in both the State Assembly and Senate will begin to hear testimony of hundreds of bills as authors try to move their policy priorities forward in advance of the May 318' Appropriations Committee deadline. Additional deadlines for May concerning policy committees are as follows: Page 3 of 8 Book Page 10 ( May 3" - deadline for policy committees to hear and report to Fiscal Committees fiscal bills introduced in their house; ( May 101h - deadline for policy committees to hear and report to the floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house; ( May 171h - deadline for policy committees to meet prior to June 3; ( May 24`" — deadline for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house. It is also the last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to June 3r°. The Governor's Revised Budget will be released in Mid-May. However, according to the California State Controllers Office, the Governor's budget estimates a total of $12.746 billion of income taxes to be collected in April, which would bring projected fiscal year- to-date personal income tax revenues as of April 30� to $51.414 billion. California Democrats have recaptured a supermajority in the state Senate as Democrat Ben Hueso sailed to victory in a special election for a vacant San Diego-area Senate seat April 2n1. The Senate briefly lost its supermajority status last month, when Senator Michael Rubio (D-East Bakersfield) resigned unexpectedly. The Assembly will hold on to its supermajority status when Senator Hueso departs for the upper house, but not for long. At least one other Assembly Democrat, Bob Blumenfield, is expected to resign this summer to take a Los Angeles City Council seat he won in a recent primary. Successors to both Blumenfield and Hueso will be selected through special elections: May 2151 for Senator Hueso's seat with a runoff election to be held July 30th, and August 27"for Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield's seat. One major issue that will be considered by the Legislature is the possible reform of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). SB 731, authored by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, may be the primary vehicle for CEQA reform. As the top Democrat in the Senate, Pro Tem Steinberg has the political leverage and policy experience necessary to bring together a majority of members to support his legislation. Water Bond On March 121h, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee held their second informational hearing on the water bond entitled, "What's Changed Since the Legislature Passed the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 20107' The hearing featured numerous experts on the California's water situation. Ellen Hanak, Co-Director of Research at the Public Policy Institute of California, said that urban water utilities may need to change their rate structures to adapt if urban consumers continue to reduce their water usage. Other witnesses spoke about the potential of water conservation, importance of local groundwater, increasing local water supplies, expanding surface capacity and the need to plan for climate change. In both their opening and closing remarks, Senator Fran Pavley (D- Agoura Hills) and Senator Lois Page 4 of 8 Book Page 11 Wolk (D-Davis) noted her intent to look at "the three R's, reduce, revisit, and revise' as they move forward with the water bond. A Public Policy Institute of California poll released Wednesday, March 20�, found that 42 percent of likely voters favored the current proposed water bond that was previously positioned for the November 2012 ballot. This number is compared with 51 percent of likely voters a year ago who said they would vote for it. Among those polled, 44 percent were in support of the bond, which is now headed for the November 2014 ballot, and 48 percent in opposition. Seven percent were undecided. Pollsters found that the bond fell short of majority support in all age, education, gender and income groups. The greatest opposition came from the Central Valley and Republicans. However, support for a smaller bond was much greater amongst respondents. Of interest to OCSD, related to the water bond, is Chapter 11, which includes $1 billion in local and regional funding for water recycling and other related water projects that reduce reliance on imported water. This Chapter of the water bond was ambiguously written, and will require implementing legislation and/or administrative guidelines to administer. Should OCSD have interest in seeking funding from the water bond, it will be important to protect the funding levels in Chapter 11 and also provide TPA will guidance on potential projects that OCSD want to seek funding for so we may advocate on the Sanitation District's behalf as bond negotiations resume later this year. OCSD Legislation of Interest AB 371 (Salas) Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board or a California regional water quality control board, upon receipt of an application for waste discharge requirements for discharge of dewatered, treated, or chemically fixed sewage or other biological solids, to prescribe general waste discharge requirements for that sludge or those other solids. The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, establishes an integrated waste management program that includes the regulation of solid waste disposal and solid waste facilities, and defines solid waste to include dewatered, treated, and chemically fixed sewage sludge that is not a hazardous waste. This bill would authorize the Kern County Board of Supervisors, upon a majority vote, to regulate or prohibit by ordinance, in a manner more stringent than state or federal law and in a nondiscriminatory manner, the land application of sewage sludge in unincorporated areas in the jurisdiction of the county, as prescribed. OCSD took an oppose position on the bill. The bill is currently in the Committee on Local Government and does not have a hearing scheduled at the moment. AB 803 (Hueso) Page 5 of 8 Book Page 12 Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to establish uniform statewide recycling criteria for each varying type of use of recycled water where the use involves the protection of public health. Existing regulations prescribe various requirements and prohibitions relating to recycled water. This bill, the Water Recycling Act of 2013, would codify some of these regulations to, among other things, define various terms for the purpose of water recycling criteria, require the use of certain quality recycled water for specified uses with prescribed prohibitions, and modify prohibitions and requirements for dual-plumbed recycled water systems. OCSD took a support position on the bill. Prior to being heard in the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, the bill was pulled as Senator Hueso's authored bills became Senate bills, and as such is in need of a new author. As such, the bill is still in the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, with an upcoming hearing on April 161h. However, there have been no commitments by other legislators thus far. It is speculated that Assembly Member Jimmy Gomez may be approaching to author the bill. OCSD took a support in concept position on the bill. The bill was recently referred to the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee, with an upcoming hearing on April 16`". The bill is also looking for potential funding support. SB 691 (Hancock) Existing law, commencing January 1, 2014, prohibits a person from discharging from non-vehicular sources air contaminants or other materials that cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to the public, or that endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of the public, or that cause injury or damage to business or property, as specified. Under existing law, a person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor, as specified, and is strictly liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, unless that person alleges by affirmative defense and establishes that the act was not the result of intentional or negligent conduct, in which case that person is strictly liable for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. A person who violates this provision and who acts negligently, knowingly, willfully and intentionally, or with reckless disregard, is liable for a civil penalty in a greater amount, as specified. This bill would require, unless the original penalties prescribed are greater, that on the initial date of a violation of this provision, a person is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000, unless the violation results from a discharge from a Title V source, in which case the civil penalty is not more than $100,000. This bill would require that the recovery of a civil penalty under these provisions precludes prosecution of a misdemeanor for the same offense. OCSD took an oppose position on the bill. The bill was passed (6-2) from the Environmental Quality Committee and was re- referred to the Committee on Judiciary on April 3rtl. Page 6 of 8 Book Page 13 SB 785 (Wolk) Existing law authorizes the Department of General Services, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and various local agencies to use the design-build procurement process for specified public works under different laws. This bill would repeal those authorizations, and enact provisions that would authorize the Department of General Services, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and those local agencies, as defined, to use the design-build procurement process for specified public works. The bill would require moneys that are collected under these provisions to be deposited into the State Public Works Enforcement Fund, subject to appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would require specified information to be verified under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. OCSD took a support in concept position on the bill. The bill was passed (10-0) on April 91h, and was then re-referred to the Committee on Governance and Finance. Activities of the Month: ( Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) participated in a Sanitation District meeting at Quirk-Silva's office on April 81h; ( TPA recently held a check-in lunch with Michael Gold and will continue our bi- weekly calls with him; ( TPA will be attending a staff meeting at the Sanitation District on April 171h; ( TPA will attend a meeting with Michael Gold and Senator Bob Huff's District Director, Tim Shaw, April 17''; ( TPA will attend a meeting with Michael Gold and Senator Mimi Walters' District Director, Martin Paine, on April 291h; ( TPA will attend a meeting with Michael Gold and Assembly Member Allan Mansoor's District Director, Chad Morgan, May 2nd; ( TPA assisted in the drafting of position letters for AB 371 and SB 785; ( TPA updated the Legislative Matrix for OCSD; ( TPA is continually monitoring legislation that could have any potential impact on the Sanitation District. Page 7 of 8 Book Page 14 Grant Activity As a follow-up to the Tire-derived grant, which staff submitted in December, we completed all the necessary paperwork and were notified that we qualified for the grant as a finalist. OCSD is one of the finalists and will receive about $21,000 for landscape improvements. We are waiting for the grant agreements. Currently staff is looking into the 2014 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant for eligibility. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A CEQA N/A BUDGET/DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE N/A MG:JC:jb Page 8 of 8 Book Page 15 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations AQMD Air Quality Management District ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers BOO Biochemical Oxygen Demand CARB California Air Resources Board CASA California Association of Sanitation Agencies CCTV Closed Circuit Television CEQA California Environmental Quality Act 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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease FSSD Facilities Support Services Department gpd Gallons per day GWR System Groundwater Replenishment System (also called GWRS) 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 and 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 POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works ppm Parts per million RFP Request For Proposal RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SARFPA Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency SARI Santa Ana River Inceptor SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board Book Page 16 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations SAWPA Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system SCAP Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District SOCWA South Orange County Wastewater Authority SSMP Sanitary Sewer 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 Research Foundation Activated-sludge process — A secondary biological wastewater treatment process where bacteria reproduce at a high rate with the introduction of excess air or oxygen, and consume dissolved nutrients in the wastewater. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)—The amount of oxygen used when organic matter undergoes decomposition by microorganisms. Testing for BOD is done to assess the amount of organic matter in water. Biosolids — Biosolids are nutrient rich organic and highly treated solid materials produced by the wastewater treatment process. This high-quality product can be recycled as a soil amendment on farm land or further processed as an earth-like product for commercial and home gardens to improve and maintain fertile soil and stimulate plant growth. 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 the people detect the odor becomes the D(f for that air sample. Book Page 17 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations Greenhouse gases — In the order of relative abundance water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone gases that are considered the cause of global warming ("greenhouse effect'). Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System — A joint water reclamation project that proactively responds to Southern California's current and future water needs. This joint project between the Orange County Water District and the Orange County Sanitation District provides 70 million gallons a day of drinking quality water to replenish the local groundwater supply. Levels of Service (LOS)—Goals to support environmental and public expectations for performance. NOMA— N-Nitrosodimethylamine is an N-nitrosoamine suspected cancer-causing agent. It has been found in the Groundwater Replenishment System process and is eliminated using hydrogen peroxide with extra ultra-violet treatment. National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) — An alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF), with advisory support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NBP is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and promote public participation in order to enhance the credibility of local agency biosolids programs and improved communications that lead to public acceptance. Plume—A visible or measurable concentration of discharge from a stationary source or fixed facility. Publicly-owned Treatment Works (POTW)— Municipal wastewater treatment plant. Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI) Line — A regional brine line designed to convey 30 million gallons per day (MGD) of non-reclaimable wastewater from the upper Santa Ana River basin to the ocean for disposal, after treatment. Sanitary sewer — Separate sewer systems specifically for the carrying of domestic and industrial wastewater. Combined sewers carry both wastewater and urban run-off. South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) — Regional regulatory agency that develops plans and regulations designed to achieve public health standards by reducing emissions from business and industry. Secondary treatment — Biological wastewater treatment, particularly the activated-sludge process, where bacteria and other microorganisms consume dissolved nutrients in wastewater. 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. OCSD's service area is in the Santa Ana River Watershed. Book Page 18