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
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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
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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.
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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:
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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