HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-2016 Steering Committee Agenda Packet.pdf Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Regular Meeting of the 4:00 P.M.
STEERING COMMITTEE F' Administration Building
Conference Rooms A& B
10844 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714)593-7433
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
DECLARATION OF QUORUM: Clerk of the Board
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 want 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 Directors. These reports are for information only and
require no action by the Directors.
CONSENT CALENDAR: The 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent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 of the regular meeting of the Steering
Committee held on May 25, 2016.
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2. GENERAL MANAGER'S FY 2015-2016 WORK PLAN UPDATE (Jim Herberg)
06222016 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 3
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 orpotential 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
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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS
(Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representatives: Laura Kalty, Chief Negotiator from
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore; James Herberg; Robert Ghirelli; Celia Chandler;
and Andrew Nau.
Employee Organizations: Supervisor & Professional Management Group
(SPMT), International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501 (Local 501),
and Orange County Employees Association (OCEA).
(2) ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Significant Exposure to Litigation pursuant to paragraph (2)of subdivision
(d) of Section 54956.9.
Number of Potential Cases: 1
Claim for Damage or Injury from Steven and Jennifer Gates
(3) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
(Government Code Section 54957(b)(1))
Title: General Manager
RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION.
06222016 Steering Committee Agenda Page 2 of 3
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION, IF ANY, ON MATTERS CONSIDERED IN CLOSED
SESSION:
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS
IF ANY:
ADJOURNMENT:
To the Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at
5:00 p.m.
Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability
related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's office at
(714)593-7433 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability
and the type of accommodation requested.
Aaenda 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 a Committee or Board 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(docsd.com
For any questions on the agenda,Committee members may contact staff at:
General Manager Jim Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbemaocsd.com
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 mhirelli(docsd.com
Director of Engineering Rob Thompson (714)593-7310 rthomnson(d)ocsd.com
Director of Environmental Services Jim Colston (714)593-7450 icolston(docsd.com
Director of Finance and Lorenzo Tyner (714)593-7550 Itvner0ocsd.com
Administrative Services
Director of Human Resources Celia Chandler (714)593-7202 cchandler(c0omd.com
Director of Operations&Maintenance Ed Torres 714 593-7080 etorres ocsd.com
0622/2016 Steering Committee Agenda Page 3 of 3
ITEM NO. 1
MINUTES OF THE
STEERING COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation
District was called to order by Chair Nielsen on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at
5:05 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
John Nielsen, Chair Jim Herberg, General Manager
Greg Sebourn, Vice-Chair Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
Keith Curry, Administration Committee Celia Chandler, Director of Human
Chair Resources
John Withers, Operations Committee Jim Colston, Director of Environmental
Chair Services
Tom Beamish, Member-At-Large Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering
Lucille Kring, Member-At-Large Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
David Shawver, Member-At-Large Administrative Services
Mark Esquer, Engineering Manager
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Kelly A. Lore, Clerk of the Board
None Jennifer Cabral
Michael Dorman
Al Garcia
Tina Knapp
Mark Manzo
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kendra Carney, Associate General
Counsel
Patrick Shields, IRWD
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public comments were provided.
REPORTS:
Chair Nielsen reported on today's meeting with the Orange County Water District in
regards to groundwater issues in the North Basin. He stated the focus of the
discussion was on the extraction of pollution in the basin being injected into our
system. Staff will return with specifics regarding capacity and monetary
considerations at a future meeting.
06/25/2016 Steering Committee Minutes Page 1 d 3
General Manager Jim Herberg introduced Jim Colston who has been selected as the
new Director of Environmental Services. He then provided information regarding
three Honor awards received from American Academy of Engineers and Scientists.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Approve Minutes of the
April 27, 2016 Regular Steering Committee Meeting.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Kring; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2. PROPOSED ENERGY STRATEGY (Bob Ghirelli)
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli provided information regarding the
proposed energy strategy, including the District's goals, Fuelcell Energy's
proposal, renewable energy sources, subsidizing, and the District's currently
committed resources. Questions regarding the costs and utilization were
answered. The Committee requested an actual strategic plan, or a policy
document, that charts direction for the District and a total cost benefit
analysis, which staff will provide at a future meeting.
Pere Margalef, Fuelcell Energy, spoke in favor of the solicited proposal presented to
Orange County Sanitation District.
CLOSED SESSION:
CONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54956.9(d)(1)
The Committee convened in closed session at 5:33 p.m. to discuss one item.
Confidential minutes of the Closed Session have been prepared in accordance with
the above Government Code Section and are maintained by the Clerk of the Board in
the Official Book of Confidential Minutes of Board and Committee Closed Session
Meetings.
05/25/2016 Steering Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3
RECONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION:
The Committee reconvened in regular session at 5:48 p.m.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION, IF ANY, ON MATTERS CONSIDERED IN CLOSED
SESSION:
None.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. to the next Steering
Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kelly A. Lore
Clerk of the Board
06/25/2016 Steering Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3
STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd.of oil.
06/22/16 --
AGENDA REPORT I em Number Item Number
2
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
SUBJECT: GENERAL MANAGER'S FY 2015-2016 WORK PLAN UPDATE
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
BACKGROUND
Each year, the General Manager prepares a work plan of activities supporting OCSD's
Strategic goals and initiatives to be accomplished during the fiscal year. The General
Manager's FY 2015-2016 work plan was reviewed with the Steering Committee in August
2015 and a mid-year update was provided in January 2016. Attached is the update for
the General Manager's FY 2015-2016 work plan.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain a culture of improving efficiency
• Plan for and execute succession, minimizing vacant position times
• Highly qualified, well trained, motivated, and diverse workforce
• Biosolids, Odor, and Energy Master Plans
• Use practical and effective means for recovering energy, wastewater for reuse
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
January 2016: Approval of mid-year update of the General Manager's FY 2015-2016
Work Plan by the Board of Directors.
September 2015: Approval of the General Manager's FY 2015-2016 Work Plan by the
Board of Directors.
August 2015: Presented the proposed General Manager's FY 2015-2016 Work Plan to
the Steering Committee for review.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The General Manager's work plan includes goals for the fiscal year. Items in the work
plan had deadlines staggered within the fiscal year. All items in the work plan were
successfully put into motion and a majority completed.
Page 1 of 2
CEQA
N/A
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
All items included in the General Manager's Work Plan were budgeted in the
FY 2015-2016 Budget.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s)are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website
(mn .ocsd.corn with the complete agenda package:
Draft General Manager's FY 2015-2016 Work Plan Mid-Year Update
Page 2 of 2
,.., ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
Memorandum
June 1, 2016
TO: Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors
FROM: lames D. Herberg,General Manager
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2015-2016 General Manager's Work Plan Update
I am pleased to present this update for my Fiscal Year 2015-2016 work plan.The work plan includes five main
areas of focus: 1) Safety and Security; 2) Succession Planning; 3) Resource Recovery; 4) Reliability; and 5)
Operational Optimization. This work plan incorporates goals included in OCSD's Strategic Plan and was
reviewed with the Steering Committee in August 2015. A mid-year update was presented to the Steering
Committee in January 2016. My staff and I have been working towards reaching all the goals by their respective
deadlines.
1. Safety and Security— Implement measures to reduce risk, protect our regional infrastructure and
provide a secure and safe workplace for our employees.
• Implement Administrative Controls and address high priority items identified in the Safety
Study by December 31, 2015. Update: Risk Management distributed training materials on
administrative controls to all employees,for each of the 13 identified hazard area categories.
The outreach included a summary of the hazards and the applicable OCSD safety policy
highlighting workplace best practices.As of May,78%of the workforce have completed the
training. This item's status will be changed to complete once we achieve 100%. High priority
items identified in the Safety Study are being addressed and are due to be completed by
December 21,2017.
• Complete a feasibility analysis about obtaining Voluntary Protection Plan (VPP) certification
from OSHA by December 31,2015. Update: A survey and gap analysis was completed by an
outside consultant, Arcadis in March. The initial assessment identified gaps that must be
addressed in order for OCSD to achieve VPP certification. Once the final report is received,
toward in June, Risk Management staff will begin to evaluate and address the
recommendations. Based on the initial feedback,enhancements to our safety programs are
currently underway. These include more field time by Safety & Health staff and front line
O&M supervisors,enhanced safety reporting tools,better tracking of safety related concerns
through Maximo, and recurring meetings among key management that increases our
communication and decision making efforts around safety issues and concerns.
• Implement remaining high priority physical site security improvements as identified by recent
surveys and reports regarding OCSD's facilities by June 30, 2016. Update: Most high priority
items have been completed with the exception of a select few that are still awaiting the
approval of contracts. All outstanding items will be submitted through the project clearing
house for funding and implementation by December 31,2016.
• Work with Department of Homeland Security to assess and implement recommended
mitigations to reduce cyber security risk by June 30, 2016. Update: Due to the sensitivity of
this item,Information Technology provided a closed session update to the Board in January
2016. There are 10 longer-term items/projects that are scheduled for implementation.
• Enhance security awareness training, proactive identification and protection of Personally
Identifiable Information (PII) on our network and add additional layers of protection on OCSD
servers and employee workstations by December 31, 2015. Update: Valid files where PH is
kept have been secured and are being continuously monitored and exception reports
generated for suspicious access attempts.IT has developed and delivered security awareness
training for staff who use the process control system. IT has implemented additional layers
of protection on OCSD assets and will continue to improve our security posture.
2. Succession Planning — Review, modify, improve and enhance OCSD's workforce planning and
workforce development strategic initiative to develop and implement tools to expand labor force
capacity and staff skill levels.
• Employee Engagement Survey— Conduct an agency wide employee engagement survey to
assist in measuring the staff satisfaction levels. Use the results of the survey to develop an
action plan by June 30, 2016. Update: A consultant was retained through an RFP process to
develop the engagement survey.The agency wide survey was administered by the consultant
in early June. OCSD will receive the results of the survey in July and develop action plans.
• Classification and Compensation Study — Complete all phases of the classification and
compensation study by February 28, 2016. Update: The classification phase has been
completed and the compensation phase is scheduled for completion in June.Bargaining units
have reviewed the draft classification specifications and provided inputfor finalization of the
Page 2 of 6
class specifications. OCSD made a vendor change to Koff&Associates for the remainder of
project,as approved by the Administration Committee in April.
• Workforce Vulnerability Assessment— Identify vulnerable positions based on retention,
criticality, and difficulty to fill. Develop a workforce planning action plan for each position
identified in the vulnerability analysis. Identify workforce needs for the upcoming budget
process by December 31, 2015. Update: The workforce vulnerability assessment model is
complete.The model was presented to the Manager Team in early December and approved
for implementation by the EMT in February.HR is working with IT to finalize the automation
of the tool,as requested by the EMT.The development team anticipates deploying the tool
by mid-June.
• Talent Readiness Assessments —Identify key talent, as well as possible development
efforts. Develop guidelines and forms for this tool by December 31, 2015. Conduct two
assessments with the tools and guidelines developed through the Talent Readiness Assessment
by June 30, 2016. Update: Process guidelines and implementation are complete. Guidelines
were presented to Executive Management Team in February. The EMT competed a Talent
Readiness Assessment session in April,and EMT members are assigned to lead development
efforts identified in their departments.
3. Resource Recovery — Move towards 100 percent water recycling and expand from treatment to
resource recovery.
• Research—Present findings and recommendations on Super Critical Water Oxidation and how
to more efficiently clean digester gas to the Board of Directors June 30,2016.Update:Findings
and recommendations on the digester gas cleaning technology were presented to the Board
of Directors May 2016. A draft report on the Super Critical Water Oxidation will be available
in June.A report to the Board of Directors will be scheduled by Fall 2016.
• Planning Studies—Receive a draft Effluent Reuse report by June 30,2016. Retain a consultant
to conduct a new biosolids master plan by June 30, 2016. Update:The Biosolids Master Plan
was awarded to a consultant six months ahead of schedule In December 2015 and the
Effluent Reuse Planning Study draft report was received in May 2016.
4. Reliability — Move towards future sustainability and resiliency of operations by implementing best
practices for managing infrastructure maintenance and replacement and timely adoption of
operational and technology improvements.
Page 3 of 6
• Civil Assets Management Plan(CAMP)—Finalize the data management structure for collecting,
storing and retrieving all civil asset related data; implement the operational housekeeping
program to enhance the availability and reliability of our civil assets and develop a 5-year
program implementation plan for prioritizing, resourcing and integrating civil assets into
existing maintenance programs. Update: A temporary data management structure for
archiving civil asset related data has been created.A more robust data management system
is in development with a pilot system that is currently being tested.Housekeeping programs
which include gate and valve exercising,flushing and removal of grit in pipes and structures
and rotation of equipment in and out of service is being developed. An industrial cleaning
contract for grit removal has been established and removal of grit in problem areas is
underway. Preventative maintenance plans for valve and gate exercising are in effect at
Plant No.2. A draft program has been created for the valve and gate exercising at Plant No.
1. A Plan for development Preventative Maintenance (PM) schedules for both treatment
plants is on track to be completed by June 2016. This program will identify areas for
preventative maintenance development based on regulatory and reliability risks.
Preventative maintenance tasks for corrosion assessments,protective coatings,and cathodic
protection for metal structures will be implemented into the preventative maintenance
program as part of our continuous improvement efforts.
Planned Maintenance—Ensure that critical process units and equipment are ready to operate
and are receiving preventive maintenance in advance of the 2015-16 rainy season (El Nino).
Develop and apply planning and scheduling key performance indicator(KPI)reports to measure
success by June 30, 2016. Update:This effort was successfully completed. The Operations,
Maintenance and Collections departments ordered key supplies, tested critical equipment
and processes,performed preventative maintenance and reviewed emergency preparedness
and response procedures. Our emergency generators were fully tested and repairs were
conducted as required. Flow diversion alternatives were tested in the event that key
pumping systems were to fail. Conducted additional training including flood prevention
provided by the Department of Water Resources, Emergency Operations Center/Incident
Command System training,and conducted a functional exercise simulating a severe El Nino
storm.
• Operational Resiliency— Present the results of the business continuity plan to the Board of
Directors identifying the most critical functions to keep OCSD operating in the event of a major
Page 4 of 6
event by December 31, 2015. Update: Business Impact Analysis (BIA) sessions were
completed for all divisions.The summary was presented to the EMT in December 2015 and
the list of the most critical activities Is being consolidated into a list of business continuity
plans that will be developed. Due to lack of available resources, this effort is stalled. One
possible course of action is to seek out consultant resources. The Information Technology
division has procured the offsite Disaster Recovery site and has locally installed and tested
the solution. The solution will be installed at the Disaster Recovery site by July 2016. A
presentation updating the Board on the status of the business continuity plans will be made
in 2016.
5. Operational Optimization—Evaluate and optimize operations at OCSD to increase efficiency.
• Energy Efficiency—Evaluate the energy savings opportunities identified by The Energy Network
(TEN). Present findings and implementation recommendations to the Board of Directors by
March 2016. Update: In August 2014, OCSD entered Into an agreement with The Energy
Network(TEN)to explore energy savings opportunities at OCSD facilities.The audit findings
were very positive in terms of current energy efficiency efforts. The following points were
specifically noted:OCSD Engineering Standards incorporate best available technology;OCSD
Facilities are continuously monitored and optimized; there are potential opportunities to
improve energy efficiency by replacing existing lights with LED technology. Staff presented
the findings and recommendations to the Operations Committee in March 2016. Asafollow-
up to this effort, the engineering department will lead a planning study to determine the
appropriate lighting implementation plan.
• Shared Services—Continue to explore the six areas identified as potential opportunities where
shared services can improve performance and reduce costs for OCSD rate payers by
consolidating functions while also monitoring other opportunities regionally and statewide.
Implement at least one shared service contract by June 30, 2016. Update: Orange County
Water District has joined in OCSD's elevator maintenance contract and will commence
services this month. OCWD has also expressed a strong interest in sharing traffic control
services with OCSD to take advantage of economies of scale.Our respective purchasing staffs
are discussing the feasibility of pursuing a cooperative purchase agreement for traffic
control.Additional areas of interest include chemicals, Landscaping and Fire Extinguisher
Inspections.
Page 5 of 6
• Odor Control Master Plan—Develop a recommendation on odor treatment technologies and
levels of service goals for both plant facilities and complete Odor Control Master Plan by June
30, 2016. Update: Phase 1 of 2 for the Odor Control Master Plan has been completed. The
current project timeline has a scheduled completion date of December 2016.
• OCSD Headquarters Building-Advertise request for proposal to retain a consultant to design
the replacement of the Headquarters Complex Project P1-128 by January 31, 2016. Update:
The RFP was advertised ahead of schedule.
Page 6 of 6
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease
gpd Gallons per day
GWR System Groundwater Replenishment System (also called GWRS)
ICS Incident Command System
IERP Integrated Emergency Control 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 and Maintenance
OCCOG Orange County Council of Governments
OCHCA Orange County Health Care Agency
OCSD Orange County Sanitation District
OCWD Orange County Water District
GOBS Ocean Outfall Booster Station
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCSA Professional Consultant Services Agreement
POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works
ppm Parts per million
PSA Professional Services Agreement
RFP Request For Proposal
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
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
SAW PA 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.
Benthos — The community of organisms, such as sea stars, worms and shrimp, which live on, in, or
near the seabed, also know 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.
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.
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
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!f) - the dilution at which the majority of the people detect the odor
becomes the D(f for that air sample.
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.
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
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.