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06-08-2015 Legislative & Public Affairs Meeting Agenda
Orange County Sanitation District " ., Monday June 8, 2015 Regular Meeting of the 8:00 A.M. Legislative and Public Administration Building Affairs Committee Conference Room A & B 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA "0 r"E (714) 593-7433 AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 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 Committee Members. These reports are for information only and require no action by the Committee. Proposed Mural at "A" Street Pump Station CONSENT ITEMS: 1. Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on May 11, 2015. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2. Public Affairs Update 3. Legislative Update NON-CONSENT ITEMS: 4. Recommend to the Board of Directors: Approve the Communication Strategy for OCSD Utility Branding as part of the General Manager's Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Work Plan. 0610&15 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 1 d 2 OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's office at (714)593-7433 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2,this agenda has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District's Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California,and on the Sanitation District's website at www.ocsd.com,not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all, or a majority of the Board of Directors,are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board. NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for the Committee Meeting, items must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board 14 days before the meeting. Kelly A. Lore Clerk of the Board (714)593-7433 klore(o3ocsd.com For any questions on the agenda,Committee members may contact staff at: General Manager James D. Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbentaomd.com Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rghirelli(ciccsd.com 061 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 2 of 2 ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Monday, May 11, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Beamish on Monday, May 11, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Director Diep led the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS STAFF PRESENT PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager Tom Beamish, Board Chair Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair Manager Tyler Diep, Director Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities Robert Kiley, Director Support Services Greg Sebourn, Director Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering John Withers, Director Ed Torres, Director of Operations & Maintenance COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Lucille Kring, Director Administrative Services Kelly Lore, Clerk of the Board Jennifer Cabral Norbert Gaia Al Garcia Rebecca Long Kelly Newell OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Eric Sapirstein, ENS (via Teleconference) Ian Delzer, Townsend Public Affairs Heather Stratman, Townsend Public Affairs 05/11/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORTS: General Manager, Jim Herberg, reported on the recent California Water Environment Association Conference in San Diego which the District actively participated in. Mr. Herberg stated that the District presented at the Opening General session, along with SAWPA, Silicon Valley Water Project and the City of San Diego based on the concept of water recovery/recycling. He also stated that OCSD won the large plant safety award at the conference. Chair Beamish reported that he was in Portland, OR recently where he even heard complaints on their drought. CONSENT ITEMS: 1. MOVED, SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on April 13, 2015. AYES: Beamish; Diep; Kiley, Sebourn and Withers NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Kring and Nielsen INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2. Public Affairs Update Principal Public Affairs Specialist, Jennifer Cabral provided an update on recent public affairs activities including: micromania handout; children's water festival; 11 groups for plant tours in April; Legislative tours with Congressman Alan Lowenthal and Senator Barbara Boxer's offices; Community outreach efforts; volunteers as judges at the OC Engineering & Science Fair; OC Public Works Day on May 16; Korean Festival on May 16; upcoming Career days; Sustain-A-Palooza Event; Inside the Outdoors with OCSD; speaking engagements; Public Works Week May 17; Honor Walk update; Save the Date Expansion Ceremony for GWRS at OCWD and construction outreach efforts. 05/11/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2of4 Director Rob Thompson also provided a short update on the Newport Force Main construction project. Vice-Chair Nielsen arrived at 8:10 p.m. 3. Legislative Updates Public Affairs Specialist, Rebecca Long introduced Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, who provided an update on the pending request submitted to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for WaterSmart program assistance. The District has received a joint letter of support from the Orange County house delegation, and are awaiting a response back regarding additional letters of support from Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer. Mr. Sapirstein stated that in regards to the 2016 FY budget, the Energy and Waters Development Appropriation bill includes language in the report that directs the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to redouble its efforts in water recycling, noting the huge benefits and encourages them to submit to Congress projects that reaffirms funding WaterSmart projects. Mr. Sapirstein further reported on: Water funding projects; tax reform; tax exempt bond financing; Waters of the U.S. Rulemaking; Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (RIP); personnel changes in Senator Feinstein's office; water supply and drought relief legislation; possible loan and grant assistance for water recycling projects; and the recent ACWA meeting. Ms. Long updated the Committee on: AB 327 (Gordon) Public Works Volunteers, AB 1387 (Chu) Change Orders; SB 355 (Lara) San Gabriel and Lower LA Rivers and Mountains Conservancy; and Proposition 84. Ms. Long provided a Grant funding tracker to the Committee and explained the grants applied for and the benefited projects. She also distributed a Legislative Priorities Key Message Card. She thanked Director Kiley for representing the District at the recent dignitary tours; noted the upcoming tours and provided clarification on SB 119 (Hill). Chair Beamish requested that staff organize a joint policy committee meeting with SAWPA. Director Diep departed the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Heather Stratman, Townsend Associates reported on the following: legislative deadlines; Governor's budget update, which is expected to have nearly $1 billion in additional funding with the excess going towards education and possibly some remaining funds to Cap-and-Trade Program; Governor's drought focus; grant funding, including Proposition 84 IRWM 05/11/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3of4 program and Proposition 1 Water Recycling program; SB 355 (Lara) update; and possible funding for a study of available alternate water sources. Director Withers departed the meeting at 8:37 p.m. NON-CONSENT ITEMS: None. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: None. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, June 8, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. Submitted by: Kelly A. Lore Clerk of the Board 05/11/2015 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 of LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS MEETING Meeting Date 06/08/15 AGENDA REPORT Item Number z Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. SUMMARY Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In May 2015, approximately 2,000 individuals were reached with an OCSD message. Activity # # of Guests OCSD/OCWDTours 5 80 OCSD Tours 16 226 Events 2 —750 Career Days 7 950 BUDGET/PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE N/A ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s) are attached and may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package: • Outreach Calendar • Media Clips Page 1 OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 05/01/2015- 1300- 1430 Plant Tour Boardroom UCI Engineering to tour Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 25 guests 05/01/2015- Speaking Engagement San Diego Nick Arhonles:Attendee/ Nick Arhontes Speaker Cheryl Scott Speaker(What 2 Flush Summit 5/1)at the CWEA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA 4/29-511. 05/01/2015- 830- 1200 CWEA Students and Town and Country HR to host Career Fair Janine Aguilar and Tiffany Cheryl Scott Young Professionals Community Center, Nguyen Hosts Career Fair San Diego 05/01/2015- 1000- 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Helene Ansel Senior Field Rob Thompson Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Representative for Congressman Alan Lowenthal 05/04/2015- 900- 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom SCAP Meeting and Plant Jim Spears Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. Approx. 25 guests. 05/05/2015- 1400- 1530 Plant Tour Boardroom Saddleback College to tour Cindy Murra Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 30 guests 05/07/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom OCHCA Nursing class to Ingrid Hellebrand Tour Cheryl Scott tour P1. Approx. 13 guests Guide 05/07/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing to tour P1. Ingrid Hellebrand Tour Cheryl Scott Approx. 25 guests. Guide 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 05/08/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom OC High School of Arts to Lisa Rothbart Tour Guide Cheryl Scott tour P1 Approx. 26 guests 05/08/2015- 1000- 1100 Career Day 25 San Carlo, Westpark Elementary Michael Lahlou to present Cheryl Scott Irvine, CA 92614 Career Day. 05/09/2015- 900- 1100 Plant Tour Plant 2 Rancho Santiago class to Shabbir Basrai Tour Guide Cheryl Scott tour P2. Approx. 8 guests. 05/11/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santa Ana College to tour Jeff Armstrong Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pl. Approx. 28 guests 05/12/2015- 1000- 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Goldenwest College to tour Mike Zedek Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 24 guests 05/13/2015- 1500- 1630 Plant Tour Boardroom Boy Smut Badge tour Mark Esquer Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 05/13/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Fullerton College to tour Mark Esquer Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 25 guests. 05/14/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour A&B UCI to tour P1.Approx. 15 Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 05/15/2015- 1415- 1600 Plant Tour Boardroom Cerritos College to tour P1. Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Approx. 30 guests. 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 05/15/2015- 1030- 1200 Plant Tour Boardroom Guests from V&A Nick Arhontes Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Consulting Engineers to tour P1. 05/16/2015- 900- 1800 2015 Irvine Korean Irvine Civic Center OCSD to host an OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott Cultural Festival information booth at the 2015 Korean Festival. 05/16/2015- 1000- 1400 OC Public works Annual 2301 N. Glassell OCSD to host booth at OC OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott Open House St. Orange, CA Public Works Open House. 05/19/2015- 1600- 1700 Plant Tour Room A Mimi Walters Deputy Chief Jim Herberg Tour Guide Cheryl Scott of Staff, Sam Oh to tour P1. 05/20/2015- 1000- 1130 Plant tours Boardroom Energy Coalition to tour Gary Conklin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 10 guests. 05/22/2015- 830-930 Career Day Fountain Valley Masuda Middle School Danny Tang, Speaker Cheryl Scott Career Day, Approx. 31 students OS/22/2015- 1200- 1400 Career Day Cerritos Haskell Middle School OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott Career day. OCSD Speakers to present. 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 05/22/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Vanguard University Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Nursing Class to tour P1. Approx. 14 guests 05/26/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom New Employee/Open to Randy Kleinman Tour Cheryl Scott the Public Tour Approx. 20 Guide guests. 05/27/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santa Ana College to tour Jeff Armstrong Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pi. Approx. 28 guests 05/27/2015- 1030- 1230 Career Day Cerritos Juarez Elementary School OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott Career Day. OCSD Speakers to present. 05/28/2015- 830- 1000 Plant Tour Boardroom UCI to tour P1.Approx. 25 Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 05/28/2015- 1500- 1600 Plant Tour GM Conf. Room Assembly Member Young Jim Herberg Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Kim to tour P1. 05/29/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom West Coast Univ. Nursing Lisa Rothbart Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. Approx. 25 guests. 05/29/2015- 1000- 1100 Speaking Engagement Santa Ana Speaking engagement for Nick Arhontes Speaker Cheryl Scott Remington Elementary School 3rd Grade. 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 06/01/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Home School Group to tour Ryal Wheeler Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1. Approx. 15 guests. 06/02/2015- 900- 1500 Plant Tours Boardroom Godinez HS to tour P1. OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott Approx. 98 guests.4 tours 06/03/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom West Coast Univ. Nursing Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. Approx. 25 guests. 06/05/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom West Coast Univ. Nursing Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. Approx. 25 guests. 06/07/2015- 1100- 1730 Tustin Chili Cook-Off Old Town Tustin OCSD to host Information OCSD Volunteers Cheryl Scott booth at the 2015 Tustin chili cook-off 06/08/2015- 900- 1200 Plant Tours Boardroom Jordon High School to tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Pl. Approx. 50 guests 06/10/2015- 830- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom City of San Diego Jim Spears Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Operations Staff to tour P1. Approx. 15 guests 06/10/2015- 1300- 1400 Speaking Engagement HB Library Southern California JD Eric Heish Speaker Cheryl Scott Edwards User group. Approx. 100 guests. 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM OCSD Outreach Report - 5/27/2015 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 06/15/2015- 830- 1030 Lab Tour Lab City of San Diego to tour Mike VonWinkelmann tour Cheryl Scott Lab. Approx. 15 guests. Guide O6/19/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Vanguard University Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Nursing to lour P1.Approx. 11 guests. O6/22/2015- 900- 1100 Plant Tour Boardroom UCI Water PRE UPP Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Down Under to tour P1. Approx.15 guests. O6/23/2015- 1330- 1430 Plant Tour Boardroom City of San Mateo to tour Gary Conklin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1. Approx. 8 guests. 06/29/2015- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Class to Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott tour P1. Approx. 13 guests 5/27/2015 7:46:35 AM Monthly News Clippings G�JN�V S A N I TgT�Oy = 9 Q 2 c� o � FCTi� �E May 2015 OCSD Public Affairs Office Table of Contents CONSTRUCTION.......................................................................PAGE 'I May 5, 2015 Coast Highway Construction Nears Completion By: Newport Indy Staff Newport Independence GW RS...................................................................................PAGE 3 May 24, 2015 Turning sewage into drinking water gains appeal as drought lingers By: Monte Morin Los Angeles Times May 25, 2015 Toilet-To-Tap Water could become a reality for California By: Hal Eisner FOX TV WATER CONSERVATION...........................................................PAGE 11 April 23, 2015 The Race to Save California from drought By: Elijah Wolfson Newsweek April 28, 2015 How California is surviving its new water crisis By: Madisse Silver Sweeney Public Radio International TWITTER POSTINGS................................................... ..............PAGE 38 FACEBOOK POSTINGS................................................... ..........PAGE 42 May 5, 2015 Newport Independence l Coast Highway Construction Nears Completion Posted On 05 May 2015 By:Newport Indy Staff The Orange County Sanitation District and its contractor are determined to wrap up Phase I of the sewer force main project along Coast Highway in Mariner's Mile by May 22, which means in a matter of weeks, drivers will start to see the open trenches closed, K-rail (the white concrete barriers lining the construction area) removed and the roadway returned to near-normal conditions for the summer. Phase 11 of the project begins after Labor Day, but should be less intrusive. This lengthy but necessary project lays a large new sewer pipe down the middle of Coast Highway alongside the old one that's in need of repair, all the while keeping the old one carrying wastewater. Some of the work is being done via a tunneling method and some via open cuts. Starting this fall, they will transfer the wastewater flow to the new pipe. Once that's done, they will commence abandoning the old pipe. In some cases, the pipe will be filled with sand or other material so that it doesn't cause a collapse. 1 Phase I has seen a few construction challenges along the way, including a gas line that was nicked, a conduit severed that caused a traffic signal outage for a couple of days, and finding the foundation of a buried bridge from the 1900s. These setbacks, while significant, have fueled the project team's determination to be off the highway, as promised, before summer. In order to make the deadline, the contractor has crews working Monday through Saturday, day and night for the duration of the project. There will still be times when the highway is down to one lane in either direction to facilitate the construction efforts. For the most part, there will be two lanes of travel open during peak periods: eastbound lanes in the morning and westbound lanes in the late afternoon and early evening. If you regularly commute through the Mariners' Mile area, you are strongly encouraged to find alternate routes for the next three weeks. Last week, the contractor experienced another unforeseen problem while boring under the roadway near the Newport Boulevard Bridge. There is yet another obstruction, an active gas line, and the decision has been made to abandon the boring efforts in order to maintain the project schedule. Working with OCSD and the City, the contractor will go to open trenching, something the project team wanted to avoid in this area because it is heavily traveled and has such a limited area to perform the necessary work. OCSD, the City and the contractor understand that this project and the related traffic delays have been a major inconvenience to residents, visitors, and businesses. The Mariners' Mile businesses are all open, and the parking meters at the City parking lot at Tustin and Avon have been "bagged" to provide free parking. If you have any questions or concerns, contact OCSD's community liaison at (714) 679-2088 or constructionhotline@ocsd.com. 2 May 24, 2015 Los Angeles Times Turning sewage into drinking water gains appeal as drought lingers At sunrise,wind pushes the receding water to splash up on the banks at Pine Flat Reservoir in Sanger,Calif.(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) By MONTE MORIN contact the reporter MAY z4,zorg • Droughts and Heat Waves As the drought drags on,water managers and environmentalists advocate turning sewage into drinking water It's a technology with the potential to ease Califomia's colossal thirst and insulate millions from the parched whims of Mother Nature, experts say. But there's just one problem—the "yuck factor." 3 As a fourth year of drought continues to drain aquifers and reservoirs, California water managers and environmentalists are urging adoption of a polarizing water recycling policy known as direct potable reuse. Unlike nonpotable reuse—in which treated sewage is used to irrigate crops, parks or golf courses— direct potable reuse takes treated sewage effluent and purifies it so it can be used as drinking water. It's a concept that might cause some consumers to wince, but it has been used for decades in Windhoek,Namibia where evaporation rates exceed annual rainfall and more recently in drought-stricken Texas cities, including Big Spring and Wichita Falls. GREED ,. TYf�1NNY •r ERY About a hundred protesters gathered outside a Nestle water-bottling plant in Los Angeles. TYRANNY •TPKIEVERY wli�- About a hundred protesters gathered outside a Nestle water-bottling plant in Los Angeles. 4 Desalination became a resource revolution that allowed one of the driest countries in the world to cultivate a water surplus. California has already burned through more than$200 million of its firefighting budget this fiscal year. In California, however, similar plans have run into heavy opposition. Los Angeles opponents coined the derisive phrase "toilet to tap" in 2000 before torpedoing a plan to filter purified sewage water into an underground reservoir—a technique called indirect potable reuse. In 1994, a San Diego editorial cartoonist framed debate over a similar proposal by drawing a dog drinking from a toilet bowl while a man ordered the canine to "Move over..." Despite those defeats,proponents say the time has finally arrived for Californians to accept direct potable reuse as a partial solution to their growing water insecurity. With Gov. Jerry Brown ordering an unprecedented 25%cut in urban water usage because of drought, the solution makes particular sense for large coastal cities such as Los Angeles, they say. 0 Group says California immigration policies contributed to droug� Instead of flushing hundreds of billions of gallons of treated sewage into the Pacific Ocean each year, as they do now,coastal cites can capture that effluent, clean it and convert it to drinking water. "That water is discharged into the ocean and lost forever," said Tim Quinn, executive director of the Assn. of California Water Agencies. "Yet it's probably the single largest source of water supply for California over the next quarter-century." The advocates'hunch that severe drought has changed long-held attitudes on potable reuse may be on the mark. Recently, a leader in the effort to stop the Los Angeles project more than a decade ago said he still opposed it but might consider a new plan if officials made a solid case for it. He said one of the reasons 5 he opposed the original plan was that"incompetent" officials failed to explain their rationale to residents in the first place. "You know,toilet to tap might be the only answer at this point," said Van Nuys activist Donald Schultz. "I don't support it,but we're running out of options. In fact, we may have already run out of options." Now in its fourth year,the drought in California has reached record-breaking levels of dryness with more than half of the state under the most severe level of drought. In some of the hardest hit communities,taps have run completely dry, leaving hundreds of households with no access to running... To be sure, it will be years, or even a decade,before direct potable reuse systems begin operation in California—if ever. One reason for this is that there is no regulatory framework for the approval of such a system. Currently, a panel of experts is preparing a report to the Legislature on the feasibility of creating such rules. That report is due in 2016. Potable reuse advocates insist the public's distaste for the concept is based on ignorance. They note that more than 200 wastewater treatment plants already discharge effluent into the Colorado River, which is a primary source of drinking water for Southern California. "That's what I call de facto potable reuse," said George Tchobanoglous, a water treatment expert and professor emeritus at UC Davis. In an economic analysis last year, Tchobanoglous estimated that by 2020,potable reuse could yield up to 1.1 million acre-feet of water annually—somewhat less than the 1.3 million acre-feet of water the governor hopes to save through mandatory reductions, and enough to supply 8 million Californians,or one-fifth of the state's projected population. In potable reuse systems, effluent from a wastewater treatment plant is sent to an advanced treatment facility,where it undergoes a three-step purification process. First, the water is passed through a microfilter that blocks particles,protozoans or bacteria that are larger than 1/300th the thickness of a human hair.Next, it undergoes even finer filtration in the form of reverse osmosis, in which water is forced through a membrane that blocks fertilizers,pharmaceuticals, 6 viruses and salts. In the third step,ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide are used to break down any pathogens or organic compounds that escaped the first two steps. The result is a purified substance that is cleaner than most bottled waters, according to WateReuse California, a group that advocates for water reuse and desalination. However, it is still sent to a traditional water treatment plant,where it is blended with other sources of water,processed and pumped to household taps. In an indirect potable reuse system,the water is placed in an "environmental buffer," such as an underground aquifer or surface water reservoir,where it is stored for a period of time before getting processed in a traditional water treatment plant. It is this type of system that was defeated in Los Angeles. Although potable reuse advocates say opposition is often driven by a visceral response to the process, the so-called yuck factor, those who opposed the Los Angeles project said recently that they did so for a variety of reasons, including cost and the potential long-term effects of the trace quantities of drug compounds,hormones and personal care products found in wastewater and surface water. "Personally I would not drink water that has been recycled through the toilet to tap process," said Steven Oppenheimer, a biology professor at Cal State Northridge. However, Oppenheimer said he would use such water for irrigation,and even household cleaning and bathing. The presence of so-called contaminants of emerging concern may prove to be one of the main barriers to direct potable reuse. Because of limited scientific knowledge,these compounds are unregulated, meaning that there are no government-prescribed methods for monitoring or removing them. Tchobanoglous and others insist these substances exist in such small quantities that they don't pose a significant issue. To some,the contaminant issue argues in favor of using indirect potable reuse systems. Such a system has been operating since 2008 in Orange County,where purified water is pumped into an aquifer and held for six months before being used as drinking water. Also, after its first failed attempt at establishing an indirect potable reuse system, San Diego approved a second demonstration project years later. It recently won approval to store treated water in an open reservoir as part of a pilot program. Allison Chan, an environmental engineer who has studied the issue of why some potable reuse projects succeeded while others failed, said that an active public outreach campaign,as well as a crucial need for water,were key factors in projects that won approval. Chan said that although education and outreach generally increased support for potable reuse programs, it also had the effect of hardening perceptions. In other words, supporters became even more supportive, while opponents became even more opposed. 7 r 11 r III Demand for rebates to replace grass with drought-tolerant landscaping has overwhelmed water officials and promoted auestions about the future of the highly popular program. (Taylor Goldenstein 1 Said Chan: "This just goes to show how the yuck factor can stick with some people." 8 May 25, 2015 FOX TV Toilet-To-Tap Water Could Become A Reality For California Posted: May 25, 2015 4:44 PM PDT By: Hal Eisner, Reporter hal.eisner@foxtv.com Photo credit:Hal Eisner I1 (FOX 11)Acknowledging California's worsening drought, several communities in the state have embraced an idea that tends to make consumers wince: turning toilet water into drinking water. To some people taking toilet water, turning it into tap and ultimately drinking water is yucky! 9 John Gasparyan, who drives a tow truck says, "That's dirty. That's nasty." Pierce College student Breana Stevens finds it all "kind of disgusting". But, Denis Bilodeau with the Orange County Water District says, more and more water agencies, conservation groups and even the Governor seem to like the idea. In fact Bilodeau, who sits on the OCWD board as a director says, in the OC it's going so well it's expanding and the idea is spreading. "In Los Angeles," he says, "there's a small plant they've constructed, but in Los Angeles and Fountain Valley is huge. It covers 40 acres and provides one-third of the water in the county. Bilodeau walks us through the process and, as he does, he says the OCWD and the OC Sanitation District have, since 2008, jointly been turning toilet water into tap. It starts with something called microfiltration. The water, says The first step involves something called microfiltration. The huge filters look like enormous concrete jacuzzi tubs. As we look down Bilodeau says you can't drink it at this stage yet. It's not safe and "it looks like very dark ice tea." The water is agitated. It runs thru tiny plastic-like filaments. The sewage is back washed. Filtered out are the bad things they don't want in the water. Then we go to a new section of the plant. Bilodeau says the expansion will dramatically increase the output of the plant. Each day 134 million gallons goes in, 100 million is turned into safe clean water and 34 million goes back into the ocean. 200,000 OC households benefit. The last two parts of the process include reverse osmosis filtering and massive UV treatment lighting to "breaks up any remaining bacteria or viruses molecules." This reporter tasted the water. It tasted like water. It was a tad flat because it has no minerals. Meanwhile, at Tara's Cafe and Grill in Van Nuys waitress Maria Dmitrivea said she'd drink it if it is filtered. So did lunch customer Julie Henderson, but there was no convincing tow truck driver John Gasparyan that it was a good thing. He said, even filtered, he wouldn't drink it and if he ever found out if his water was recycled from sewage he "won't drink water anymore." 10 Newsweek Drying Up: Race to Save California1Drought BY ELIJAH • • 23,2015 6:14 AM EDT • • ; • Ne FUTU % - - JUSTADD WATER NEWSWEEK /� r Felicia Marcus, chairwoman of the State Water Control Resources Board, is trying really hard to convince me that the California dream isn't dead. We're driving in my beat-up Volkswagen through the Central Valley, just south of Sacramento, and even here the effects of the drought are stunning: the hills to the west, usually soft and green, are burnt-crisp and yellowed. The fields spreading for miles in both directions are also toast; they look as if they would crumble under your feet. Here and there, crops still live, but they are hedged in on all sides by death. In the past few years, a drought has been slowly strangling California. Low rainfall and record-high temperatures have created a historically devastating climate. One recent study based on tree ring data suggests that the current drought, which most consider to have started back in 2011, is the worst the area has seen in 1,200 years. Earlier this month, California's annual April Snow Survey, which measures the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada on the day of year when it is typically at its highest, found just 5 percent of the historical average. The previous low, 25 percent, was set last year. Marcus says the good news is that no one denies reality anymore; people are ready to talk, and they think they have a solution. "It's not really a perfectly crafted plan," she admits, "but it's a promise from this administration about what we are going to prioritize over the next five years." Governor Jerry Brown had one look at the snowpack results and took the unprecedented step of issuing an executive order that requires cities and towns throughout the state to cut back water usage by a staggering 25 percent. At an April 1 press briefing announcing the first 12 mandatory water restrictions in California's history, he talked smack with some of his typical rough-hewn candidness: "The idea of your nice little green grass getting lots of water every day, that's going to be a thing of the past." It took decades of work by some of the country's greatest scientists and engineers to create the infrastructure needed to feed all those lush lawns Brown verbally laid to waste; California is in many ways the world's greatest geoengineering project. But there was a fatal flaw in their system. "We had no idea how the water cycle worked" in the early 20th century, says Jay Famiglietti, senior water scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "We didn't even know what `climate change' meant." The ecosystem those midcentury movers of the earth created, so powerful when there is rain and snow, is entirely impotent when it stops. And now it is dangerous. Welcome to Life on Mars For most of the 20th century, California was as much an ideal as it was a place, sold to transplants as a true paradise—beaches, vast green lawns, eternal sunshine and the country's Fertile Crescent. But that was a lie. California is not lush; it's and and dry, more Greece than Grenada. Nature certainly did not intend for there to be hundreds of thousands of acres of lawns and orange groves and almond orchards there. Nor could it ever have supported the 38 million people who now live there. The sprawling Southern California megalopolis—bleached by the sun and desiccated by its heat—is like a settlement on Mars: Everything it needs to survive is hauled in. 13 7, r f Y . crew removes tumbleweeds from a slope in East Los Angeles.It took decades of work by some of the country's greatest scientists and engineers to create the infrastructure needed to feed California's lush lawns; the state is in many ways the world's greatest geoengineering project. But there was a fatal flaw in their system. "We had no idea how the water cycle worked"in the early 20th century, says Jay Famiglietti, senior water scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. "We didn't even know what 'climate change' meant." DIANE COOK/LEN JENSHEL/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/GETTY It took a unique confluence of irrigation evangelism, engineering know-how and an appetite for large public works to make California California. It started up north. San Francisco was the state's first urban hub, and as the city grew in the early 20th century, so did its thirst. In 1916, construction began on the Hetch Hetchy water system, a project to dam up its namesake valley and construct waterways to deliver water to the Bay Area. Over the next two decades, engineers built tunnels, dams, reservoirs, hydroelectric powerhouses and a 150-mile 14 aqueduct; in 1934, the water started to move. It was one of the largest man-made water conveyances in the world, delivering about 260 million gallons per day. A quick note about measuring water: Chances are, you think of it in terms of gallons. But counting gallons quickly becomes impossible when scaled to the levels of California's needs. The water management industry measures in million acre-feet (MAF). It takes more than 325,000 gallons to make 1 acre-foot. Hetch Hetchy, which delivered over 290,000 acre-feet per year, was big for its time, but was nothing compared with what was to follow. The success of Hetch Hetchy begat further feats of engineering spurred on by some of the country's wealthiest businessmen (including the owners of the Pacific Fruit Express, a joint venture between the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads focused on shipping produce back East) and their evangelists, who had designs on making the Central Valley—which had sun and soil, but no water— the Eden of agriculture. In the late 1930s, the Central Valley Project (CVP) put up its first dams and canals. Today, the CVP stores about 11 MAF of water in 22 reservoirs and delivers 7.4 MAF a year to the Central Valley, irrigating more than 3 million acres of cropland. Sacramento followed suit in the 1960s, building the State Water Project (SWP), a system of 20 reservoirs that can hold 5.8 MAF, along with waterways that crisscross the state and deliver about three MAF annually to over 25 million residents and more than 750,000 acres of agricultural land. Combined, these two water conveyances traverse over 1,200 miles and are by far the two largest such projects in the U.S. 15 They were also largely responsible for creating what we all think of as California. The CVP helped turn the San Joaquin Valley from a high desert into the country's most important hub of agriculture (a stunning feat of hubris and engineering that the U.S. Geological Survey called "the largest human alteration of the Earth's surface"), while the SWP provides a good chunk of what makes Los Angeles and the Inland Empire livable. "California [became] associated with producing all the food people eat. And that imagery is very much associated with the rise of Southern California in particular—this paradise where they can just grow oranges," says Robert Chester, an environmental historian at the University of California, Berkeley. "It's the foundation upon which a larger identity is then cemented...California as the land of opportunity." 16 FF y For most of the 20th century, California was as much an ideal as it was a place,sold to transplants as a true paradisebeaches,vast green lawns, eternal sunshine and the country's fertile crescent. But that was a lie. California is not lush;it's arid and dry.PBNJ PRODUCTIONS/GETTY The staggering ingenuity of those hydraulic scientists and engineers seduced the state's residents into complacency; they assumed the pocket-protector geeks could always figure out new ways to shift water around. Cut back? Conserve? Not in the Golden State! That attitude still exists in many corners: There have been not entirely facetious proposals to, for example, build a massive pipeline from 17 Alaska down to California's Shasta Lake and construct a channel to shore up the flows of the Colorado River (which feed San Diego and other cities) with waters from the Missouri River. Water engineering created "a momentum that took on a life of its own as the panacea," says Chester. "This same mentality acts as a cultural myopia that prevented the consideration of alternative approaches that incorporate more practical and adaptive responses to limited water." As the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment pointed out in a 2014 paver, technological change in the water sector "has generally been marked by stagnation" since the 1970s. A striking comparison can be made with the clean energy sector: From 2000 to 2013, $69 billion was invested in clean energy, and just $1.5 billion was invested in water. In the past decade, solar panels have become increasingly efficient and electric cars close to ubiquitous. Meanwhile, we have come up with no new technologies for increasing water supply or lowering demand. On top of that, the water infrastructure is decaying. The California Urban Water Conservation Council works with 76 different urban water agencies. In 2012 (the last year for which it has data), those agencies lost an estimated 57.3 billion gallons of water. The recent drought has made clear how obsolete California's water technology has become. The silver lining: It may also force California to invest in new science that can help save the state from itself Drinking From the Toilet Take Interstate 5 south 400 miles from Sacramento and you'll end up in Orange County—so named, wrote local historian Jim Sleeper, not for any existing orange groves but instead for the promise of a paradise in which the citrus might, one day, thrive. As it did. For 18 years, that covenant was fulfilled with waters piped in from the north. Today, in the aptly named suburb of Fountain Valley, one of the country's most innovative wastewater recycling solutions is weaning the county off those wet imports. Everything is shiny as hell at the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). The administrative building is roofed in red Spanish tile and has air conditioning to meet your body's every need and dream. There are tidy trophy cases in the hallways, and upon leaving, I am given a swag bag that includes A History of Orange County Water District, an 85-page booklet printed on 32-pound bond paper, full color. The GWRS is a prodigiously efficient network of thousands of gleaming pipes, hundreds of pneumatic valves and various other plumbing fixtures, all operating at full capacity with almost no one in sight. A cattle trough in dry rangeland near Madera,Calif,Feb. 11,2014. Science got California into this desperate, desiccated mess. Can it also save it?MATT BLACKfME NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX The GWRS is the world's largest indirect potable-water system, producing, on average, 215 acre-feet of drinking water a day. It's been 19 in operation since 2008 and is such an unmitigated success that it's already expanding; by the end of May, it will be up to 307 acre-feet per day. That's enough, says General Manager Michael Markus, to provide for the daily water needs of 850,000 people—about one-third of Orange County's residents. "We looked like geniuses in 2008 because we were in the middle of a drought," he says, "and now we look like geniuses again." The GWRS provides the county with a drought-resistant source of water, at very reasonable prices: It costs water retailers just $478 per acre-foot. That price is driven down by "subsidies" in the form of grants from an old state water bond. But if you took that out of the equation, says Markus, you are still talking just $850—very reasonable compared with the $1,000 per acre-foot it costs to import water from the Colorado River and Northern California. It also requires only half the energy of imported water. The plumbing is daunting, but the science and water policy implications are fairly straightforward. The county's Sanitation District is required, by law, to take indoor wastewater (sinks, showers, toilets) and treat it to the point where it is clean enough to dump into the ocean. That, of course, is a massive task...and a huge waste. So instead, the treated wastewater is sent to the GWRS, which puts it through an additional three-stage purification process: physical microfiltration (to remove solids, protozoa, bacteria and viruses), reverse osmosis (forcing it through semipermeable membranes in a pressurized vessel to rid it of dissolved salts, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and even the smallest of viruses) and UV treatment (to disinfect the water and destroy any last, tiny organic compounds). At the end, it's been thoroughly rid of all contaminants—the GWRS 20 tests for 7,400 compounds as required by its state permit. The end product is probably cleaner than what comes out of your tap. The GWRS is "the best-kept secret in Orange County," says James Herberg, general manager of the county's Sanitation District. Though there are small wastewater recycling plants in California, nothing is remotely close to the scale of Orange County's project. There are plenty of reasons why, but primarily it's because there hasn't been much appetite for or investment in water-recycling technology. But this brutal drought has spawned many hopeful mimics. Marcus, the State Water Control Resources Board's chairwoman, says the 2014 Water Bond includes $800 million in 1 percent financing for wastewater projects, and $1.5 billion worth of requests have come in. "Look for an explosion" in wastewater recycling in coming years, she says. Already at least 10 substantial potable-reuse projects are in development, the largest of which is planned for San Diego. Halla Razak, that city's public utilities director, says that in November, they got the green light. In 20 years, she says, one-third of San Diego's water will come from potable reuse. The Pacific Institute, a nonprofit research institute that focuses on water issues, estimates that statewide implementation of efficient wastewater reuse could save 1.2 to 1.8 MAF every year. "To not have ocean discharge would be a fantastic step," says Melissa Meeker, the director of WaterReuse, a nongovernmental organization focused on promoting more efficient water reclamation. "That's like free water." Salt Water in Your Wounds There is, of course, another source of free water, tantalizingly close to the state's biggest cities and not too far from the farmlands: the Pacific Ocean. At nearly 64 million square miles, it covers about one-third of 21 the globe's surface and makes the acres of water pumped throughout California seem puny: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates it contains 660 million cubic kilometers, or about 535 trillion acre-feet. The problem, of course, is that you can't drink any of it. Seawater also kills living plants, so it's useless for agriculture. Desalinating seawater at an economically feasible cost has long been the holy grail of water security. And recent projects suggest we might be getting closer. In the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean, there have been desal plants since 1928; today, Aruba has the world's third largest such plant. In the water-poor countries of the Middle East, desalination is the difference between life and death. Saudi Arabia, for example, spent $7.2 billion to build the world's largest desal plant, capable of producing about 270 million gallons of drinking water per day. In Israel 40 percent of the country's drinking water comes from desalination, and projects in various stages of development are expected to raise that to 70 percent by 2050. There are 2,000 desal plants in the U.S., but most are tiny, servicing the needs of a factory here and there. Every major attempt in the country has been troubled. In Florida, a plant that can produce 25 million gallons per day opened up in 2008 in the Tampa Bay area, but it took six years longer and cost $40 million more than expected to construct and rarely runs at full capacity. A plant capable of 3 million gallons per day built in tony Santa Barbara during the 1987 to 1992 drought was completed just days before torrential rains flooded California in 1993. The plant shut down and hasn't been in operation since. 22 But down the coast, California's first real investment in the burgeoning technology since then is on the verge of becoming operational. At the southern edge of Carlsbad, an affluent, snoozy strip of coastal suburbia north of San Diego, sits the construction yard of the $1 billion Carlsbad Desalination Project. At the gate, a Frisbee toss from the gleaming and very wet Pacific, I'm met by Peter MacLaggan, the lanky, sun-worn vice president of Poseidon Water. He tells me the plant was originally planned to open in 2016, but the drought has put it on a fast track, and it could start pumping water as early as next month. MacLaggan has lived in water-poor San Diego his whole life. When I ask about previous droughts, he tells me what he remembers most is a lake on a friend's family's property to the east. During the drought of the late '70s, it dried up, and what remained was "so full of fish that you'd throw a rock in and the whole thing would start vibrating. There were catfish that just gave up and would jump out of the water." The big problem now, he says, is that San Diego relies far too much on imported water; 85 percent of it comes from either the Colorado River or up north. The city has been steadily moving to reducing that reliance on outside water. Now that process will rev up. "San Diego will actually look more like it did 70 years ago, when all of our water was local," MacLaggan says. "We are going to recycle every drop we've got—and get the rest from the ocean." One of the biggest knocks on desal is that it eats a huge amount of energy. But proponents argue that's a misguided belief based on outdated information. In the Carlsbad project—designed in consultation with IDE Technologies, an Israeli company that built and manages three of that country's desal plants—there are energy 23 recovery units that take almost all of the latent energy that builds up in the pressurized pumps and redirects it for other uses. MacLaggan says it works something like the regenerative braking that hybrid cars come with and calls it a "game changer." He uses this phrase a lot. "You used to need to push the water through the filtering system two times to get it drinkable; now it's just one." (Game changer.) "In the old days, the filter membranes lasted three years; now you get eight to 10." (Game changer.) "The membranes are also so much better that you need less of them." (Game changer.) L A skier threads his way through patches of dry ground at Squaw Valley Ski Resort,March 21,2015 in Olympic Valley, Calif Many Tahoe-area ski resorts have closed due to low snowfall as California's historic drought continues.MAX WHITTAKER/GETTY If it works, expect similar plants to mushroom up and down the Pacific coastline. At least 18 are in development already, including large projects in Huntington Beach in Orange County, Camp Pendleton (a Marine Corps base about 8 miles north of Carlsbad) and 24 Monterey County. And in what could be read as a referendum on the technology, Santa Barbara is bringing its desal plant back online. "We have enough [water] to get us through to 2017," says Joshua. Haggmark, Santa Barbara's city water manager. "But then we go over a proverbial cliff if we aren't able to bring on desal or rain." Well, you can't buy rain, but $40 million in capital plus $5.2 million in annual operating costs can buy Santa Barbara enough desal for 30 percent of the city's potable water. Haggmark and other proponents are confident desal will become more cost-efficient, and soon. The cost has gone down considerably in the past 20 years, despite little investment in the technology. "If California would start investing in desal, you'd see a spike in investment in the technology," Haggmark says. "You'll see money managers park money there, and you'll see continuing R&D." But many water policy experts aren't so optimistic. They point to the failures of Tampa Bay, Santa Barbara and Australia. "The Australians invested a lot in desal [facilities] during the millennium drought, and most of them are not being used at the moment" because the energy costs are still too high, says Ellen Hanak, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and director of its Water Policy Center. She says desal makes sense only in places, such as the Middle East, where there are no cheaper alternatives. "The cost of desal is driven by three things: the cost of land, energy and infrastructure," says Newsha Ajami, the director of urban water policy at Stanford University's Water in the West program. For desal to work economically, she says, you need to eliminate one of those costs. For example, Israel has some of the cheapest desal water, and when you go deep into the numbers, it's "because the land is basically 25 socialized." For instance, the Ashkelon plant was constructed on land that was provided at no cost by the Israeli government. Similarly, on the Arabian Peninsula, both land and fuel are cheap and plentiful. On the other hand, land in coastal California is notoriously expensive, and fossil fuels remain relatively costly. But there is another source of energy that California has in abundance: sun. The Almond Tree Graveyard I meet Garrett Rajkovich and his son Nick at a gas and fast-food way station off Interstate 5 in Fresno County. Rajkovich is a third- generation California farmer. His grandparents came from the former Yugoslavia to settle in Santa Clara County; they grew apricots and prunes there. When GE, Hewlett-Packard and other early tech companies moved in and the area turned from farms to suburbs, his father transplanted the family farming operation to the San Joaquin Valley. Today, Rajkovich farms 1,200 acres here, not too far from where the pavement hits the dirt, and where signs calling for an end to the "Congress-Created Dust Bowl" have been planted. In recent months, Big Ag has taken a lot of heat for its role in the current water shortages. According to the State Water Control Resources Board, farms use 32.3 million acre-feet of water annually, about 40 percent of the state's total water—or 80 percent of the water used by humans (the remainder mostly flows unimpeded, a legally mandated hedge against environmental disaster)—but account for only 2 percent of the state's $2.2 trillion gross domestic product. By now everyone knows it takes a gallon of water to grow an almond, and many are using that as a rallying cry, calling on the governor to stifle agriculture's water use even further. 26 Without a doubt, says University of Missouri water historian Karen Piper, "we need to rethink how agriculture is done in California." There is, she says, a long history of wasteful water use in the farming sector. As soon as the CVP was developed, small farms throughout the Central Valley were encouraged to use the imported water to irrigate their crops, and they were incentivized to be liberal in their usage. "If they didn't use that water, [the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation] said it was wasting water, and they'd give it to someone else," says Piper. Today, efficiency has improved, but not exactly in a way that helps keep water supply up. "They're growing virtually twice as much crop value as they were a decade ago precisely because they've become more efficient," says Marcus. "It's a miracle of food and fiber." But, she adds, "they haven't put in efficiency to put it back in the environment." The Pacific Institute estimates that we could save a staggering 5.6 to 6.6 MAF every year by enforcing efficiency measures—drip and smart irrigation, for example—statewide. Peter Gleick, the institute's director, is one of many water policy experts who have called for a statewide mandate requiring more efficient fanning standards. Meanwhile, farms have been forced to cut back on water use significantly. In cities, from Sacramento to San Diego, go into any business or home and try the tap. Chances are pretty good it still flows unimpeded. But many farms, including the Rajkovichs', have been running on zero water for two years now. Last year, the CVP released no water; similarly, the SWP delivered only 15 percent of its planned allocation in 2014. As a result, about 5 percent of the state's cropland was forced to go fallow, resulting in losses of over $2 billion and 17,000 jobs. This year, the CVP's tap will run dry again, and SWP deliveries will be limited to 20 percent of contracted amounts. 27 In the past few years,a drought has been slowly strangling California.Low rainfall and record-high temperatures have created a historically devastating climate. THOMAS WINZ/GETTY As in any industry, agriculture has winners and losers. The Rajkovichs' almond, cherry and grape plants, put into the ground about eight years ago, were grown with water from the CVP. Their allocation in 2014: zero. This year will be the same. And while other farmers have been able to tap into the unregulated groundwater basins beneath their land, Rajkovich has had no such luck. "We've dug several wells thousands of feet deep, and they are perfectly dry," he says. He shows me around what is now an almond graveyard, lined neatly with dead or dying trees. "This will be the second year that it hasn't been watered, so these trees are, for all practical purposes, dead, even though they have a few green leaves on them," Rajkovich says. "There is no crop, and there's no hope for saving them." So he's come up with an alternative: Tear the orchards out (if he can book one of the companies that do it—their dance cards are full for the next year) and plant a new kind of farm. 28 He drives me over I-5 and across the California Aqueduct ("The lowest I've ever seen it," he says). A few miles later, we sidle up to the North Star project, a 600-acre, 60-megawatt solar farm under construction on old, fallow farmland. If you squint your eyes, the rows of photovoltaic cells mounted on their metal poles don't look that much different from his neatly lined rows of almond trees. Rajkovich marvels that the parking lot is filled with cars. First Solar, the company developing the North Star project, says that it has generated 400 construction jobs that will last through to completion this summer, and that there will be 50 permanent jobs at the site. Meanwhile, there's no work to be had on the Rajkovich farm. "We've probably lost four or five full-time employees that are here year- round," he says, "but seasonally we're going to lose hundreds." He's already begun talks with solar developers. "It's not nearly as lucrative as a full-producing almond orchard is," says Rajkovich. "However, it's better than nothing." It might also be the future of the Central Valley. Recent research suggests that existing infrastructure in California could support enough solar equipment to exceed the state's current energy demands by up to five times—or perhaps to supply what's needed for new, energy-intensive development like wastewater treatment and desal plants. The Carnegie Institution for Science team that came up with that calculation found that about 13.8 million acres could be developed into solar farms without affecting the environment. In the past two years, 400,000 acres of California farmland have gone fallow, and now fit the bill. "My son," says Rajkovich, "will probably be a solar farmer versus an almond farmer. That's the future." 29 The Data Drought Everyone up and down the state, from the coast to the Sierra foothills, agrees: There is no magic bullet for dealing with the water shortage, but the state might survive if it can shake off its misguided culture of abundance. People should stop putting water-intensive landscapes in backyards and local parks, and let the ones here now die a noble death. Those man-made green carpets use about 4.165 million acre-feet of water per year-10 percent of the state's water—and provide little in the way of value. Spain, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Israel have all learned to live without ornamental lawns. Californians can too. "We have to get away from the idea that having a nice lawn is a good thing, and towards the idea that having a nice lawn is a bad thing," says Gleick. "People's preferences and behaviors do change over time; look at seat belts and smoking. We can change the way society values certain things." Technology will play a key role in the move toward efficiency. The state needs to repair or replace its outdated and aging waterworks with the latest and greatest. It should also consider scalable ways to improve the efficiency of the system at every node. For example, Sacramento could mandate water-efficient plumbing in all new construction. "It's sexier to visit a desal plant than a low-flow toilet," says Gleick, "but we'll get a lot more water at a far lower cost by installing low-flow toilets." California could also save a lot of water if the water decision makers weren't working blindfolded. Nearly every policy wonk I spoke with told me that the key to a water-secure future in California is better 30 monitoring and reporting requirements. We need to, at the very least, get up to the standards that other water-poor countries have set. "I can tell you right now the state of every major [water] storage facility in Australia, in my app on my phone," says Marcus. Contrast that with California: Sacramento has little idea how water is used in far-flung parts of the state where local water managers act in response to the local needs of their constituents, and not necessarily to their neighbors. Among the most important missing data is how much water is being diverted from surface waterways, like the California Aqueduct, and groundwater aquifers. "If California knew what Californians know about water, management and policymaking would be much easier," write the authors of a recent Public Policy Institute of California report. For years, the state didn't have to; there was always enough water to go around, and when there wasn't, there was always that eternal California confidence that there would be rain on the way. But, as Hanak says, "we don't have the luxury anymore of getting by with slop in the system." The goal of Jerry Brown's executive order, combined with the Water Supply and Reliability section of last year's $7.545 billion water bond and the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, is to end this carelessness. They require improved water-use reporting throughout the state and stricter penalties for water misuse and abuse. They also create incentives for efficiency and set aside significant money for investment in water innovation. There's no way to predict if all these sticks and carrots will help, but there is plenty of Golden State optimism that the state isn't done for yet. As we drive through Yolo County, where 90 percent of the country's canned and processed tomatoes are grown, Marcus is telling 31 me that the current Water Resources Control Board is ready to get things done. "Some folks call us the dream team. Other folks are probably terrified of us. But the bottom line is, we're problem solvers and our driving force is to make decisions. I know perfect is the enemy of the good." Then she points across my chest, and I turn to look out the driver's side window at what looks to be a newly planted orchard, rows of fruit trees just a foot or two high. Marcus apologizes. "Sorry, I want you to watch the road," she says, "but I didn't want you to miss the baby trees." 32 April 28, 2015 Public Radio International ' I .�, .• -- 1-�.i PRI Public Radio l mumatilxlal How California is surviving its new water crisis Science Friday April 28, 2015 - 8:30 AM EDT Writer Marlisse Silver Sweeney y .b Airborne Snaw Observatoy lies above the Sierra Nevada nimmmin range in California "Today was very grim,"says Frank Gehrke, one of the surveyors. "We had less than one inch of snow water equivalent at this location."Indeed,this year, the snow pack in that mountain range was only 40 percent of what it was last year. And last year was one of the driest seasons on record. With the snowfall each year representing approximately 70 percent of the annual rain, it's not looking good, or wet. 33 B. Lynn Ingram, a professor of Earth and planetary scienceat the University of California at Berkeley, says the current conditions can actually be classified as a"mega-drought." "We're in our fourth year of the current drought,but you actually could think that we're in the 15th year,because in California and the entire west,we've had [low] precipitation and run-off now for, you know, 13 out of the last 15 years,"she explains. Historically, she says, California has had a variable climate and has gone a decade or longer with dry conditions, alternating with wet ones. "The problem now is that we're adding, on top of the natural variability,we're adding global warming. And in this part of the word, it's predicted to get drier with fewer winter storms and less snowpack." To counteract this,the Orange County Water District has implemented a wastewater-recycling program. Mike Marcus is the manager of the initiative. "What we do is we take waste water from the sanitation district,which are our next door neighbors,"he explains. "Instead of discharging it into the ocean or considering it a waste,we consider it a resource." By running the water through an advanced purification system, it gets highly distilled and is then put back into the ground water base,becoming a source of drinkable water for the county. Seventy million gallons of water a day is recycled through the program, making it the world's largest indirect potable water project, says Marcus. It's projects such as these that will help California adjust to its new normal, says Ingram. "The 20th century,when we built all of our water departments, dams and aqueducts,was a relatively wet century when viewed from the long term,"she explains. `It's very unlikely that we'll go back to that higher level of precipitation, so we need to start shifting to longer term mitigation strategies like they're doing in Orange County." Marcus agrees. "We need to conserve first,"he says. "We need to conserve as much as we can, then we need to recycle." 34 1 1 1 � SI � I i Some of FCHEA's staff with Toyota Mirai FCEV before test drive in Washington, DC Are there new technologies on the horizon that will improve the efficiencies or costs of fuel cells in the near future? In certain markets, such as material handling and critical power, fuel cells are providing a quick return on investment, through reliable, efficient operation and valuable time and fuel savings. Customers in states with high commercial or industrial electricity prices, such as Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont, are finding they can generate electricity onsite with a fuel cell that is cost competitive and in some cases cheaper than grid power. Fuel cell power can also cost less where utilities charge extra for electricity at times of peak demand. There has been tremendous progress in cost reduction, both with fuel cell systems and the components they use, over the years, as well as continued increases in stack and system durability, efficiency and performance. As sales increase and companies begin to scale up production, order materials in bulk and streamline manufacturing processes, the cost will continue to go down. A very interesting and successful demonstration was the recent tri-generation project at the Orange County Sanitation District's wastewater treatment plant in 35 Fountain Valley, California. It proved the feasibility of a combined heat, hydrogen, and power (CHHP) system where a fuel cell was installed to provide electricity and heat to the wastewater treatment plant, as well as producing renewable hydrogen from biogas that supplied a hydrogen fueling station for FCEVs. This project was a breakthrough to help address future hydrogen infrastructure possibilities once FCEVs become more prevalent. Name a few of FCHEA's past successes and main priorities for 2015. This past year has been very exciting for FCHEA and the fuel cell industry as a whole. On top of the great excitement for FCEVs from the auto show circuit, there were more sales and installations in other markets around the world that helped to move the industry forward. The association made a concerted effort in 2014 to raise awareness of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies within the federal government, as well as organizations with a stake in industry, including: the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), National Association for Convenience Stores (NACS), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), U.S. Trade Development Agency, Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Western Governors Association (WGA), White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and many more. FCHEA's technical / regulatory working groups continue to lead efforts to overcome barriers to deployment for the full suite of industry technologies. Notable examples include the Portable Power Working Group's achievements in harmonizing national and international standards for transport of fuel cells and fuel cartridges and the on-going work of the Transportation Working Group in establishing an effective regulatory framework for FCEVs and hydrogen refueling stations. FCHEA joined and actively participated in several coalitions focused on tax-reform issues — the federal fuel cell investment tax credit (ITC) expires at the end of 2016, so renewing it and targeting other tax reform opportunities is a top priority for 2015. The association is focused on increasing sales opportunities for our members and continuing to garner support for the fuel cell industry in the press, in Congress, and among important stakeholders. To achieve that, FCHEA became involved with new groups, including the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, giving members a greater voice in key issues affecting the industry. Additionally, FCHEA is the secretariat of H,USA, a public-private partnership focused on expanding deployment of FCEVs and development of hydrogen fueling stations across the U.S. This group has grown more than 300% since its launch in 36 2013, and we look forward to an exciting year assisting with its continuing progress. Is FCHEA membership just for U.S. companies or can anyone join? FCHEA's membership includes fuel cell, fueling and component companies from the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Europe. Membership offers a full range of benefits, no matter where a company is located, especially if they want to expand business in the U.S. or find distributors or partners for sales and funding opportunities. FCHEA's technical specialists also represent members on international codes and standards committees to ensure that fuel cells are including in all relevant regulations affecting the sale, transport, installation and siting of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. As fuel cells continue to increase sales and installations in existing markets and prove themselves in others, companies in synergistic energy technology sectors will hopefully consider joining FCHEA to become more involved in the industry. There is also a lot of overlap in the supply chain of FCEVs and battery-electric vehicles, as well as in the construction of fueling stations, manufacturing systems and other sectors of the fuel cell industry where a component supplier could expand its customer base with membership to FCHEA. To learn more about FCHEA or the fuel cell and hydrogen industry, please visit www.fchea.org. Morry Markowitz, President Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association Morry Markowitz is the President of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), and leads FCHEA advocacy programs on Capitol Hill and outreach initiatives to target markets and users of fuel cells and hydrogen energy. Morry comes with extensive expertise in the energy field, in addition to sixteen years of association management. 37 May 2015 OCSD Tweets Twitter Posts for May 2015 Tweeted 17 times and Re-tweeted 3 times OC Sewers POC Sewers 3h3 hours ago We are accepting applications for the position of Director of Human Resources. If you're interested please apply. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ocsd/default.cfm ... OC Sewers na OC Sewers - May 22 so OCSD has taken down the k-rail barriers btwn Newport Blvd& Dover Dr. on PCH. Have a wonderful Memorial Day wknd. OC Sewers (dOC Sewers May 21 We're accepting applications for the position of Electrical Technician II. If you're interested please apply. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ocsd/default.cfm ... OC Sewers retweeted (0CWEA Membership(oDCWEAMembers May 21 CWEA Congratulates @OC_Sewers winner California's Plant Safety Award large facility category#safetyfirst #CWEAAC 38 OC Sewers (a?OC Sewers May 20 This week in celebration of#NPW W, OCSD has created a slideshow to highlight staff and the work we do. http://www.ocsd.com/Home/Components/News/News/496/52?backlist=/2f... OC Sewers ROC Sewers - May 20 Thank you @MimiWaltersCA staff& Director Kiley from @YLWD for touring OCSD's Plant No.1 facility in FV yesterday. OC Sewers na OC Sewers - May 18 IV It's National Public Works Week!Thanks to our staff who help keep our sewer systems working every day! N P\A'W ` � 1 OC Sewers (ci)OC Sewers - May 18 Busy And at the @City_of_Irvine Korean Festival &@OCpublicworks Open House. @DrStevenChoi @LisaBartlettOC M 39 OC Sewers C&OC Sewers - May 18 Helping carbon cycle with#biosolids#carbonsequestralion#climalechange treated #sewagesludge http://bit.ly/ocsd-cot OC Sewers laOC Sewers - May 16 Progress continues to be made on the Newport Force Main project.The Dover intersection is now paved. OC Sewers laOC Sewers - May 16 We're at the OC Public Works Day today until 2pm. Come stop by our booth for your free#W2F swag! OC Sewers (cDOC Sewers - May 13 RV We're accepting applications for the position of Instrumentation Technician 11. If you're interested please apply. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ocsd/default.cfm ... OC Sewers I7= Sewers May 12 Did you know that we give tours of our plant?We welcome both kids(10 or older)&adults and the tours are free! http://bit.ly/l mOsG71 OC Sewers retweeted &• Orange County's GWRS PGWRSnews May 8 • #GWRS featured in @nytimes article: http://ow.ly/MI07t OC Sewers POC Sewers May 7 Sp 40 Construction and lane closures may cause traffic delays on PCH this weekend. Click to learn more. http://www.ocsd.com/residents/newport-beach-program/newport-force-main-rehabilitation ... OC Sewers (a)OC Sewers May 6 The OC Grand Jury issued their report Increasing Water Recycling: A Win-Win for Orange County. http://www.ocsd.com/Home/Components/News/News/486/52?backlist=/2f ... OC Sewers (dOC Sewers May 5 IV Article on OCSD's construction project in Newport Beach.Thank you for being so patient with us. http://www.newportbeachindy.com/coast-highway-construction ....../ OC Sewers (cDOC Sewers - May 4 IV OCSD's tunneling machine was retrieved from an excavation pit&lifted out by a crane in NB over the wknd. http://on.fb.me/1 FLCMUz OC Sewers (a),OC Sewers May 4 IV Thank you @RepLowenthal staff& Director Kiley @YLWD for touring OCSD's Plant No.1 facility in FV on Friday. OC Sewers retweeted A9 Surfrider Foundation (oD.Surtrider - May 4 #BantheBead!About two dozen states are considering microbead bans. Will Oregon be next? http://stjr.nl/l DPMgj1 41 May 2015 OCSD Facebook Postings Facebook Posts for May 2015 Posted 17 times Orange County Sanitation District 3 hrs We are accepting applications for the position of Director of Human Resources. If you're interested please apply.htto://agency.aovernmentiobs.com/ocsd/default.cfm agency_governmenbobs.com You can apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the"Apply"link. If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application,you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. If you previously had an account on our old sy... AGENCY.GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM Am Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell Mav 22 at 3:11om It's been a long Phase 1, but as promised to the community,the k-rail concrete barriers have been removed and Mariner's Mile, the area on Coast Highway between Newport Blvd. and Dover Drive has been returned to the community to enjoy for the summer months. For more information, please visit the Newport Force Main Project athttp,//www.ocsd.com/.../new.../newoort-force-main-rehabilitation. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Orange County Sanitation District Posted by KeIIv Newell - May 21 at 2:55om 42 We're accepting applications for the position of Electrical Technician II. If you're interested please apply.htto://aaency.aovernmentiobs.com/ocsd/default.cfm agency_governmentj obs.com You can apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the"Apply"link. If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application,you will need to create an account and select a Dsername and Password. If you previously had an account on our old sy... AGENCY.GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM AM Oranne County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell - May 20 at 10:29am This week in celebration of#NPW W, OCSD has created a slideshow to highlight staff and the work we do.hftp://www.ocsd.com/Home/Components/News/News/496/52... Public Works Week May 19 - 2s. 203.S ©2015 Orange County Sanitation District.All Rights Reserved.Website Created by Vision Internet-The Government website experts OCSD.COM Oranne County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell May 20 at 9:30am Thank you Sam Oh (Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Mimi Walters)and Director Kiley(Yorba Linda Water District)for touring OCSD's Plant No.1 facility in Fountain Valley yesterday. 10 Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell Mav 18 at g:25am It's National Public Works Week! Thank you to our staff who help keep our sewer systems working every day! #NPW W 43 Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell May 18 at S56am We had a busy weekend hosting booths at the Irvine Korean Festival and the OC Public Works Open House. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booths.#ocsd #Cilyoflrvine#OCPublicWorks OW, EMT Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell Mav 18 at 8 40am M carbon Blosolids hell in ircarbon ueslration#climatechange#treatedsewagesludge bit.ly/ocsd-cot Orange County Sanitation District : Biosolids News The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD)is proud that our biosolids recycling efforts sequester almost 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents,which means that carbon is confined in the soil, and not burned as a greenhouse gas, as... OCSEWERS.COM Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell Mav %at 1044am We're at OC Public Works Day today in Orange until 2 p.m. Come stop by our booth to get your free#what2flush swag! 44 Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Jennifer Cabral May 16 at 9:13am Progress continues to be made on the Newport Force Main project.The Dover intersection is now paved. Crews working hard to get the streets open for the summer months. Drive safe in the construction zones. Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell May 13 at 7:23am We're accepting applications for the position of Instrumentation Technician II. If you're interested please apply.http://aqency.governmentobs.com/ocsdldefault.cfm agency_.government]obs.com You can apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the"Apply"link. If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application,you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. If you previously had an account on our old sy... AGENCY.GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell May 12 at T.20am Did ou know that we ive tours of our plant? We welcome both kids (10 or older)&adults and the tours 371 Orange County Sanitation District : Tours OCSD is committed to providing a valuable educational experience that focuses on learning the importance of wastewater treatment in protecting the public health and the environment.To encourage Teaming,the District offers a one and a half... OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District 45 Posted by Kelly Newell May 7 at 2:44om Construction and lane closures may cause traffic delays on PCH this weekend. Click on the following link for more information. =111111 I .../new ort-force-main-rehabilitation Orange Con ntv Sanitation District : Newport Force Main Rehabilitation This two-phase project will rehabilitate the existing Newport Force Main located on Coast Highway between Dover Drive and the OCSD Bitter Point Pump Station.... OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell - May 6 at 9:54am Recently, the Orange County Grand Jury issued their report Increasing Water Recycling: A Win-Win for Orange County. In the report, the Grand Jury recommends that the Orange County Sanitation District conduct a study on increasing the amount of water sent to the Orange County Water District for the Groundwater Replenishment System. This goal is consistent with our Board approved Strategic Plan initiative to achieve 100% recycling. With the guidance of both Boards, we are alre... See More www.ocgrandjury.org OCGRANDJURY.ORG Orange County Sanitation District Posted by Kelly Newell Mav 5 at 3:56om Arti I on OCSD's constru tin r ct in Newport Beach. Thank you for being so patient with n/coast-hi hwa -construction.../ Coast Highway Project in Newport Beach Nears Completion Coast Highway construction project along Mariners Mile in Newport Beach to be completed by May 22 N E W PORTBEACH INDY.COM ®Orange County Sanitation District 46 Posted by Kelly Newell May 4 at 3A5om The micro-tunneling operation on the Newport Force Main Project near the Newport Boulevard Bridge encountered an obstruction, an active gas line.The contractor dug out the tunneling machine and is switching to a different construction method to keep the project moving. This photo was taken over the weekend and shows the tunneling machine retrieved from an excavation pit and lifted out by a crane. Orange County Sanitation District added 2 new photos. Posted by Kelly Newell May 4 at 12:57om Thank you Helene Ansel (Senior Field Rep for Congressman Lowenthal)and Director Kiley (Yorba Linda Water District)for touring OCSD's Plant No.1 facility in Fountain Valley on Friday. 47 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS MEETING Meeting Date 06/08/15 AGENDA REPORT Item Nonbef s Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. SUMMARY Staff will provide an update on recent federal and state legislative activities. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION N/A BUDGET/PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE N/A ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s) maybe viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package: • Federal Update-ENS Resources • Press Release Clean Water Rule • Fact Sheet Clean Water Rule: Summary • Fact Sheet Clean Water Rule: Agriculture • State -Townsend Public Affairs • State Legislative Tracker • Grant Matrix Page 1 Ll �V wesouwces MEMORANDUM TO: Jennifer Cabral Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: May 26,2015 SUBJECT: Washington Update The past month was a busy time with a number of federal issues addressed in Congress and at federal agencies of interest to the District. These matters ranged from development of legislation to overturn U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA), clean water rulemaking,drafting and approving fiscal year 2016 budgets that impact water quality and resources,and federal agency decisions on funding water conservation projects including water recycling project studies. U.S,Department of the Interior's U.S,Bureau ofRec/amatfon Awards Funding to District Proposal The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) announced final decisions on which WaterSMART project submissions would receive drought funding assistance. The District was successful in its effort to seek federal support of a feasibility study to review the technical issues surrounding the treatment and conveyance of its wastewater flows that could,in turn, complement ongoing efforts to supplement existing recycled water supplies in the region. USBR provided the District with $450,000 to support the feasibility study. This award represents one of the largest awards made to selected projects. The award means that should the study determine that a project would deliver sufficient benefits,the District might be able to leverage assistance from any new federal drought assistance that might be enacted as part of a federal drought relief bill. It is important to highlight that in addition to the outstanding proposal that the District submitted to USBR,the congressional delegation's endorsement of the proposed study added an important distinction. The effort,led by Representative Rohrabacher,was a valuable demonstration of the importance of the study to advance innovative approaches to address the drought and its impacts. ENS Resources,Inc. 110114A Street,N.W. Washington,D.C.2000S Phone 202.466.3155/TelePex 202,466,3787 Water Supply and Drought We continued to monitor the development of drought relief legislation. As part of this effort,we provided the District with draft legislation that would provide for funding of water recycling projects as contemplated by the District. In our discussion with congressional staff involved in developing the legislation,we learned that the priority is an attempt to build support to include federal assistance for such projects as part of any final drought legislation. With regard to drought legislation, it now appears that the month of June will witness the beginning of a formal review of drought policies. In both the House and Senate,we anticipate legislation will be introduced. The first substantive action will be June 2 when the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources plans to hold an oversight hearing into the west-wide drought and its implications. We anticipate that shortly after this hearing,the House Committee on Natural Resources will convene a hearing to review California's drought needs and proposed legislation (yet to be introduced) to respond to the drought. In both the House and Senate, the primary policymaking effort appears to target the regulatory constraints associated with construction of water storage facilities as well as the need to promote water transfers and enhance development of alternative water supply projects by reducing regulatory delays and burdens in complying with mandates. We also anticipate that Senator Boxer might pursue legislative options to provide assistance and incentives to advance water recycling needs. Extended NPDES Permit Terms We continued to work with Representative Graves (R-MO),the sponsor of H.R. 1623,to advance legislation to extend Clean Water Act NPDES permit terms from five years to twenty years. Action on the legislation is considered a strong possibility as part of an ongoing House Committee on Transportation&Infrastructure interest to modernize the regulatory process of the Clean Water Act Citizen Suits Reforms We worked with congressional staff to develop final concepts to address reforms to the way in which the Clean Water Act citizen suits provisions are used and how they contribute to abusive practices. While final language has not been released,we anticipate that a bill will be released within the next month. At that point,the District will need to review and comment on how the bill would support District interests. Waters of the U.S.Rulemaking House passage of H.R. 1732,last month,set the stage for the Senate to review the need to rollback the Waters of the U.S.rulemaking. To this end,the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works convened a hearing on S. 1140 that would direct USEPA to review the process of how it developed the rule and redo the rule to address identified issues of concerns consistent with stakeholder criticisms of the proposed rule. The prospect for final action on S. 1140 is uncertain. As has become Senate custom, a bill must receive at least sixty votes to secure floor debate and a vote on passage. This threshold vote may prove to be a key obstacle to Senate passage as vocal Senate opposition to S. 1140 exists. Even if the Senate approves the measure and ENS Resources,Inc. 110114-Street,N.W. Washington,D.C.20005 Phone 202.466.3755/TelePex 202,466,3787 reconciles it with the House-passed H.R. 1732,the White House has issued a veto threat on such legislation. It is highly uncertain whether Congress would be able to secure the votes to overturn a veto. If final passage of legislation to void the rule fails,the fallback position appears to be the budget process. The Senate Committee on Appropriations is slated to approve a USEPA fiscal year 2016 budget by mid-June. This budget would reportedly include a mandate to revoke the rulemaking effort. This approach is similar to that contained in the House-passed Energy and Water Development Appropriations fiscal year 2016 budget for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). However,the USACE provision prohibits USACE from implementing any rule. In the case of the anticipated USEPA budget rider, we expect that it will seek to force USEPA to revoke the rule in its entirety. As Congress seeks to address the rulemaking process and its perceived problems,the legislative clock and the Administration's priority to publish the rule swiftly might conspire to prevent a congressional overturn of the rule. In a meeting with USEPA staff we were advised that the final rule might be issued within the next few weeks. If this occurs,then it is unclear whether a budget rider could effect any change. Regardless of these questions,the final rule is unlikely to impose new mandates on wastewater treatment systems.We also anticipate that revisions to the proposed rule will address concerns that the proposal would impose needless permitting conditions on water recycling projects. ENS Resources,Inc. 110114A Street,N.W. Washington,D.C.2000S Phone 202.466.3755/TelePex 202,466,3787 CONTACT: Robert Daguillard daou illard.robertUDeoa.cov (202)564-6618 Moira Kelley Moira.l.kellev.civ(o)mail.mil 703-614-3992 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2015 Clean Water Rule Protects Streams and Wetlands Critical to Public Health, Communities, and Economy Does not create any new permitting requirements and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions Washington—In an historic step for the protection of clean water,the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.Army finalized the Clean Water Rule today to clearly protect from pollution and degradation the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation's water resources. The rule ensures that waters protected under the Clean Water Act are more precisely defined and predictably determined, making permitting less costly, easier, and faster for businesses and industry. The rule is grounded in law and the latest science, and is shaped by public input. The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for agriculture and maintains all previous exemptions and exclusions. "For the water in the rivers and lakes in our communities that flow to our drinking water to be clean,the streams and wetlands that feed them need to be clean too,"said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Protecting our water sources is a critical component of adapting to climate change impacts like drought, sea level rise, stronger storms, and warmer temperatures—which is why EPA and the Army have finalized the Clean Water Rule to protect these important waters, so we can strengthen our economy and provide certainty to American businesses." "Todays rule marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the Clean Water Act,"said Assistant Secretary for the Army(Civil Works)Jo-Ellen Darcy. "This rule responds to the public's demand for greater clarity, consistency, and predictability when making jurisdictional determinations.The result will be better public service nationwide" People need clean water for their health:About 117 million Americans—one in three people—get drinking water from streams that lacked clear protection before the Clean Water Rule.America's cherished way of life depends on clean water, as healthy ecosystems provide wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle, surf, and swim. Clean and reliable water is an economic driver, including for manufacturing,fanning,tourism, recreation, and energy production.The health of our rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters are impacted by the streams and wetlands where they begin. Protection for many of the nation's streams and wetlands has been confusing, complex, and time- consuming as the result of Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. EPA and the Army are taking this action today to provide clarity on protections under the Clean Water Act after receiving requests for over a decade from members of Congress, state and local officials, industry, agriculture, environmental groups, scientists, and the public for a rulemaking. In developing the rule,the agencies held more than 400 meetings with stakeholders across the country, reviewed over one million public comments, and listened carefully to perspectives from all sides. EPA and the Army also utilized the latest science, including a report summarizing more than 1,200 peer-reviewed, published scientific studies which showed that small streams and wetlands play an integral role in the health of larger downstream water bodies. 1 Climate change makes protection of water resources even more essential. Streams and wetlands provide many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies,filtering pollution, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Impacts from climate change like drought,sea level rise, stronger storms, and warmer temperatures threaten the quantity and quality of America's water. Protecting streams and wetlands will improve our nation's resilience to climate change. Specifically,the Clean Water Rule: • Clearly defines and protects tributaries that Impact the health of downstream waters.The Clean Water Act protects navigable waterways and their tributaries. The rule says that a tributary must show physical features of flowing water—a bed, bank, and ordinary high water mark—to warrant protection. The rule provides protection for headwaters that have these features and science shows can have a significant connection to downstream waters. • Provides certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters.The rule protects waters that are next to rivers and lakes and their tributaries because science shows that they impact downstream waters. The rule sets boundaries on covering nearby waters for the first time that are physical and measurable. • Protects the nation's regional water treasures. Science shows that specific water features can function like a system and impact the health of downstream waters. The rule protects prairie potholes, Carolina and Delmarva bays, pocosins, western vernal pools in California, and Texas coastal prairie wetlands when they impact downstream waters. • Focuses on streams, not ditches.The rule limits protection to ditches that are constructed out of streams or function like streams and can carry pollution downstream. So ditches that are not constructed in streams and that flow only when it rains are not covered. • Maintains the status of waters within Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.The rule does not change how those waters are treated and encourages the use of green infrastructure. • Reduces the use of case-specific analysis of waters. Previously, almost any water could be put through a lengthy case-specific analysis, even if it would not be subject to the Clean Water Act.The rule significantly limits the use of case-specific analysis by creating clarity and certainty on protected waters and limiting the number of similarly situated water features. A Clean Water Act permit is only needed if a water is going to be polluted or destroyed. The Clean Water Rule only protects the types of waters that have historically been covered under the Clean Water Act. It does not regulate most ditches and does not regulate groundwater,shallow subsurface flows,or tile drains. It does not make changes to current policies on irrigation or water transfers or apply to erosion in a field. The Clean Water Rule addresses the pollution and destruction of waterways—not land use or private property rights. The rule protects clean water necessary for farming, ranching, and forestry and provides greater clarity and certainty to farmers about coverage of the Clean Water Act. Farms across America depend on clean and reliable water for livestock, crops, and irrigation.The final rule specifically recognizes the vital role that U.S. agriculture serves in providing food, fuel,and fiber at home and around the world.The rule does not create any new permitting requirements for America's fanners.Activities like planting, harvesting, and moving livestock have long been exempt from Clean Water Act regulation, and the Clean Water Rule preserves those exemptions. The Clean Water Rule will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. More information: www.eoa.cov/cleanwaterrule 2 CLEAN WATER RULE WHY CLEAN WATER 15 IMPORTANT Clean water is vital to our health,communities,and economy.We need clean water upstream to have healthy communities downstream.The health of rivers, lakes, bays,and coastal waters depend on the streams and wetlands where they begin.Streams and wetlands provide many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters,recharging groundwater supplies,filtering pollution,and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. People depend on clean water for their health:About 117 million Americans--one in three people—get drinking water from streams that were vulnerable to pollution before the Clean Water Rule.Our cherished way of life depends on clean water:healthy ecosystems provide wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle,surf, and swim. Our economy depends on clean water: manufacturing,farming,tourism,recreation,energy production,and other economic sectors need clean water to function and flourish. WHAT IS THE CLEAN WATER RULE Protection for about 60 percent of the nation's streams and The Clean Water Act millions of acres of wetlands has been confusing and complex as the result of Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. The Clean protects the nation's Water Rule protects streams and wetlands that are scientifically waters. A Clean Water Act shown to have the greatest impact on downstream water quality permit is only needed if and form the foundation of our nation's water resources. EPA and the U.S.Army are ensuring that waters protected under the Clean these water are going to Water Act are more precisely defined, more predictable, easier for be polluted or destroyed. businesses and industry to understand,and consistent with the law and the latest science. The Clean Water Rule: • Clearly defines and protects tributaries that impact the health of downstream waters.The Clean Water Act protects navigable waterways and their tributaries.The rule says that a tributary must show physical features of flowing water—a bed, bank,and ordinary high water mark—to warrant protection.The rule provides protection for headwaters that have these features and science shows can have a significant connection to downstream waters. • Provides certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters.The rule protects waters that are next to rivers and lakes and their tributaries because science shows that they impact downstream waters.The rule sets boundaries on covering nearby waters for the first time that are physical and measurable. • Protects the nation's regional water treasures.Science shows that specific water features can function like a system and impact the health of downstream waters.The rule protects prairie potholes,Carolina and Delmarva bays,pocosins,western vernal pools in California,and Texas coastal prairie wetlands when they impact downstream waters. • Focuses on streams,not ditches.The rule limits protection to ditches that are constructed out of streams or function like streams and can carry pollution downstream.So ditches that are not constructed in streams and that flow only when it rains are not covered. • Maintains the status of waters within Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.The rule does not change how those waters are treated and encourages the use of green infrastructure. www.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule Clear Protection for Clean Water • Reduces the use of case-specific analysis of waters. Previously,almost any water could be put through a lengthy case-specific analysis, even if it would not be subject to the Clean Water Act. The rule significantly limits the use of case-specific analysis by creating clarity and certainty on protected waters and limiting the number of similarly situated water features. The rule protects clean water without getting in the way of farming,ranching,and forestry. Farms across America depend on clean and reliable water for livestock,crops,and irrigation.Activities like planting, harvesting,and moving livestock have long been exempt from Clean Water Act regulation,and the Clean Water Rule doesn't change that.The Clean Water Rule provides greater clarity and certainty to farmers and does not add any new requirements or economic burden on agriculture. The rule only protects waters that have historically been covered by the Clean Water Act. It does not interfere with or change private property rights,or address land use. It does not regulate most ditches or regulate groundwater,shallow subsurface flows or tile drains. It does not change policy on irrigation or water transfers. It does not apply to rills,gullies,or erosional features. Subject Old Rule Proposed Rule Final Rule Navigable Waters Jurisdictional Same Same Interstate Waters Jurisdictional Same Same Territorial Seas Jurisdictional Same Same Impoundments Jurisdictional Same Same Tributaries to the Did not define tributary Defined tributary for the Same as proposal except Traditionally first time as water features wetlands and open waters Navigable Waters with bed, banks and without beds,banks and high ordinary high water mark, water marks will be evaluated and flow downstream. for adjacent . Adjacent Included wetlands Included all waters Includes waters adjacent to Wetlands/Watem adjacent to traditional adjacent to jurisdictional jurisdictional waters within navigable waters, waters,including waters in minimum of 100 feet and interstate waters,the riparian area or floodplain, within the 100-yearfloodplain territorial seas, or with surface or shallow to a maximum of 1,500 feet of impoundments or subsurface connection to the ordinary high water mark. tributaries. jurisdictional waters. Isolated or"Other" Included all other waters Included"other waters" Includes specific waters that Waters the use,degradation or where there was a are similady situated: Prairie destruction of which significant nexus to potholes, Carolina&Delmarva could affect interstate or traditionally navigable bays, pocosins, western foreign commerce. water, interstate water or vernal pools in California,& territorial sea. Texas coastal prairie wetlands when they have a significant nexus. Includes waters with a significant nexus within the 1 00-year floodplain of traditional navigable water, interstate water,or the territorial seas,as well as waters with a significant nexus within 4,000 feet of jurisdictional waters. Exclusions to the Excluded waste Categorically excluded Includes proposed rule tlefinition of treatment systems and those in old rule and added exclusions,expands exclusion "Waters of the prior converted cropland. two types of ditches, for ditches,and also excludes U.S." groundwater,gullies, rills constructed components for and non-wetland swales. MS4s and water delivery/reuse and erosional features. www.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule Clear Protection for Clean Water The Clean Water Rule for: ,,. AGRICULTURE - - WHY CLEAN WATER IS IMPORTANT Clean water is vital to our health,communities,and economy.We need clean water upstream to have healthy communities downstream,and the health of rivers,lakes, bays,and coastal waters depend on the streams and wetlands where they begin.Streams and wetlands provide many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies,filtering pollution,and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Farms across America depend on clean, reliable water for livestock, crops,and irrigation.This rule protects water sources without getting in the way of farming, ranching,and forestry. Protection for the nation's streams and wetlands has been confusing and complex since Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. So The Clean Water Act EPA and the U.S.Army are finalizing a rule to protect the streams protects the nation's and wetlands that are scientifically shown to have the greatest impact on downstream water quality and form the foundation of our waters. A Clean Water nation's water resources. Act permit is only EPA and the Army are making the process of identifying waters needed if these water protected under the Clean Water Act easier to understand, more are going to be polluted predictable,and consistent with the law and the latest science. The Clean Water Rule will provide greater clarity and certainty to or destroyed. farmers,will not create any new permitting requirements,and will not add economic burden on agriculture. Normal farming and ranching—including planting, harvesting,and moving livestock—have long been exempt from Clean Water Act regulation,and the Clean Water Rule doesn't change that.The final rule specifically recognizes the vital role that agriculture serves in providing food,fuel, and fiber for the United States and the world. INPUT SHAPED THE CLEAN WATER RULE In developing the rule, EPA and the Army listened carefully to input from the agriculture community,the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state Departments of Agriculture.Agriculture groups raised important questions about what it means for waters to be "covered" under the Clean Water Act. The Act requires a permit if a protected water is going to be polluted or destroyed, however, agricultural activities like planting, harvesting,and moving livestock across a stream have long been excluded from permitting, and that won't change under the rule. In other words,farmers and ranchers won't need o permit for normal agricultural activities that happen in and around those waters. After releasing the proposed rule last year,the agencies held more than 400 meetings with stakeholders across the country to provide information, hear concerns,and answer questions. EPA officials visited farms in Arizona,Colorado, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York,Pennsylvania,Texas,and Vermont.The 207-day public comment period on the proposed rule resulted in more than one million comments.All of this public input helped to shape the final Clean Water Rule. www.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule Clear Protection for Clean Water Feedback from the agricultural community led to several improvements in the final Clean Water Rule. • Defining tributaries more clearly. The rule is precise about the streams being protected so that it could not be interpreted to pick up erosion in a farmer's field.The rule says a tributary must show physical features of flowing water—a bed,bank,and ordinary high water mark—to warrant protection. • Providing certainty in how far safeguards extend to nearby waters.The rule sets limits on covering nearby waters that for the first time are physical and measurable. • Focusing on streams, not ditches.The rule limits protection to ditches that are constructed out of streams or function like streams and can carry pollution downstream.So ditches that are not constructed in streams and that flow only when it rains are not covered. THE RULE DOES: Preserve agricultural exemptions from permitting,including: • Normal farming,silviculture, and ranching practices.Those activities include plowing, seeding, cultivating, minor drainage, and harvesting for production of food,fiber,and forest products. • Soil and water conservation practices in dry land. • Agricultural stormwater discharges. • Return flows from irrigated agriculture. • Construction and maintenance of farm or stock ponds or irrigation ditches on dry land. • Maintenance of drainage ditches. • Construction or maintenance of farm,forest,and temporary mining roads. • Ensure fields flooded for rice are exempt and can be used for water storage and bird habitat. THE RULE ALSO DOES: Preserve and expand common sense exclusions from jurisdiction, including: • Prior converted croplands. • Waste treatment systems(including treatment ponds or lagoons). • Artificially irrigated areas that are otherwise dry land. • Artificial lakes or ponds constructed in dry land and used for purposes like rice growing,stock watering,aesthetics,or irrigation. • Water-filled depressions created as a result of construction activity. • Pits excavated in dry land for fill, sand,or gravel. • Grass swales. THE RULE DOES NOT: • Protect any types of waters that have not historically been covered by the Clean Water Act. • Add any new requirements for agriculture. • Interfere with or change private property rights. • Regulate most ditches. • Change policy on irrigation or watertransfers. • Address land use. • Cover erosional features such as gullies, rills and non-wetland swales. • Include groundwater,shallow subsurface flow and tile drains. MORE INFORMATION:WWW.EPA.GOWCLEANWATERRULE &WWW.ARMY.MIL/ASACW www.epa.gov/cleanwaterrule Clear Protection for Clean Water TOWNS END PUBLIC AFFAIRS — TPA �9ea To: Orange County Sanitation District From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Date: June 8, 2015 Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report State Political Update May 15 brought the latest legislative deadline requiring all non-fiscal bills to have passed out of their policy committees. Last year at this time, 285 bills marked as non-fiscal were marked as dead after this deadline. This year, 326 non-fiscal bills were marked as two year bills that cannot be heard again until next year. There are 657 fiscal bills that are facing the May 28 deadline to make it out of the appropriations committee to remain active for this year. Following this deadline, all bills will need to move out of their house of origin by June 5. On May 14, the Governor released his May Revise of the proposed State Budget for 2015- 16. As anticipated, the May Revise included considerably more revenue than the original January Budget, due to a growing economy and strong revenue numbers. The May Revise included $6.7 billion in additional expenditures over the original January budget proposal. The vast majority of the new revenue, $5.5 billion, will go towards K-14 and higher education, largely due to the provisions of Proposition 98. Additional revenues will go towards the State's Rainy Day Fund (approximately $633 million), paying down state debts and liabilities ($633 million), one-time drought funding ($2.2 billion), and establishing a state-level earned income tax credit($380 million)to assist low-income Californians. Below are more specifics on items related to water and natural resources that were contained within the May Revise. The May Revise Drought Funding Since the Governor first declared a state of drought emergency in January, 2014, the Administration and the Legislature have appropriated approximately $1.9 billion to assist drought-impacted communities and to provide additional resources for water infrastructure projects. The May Revise includes an additional $2.2 billion in one-time funding in response to the ongoing drought conditions in California. Southern California Office•1401 Dove Street-Suite 330•Newport Beach,CA 92660-Phone(949)399-9050-Fax(949)47"215 State Capitol Office•925 L Street•Suite 1404•Sacramento,CA 95814•Phone(916)447-4086•Fax(916)444-0383 Federal Office•600 Pennsylvania SE•Suite 207•Washington,DC 20003-Phone(202)54"696-Fax(202)5464555 Northern California Office•300 Fronk Ogawe Plam•Suite 204-Oakland,CA 94612•Phone(510)835-9050•Fax(510)835-9030 ❑ Makes $1.7 billion available over the next three years for the State Water Resources Control Board from Proposition 1 for the following programs: o $784 million in Groundwater Contamination funding o $475 million in Water Recycling and advanced water treatment projects o $180 million in Safe Drinking Water funding for disadvantaged communities o $160 million in Wastewater Treatment Projects for small communities o $100 million in Stormwater Management funds ❑ Makes $110 million available to Department of Water Resources for the following purposes: o $60 million for groundwater sustainability planning efforts o $50 million (over the next two years) to assist in the development of local water supplies through desalination projects ❑ Makes $245 million available for implementation of water conservation efforts: o $43 million to implement consumer rebate programs for replacement of inefficient appliances, as contained in the Governor's Executive Order o $30 million to implement the Water Energy Technology Program, as contained in the Governor's Executive Order o $27 million to replace lawns in underserved communities, as contained in the Governor's Executive Order o $20 million for DWR Water Energy Grant Program to reduce energy demand through water use efficiency and conservation o $10 million to create the CalConserve revolving loan program for homeowners and businesses to undertake water efficiency upgrades The May Revise also provides enhanced local enforcement authority. The May Revise proposes legislation to provide local water suppliers (wholesale and retail water agencies, as well as city and county governments) with enforcement authority for local and state level water restrictions. Any monetary penalties collected would need to go for local conservation efforts. Local Mandate Payments The May Revise contains a trigger mechanism for repayment of outstanding state mandate claims. Under the current revenue estimates contained in the May Revise, the outstanding mandate trigger would be met and the stale would repay $765 million in outstanding pre-2004 mandate claims (would fully satisfy all outstanding pre-2004 claims), which is a $232 million increase over the amount proposed in the January Budget. Of the $765 million, approximately 77 percent would go to counties, 22 percent would go to cities, and 1 percent would go to special districts. Over the coming weeks, the Legislature will conduct numerous hearings to consider the proposals contained in the Governor's May Revise, as well as incorporate many of their own priorities. These hearings will occur in rapid succession as the Legislature needs to approve the final state budget in just over one month, by June 15". ® June 2015 Report 2 Proposition 84 Round 3 Funding Integrated Regional Water Management Beginning in January of 2015, TPA has been attending and tracking the development of the final round of Proposition 84 funding for the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program, administered by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). The call for projects for the final round of funding opened on April 21, with $60 million available for projects. This is the largest funding allocation for Proposition 84 IRWM projects, and no cap has been placed on applications. The call for project window closed Wednesday, May 27 at 5:00 PM. The short call for projects window is the result of an accelerated timeline from DWR to finish allocating funds from Proposition 84 in order to make room for incoming funding from Proposition 1. Once project applications have been submitted to SAWPA, they will be considered by a project review committee (PRC), who will make a recommendation on inclusion for the SAWPA application to DWR. DWR is expected to share their draft award recommendations in November, and award announcement are expected in December 2015. TPA worked with staff and submitted an application for funding of project 2-72, the Newhope- Placentia Trunk Replacement. This project will widen approximately 38,000 feet of pipe to provide the required capacity for current and future sewer flows. Existing flows that exceeded the pipes capacity were being diverted into the Santa Ana River Interceptor Line (SARI)which is non-reclaimable to the Ground Water Replenishment System (GWRS). By increasing the capacity of the pipes, 8 million gallons a day of water will now be redirected to OCSD's Plant 1 and then deposited in the groundwater basin by the GWRS. OCSD's goal is 100 percent recycling of all water that comes into Plant 1, and eventually Plant 2, to then be sent to GWRS. TPA did the following: • Worked closely with staff to write and submit the IRWM application • Coordinated with Department of Water Resources to ensure correct information was used • Actively followed SAWPA's accelerated timeline to ensure project completeness • Attended SAWPA Integration and Pillars workshops as well as Steering Committee meetings to better understand the application and its process • Going forward TPA will work to schedule briefings with SAWPA Steering Committee members to educate them on the project Legislation AB 327(Gordon) Public Works., Volunteers(OCSD Supports) Assembly Member Gordon's bill, AB 327, extends the sunset date on public works exemption for specified "volunteers" and other related individuals. Existing law defines "public works," for purposes of regulating public works contracts, as, among other things, construction, alteration, demolition, installation, or repair work that is performed under contract and paid for in whole or in part out of public funds. Pursuant to existing law, all workers employed on public works projects are required to be paid not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for ® June 2015 Report 3 work, except as specified. This bill would extend those provisions until January 1, 2024, at which date those provisions would be repealed. There are 146 groups that support this bill, including OCSD. There are also no registered oppositions. It passed on the Assembly floor 78-0 with 2 abstaining. OCSD has submitted a letter of support. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules committee for assignment. AB 888 (Bloom) Waste Management., Plastic Microbeads (OCSD Supports) Assembly Member Bloom's bill, AS 888, bans the use of plastic microbeads in personal care products, which are synthetic additives to products such as facial washes, body scrubs, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste eyeliner, lip gloss, deodorant, and sunscreen sticks. Many, if not most of these products are intended to be flushed down the sink or bath drains. Because of the microbeads small size, which AB 888 defines as less than 5 mm on all sides, they routinely pass through wastewater treatment facilities into the environment, where they present a hazard to habitat and marine life when ingested. With the support of 63 groups mostly composed of environmental and wastewater entities, including the California Association of Sanitation Agengies (CASA), who is a sponsor the bill, AS 888 passed through both its assigned policy committees. The legislation moved unanimously through Assembly Natural Resources on April 13, and Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials on April 28. The bill passed on the Assembly floor 59-12, with 9 abstaining. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules committee for assignment. There are only eight groups registered in opposition to the bill from the manufacturing and retail fields. It is worth noting that large companies such as Unilever, Proctor&Gamble, and Johnson &Johnson have recognized the harm microbeads have on the environment, and previously pledged to phase them out of their products. This phase out period was not uniform among the companies, and in some cases open ended, which this legislation addresses by setting a hard deadline of January 1, 2020. AB 1144 (Rendon) Renewable Portfolio Standard Program (OCSD Supports) Assembly Member Rendon's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program would allow public agencies to finance energy related infrastructure by selling renewable energy credits (REC) generated by methane gas. Some wastewater utilities, such as OCSD, already put methane to use for energy generation within their own facility. However, smaller facilities without the supporting energy infrastructure, under this bill would be able to sell RECs for credits under RPS Category 1, which is the largest category with the most demand for credits. Currently, unbundled RECs are categorized in 'bucket 3' by the Public Utilities Commission, regardless of their source. AS 1144 met the deadline to pass from its policy committees, moving unanimously through both the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce on April 20, and out of Assembly Natural Resources, April 27. It was passed on the Assembly floor with 73-0, with 7 abstaining. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules committee for assignment. The bill is sponsored by CASA, and is supported by nine other groups including Southern California Edison. Only the Utility Reform Network has registered in opposition to the bill. ® June 2015 Report 4 AB 1347(Chiu) Public Contracts: Claims(OCSD Opposed) AB 1347 would establish a claims resolution process for public contracts when public entities and contractors are in dispute concerning a contract of $375,000 or less. The bill applies to public entities at both the state and local level. The bill is meant to address delays of payments to California public works contractors. The legislation is opposed by 30 groups, mostly composed of local governments and special districts have cited that the legislation is redundant as a claims resolution process is already in place under current law. Further, that the timelines established under this bill are not tenable, and that a 10 percent interest rate on late payments is usurious. While the author has made some amendments based on feedback from the opposition, such as extending the period of time public agencies can respond to a claim if they don't have a scheduled meeting where they may take action, none of the groups in opposition have changed their position. Support for the bill has come from the contractor and construction industry. AB 1347 is currently in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File. It needs to pass out of Appropriations by Friday, May 291h. The Appropriations Committee is meeting Thursday, May 28' . If the bill passes out of committee, it will need to pass out of the assembly by the following Friday, June 5'h, which is the House of Origin deadline. SB 119 (Hill), Protection of Subsurface Installations(OCSD Neutral) SB 119, which would make several changes to the laws governing subsurface excavations. Among the changes of concern for the District, was the initial removal of the marking exemption for non-pressurized pipes, such as sewer laterals, from existing law. This exemption has subsequently been reinserted into SB 119. The impetus for the bill has been the ongoing damage to subsurface infrastructure caused by irresponsible excavation practices that has resulted in injury and death to excavation team members, such as the San Bruno pipeline explosion from 2013. Following a recent gas line explosion in Fresno on April 20, Senator Hill's office sent out an update informing the working group of the incident. While the explosion was caused by excavation related activity, it was determined that no call was made to 811, and has not negatively impacted the non-pressurized line exemption re-inserted in the legislation. The legislation has gone through two rounds of amendments based on feedback from the stakeholder input process. Among the most recent amendments was clarifying language added to address the responsibility of subsurface installations during a change in ownership, and the removal of language that limited excavator responsibility for damage to traffic loops if struck, as well as a number of other technical fixes. SB 119 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Suspense File. It needs to pass out of Appropriations by Friday, May 29'h. The Committee on Appropriations is meeting Thursday, May 28' . If the bill passes out of committee, it will need to pass out of the assembly by the following Friday, June Wh. ® June 2015 Report 5 SB 355 (Lara) San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.(OCSD Opposed Unless Amended) SB 355, which removes one of Orange County's two voting seats on the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), and adds seats in the Los Angeles area, has moved to the Assembly after passing off the Senate floor, 24 to 12 with 3 abstentions. Those Senators voting against the legislation include the Orange County delegation: Senator Nguyen, Senator Moorlach, Senator Huff, and Senator Bates, as well as Senator Anderson, Senator Berryhill, Senator Cannella, Senator Fuller, Senator Gaines, Senator Morrell, Senator Neilson, and Senator Stone. Both Senators Fuller and Stone voted also against the legislation when it was in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The vote on the Senate floor fell strictly down party lines, with support for the measure coming from Democrats, and opposition from Republicans. Given the legislation adds more seats to the Democratic leaning Los Angeles area, at the same time removing a seat from the Republican leaning Orange County area, the party divide is unsurprising. Attached to this report is the fact sheet on SB 355 from Senator Lara's office. SB 355 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on May 14, 2015. TPA is in discussion with interim Clerk of the Board for Orange County, Robin Steiler, regarding the nomination and confirmation process to the RMC seat. The initial nomination for the second RMC seat occurred prior to the transition of the City Selection Committee to county oversight. Two nominees sent to the Governor for consideration, include Fullerton Council Member Jennifer Fitzgerald, and Placentia Council Member Scott Nelson. Because no nominee has been confirmed by the Governor's office, the Clerk is determining what next steps are available to move the process forward, including re-opening the nomination process, supporting the current nominees, or other potential options. ® June 2015 Report 6 Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, May 27, 2015 AB 83 (Gatto D) Information Practices Act of 1977. Current Text: Amended: 4/27/2015 otlf ht i Introduced: 1/6/2015 Last Amend: 4/27/2015 Location: 5/21/2015-S. IUD. Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House Conc. Summary: Current law requires a person or business that owns, licenses, or maintains personal information about a California resident to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the nature of the information, to protect the personal information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure. This bill would define "reasonable security procedures and practices" for purposes of these provisions as requiring, at a minimum, security of personal information, including geophysical location information, to the degree that any reasonably prudent business would provide, as specified. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 168 (Maienschein R) Local government finance. Current Text: Introduced: 1/22/2015 >'d< n�mi Introduced: 1/22/2015 Location: 5/15/2015-A. 2 YEAR 2 vearl Policy]Fiscal I Floofteski Policyl Fiscal lFloorl Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Current law requires the county auditor, in the case in which a qualifying city becomes the successor agency to a special district as a result of a merger with that district as described in a specified statute, to additionally allocate to that successor qualifying city that amount of property tax revenue that otherwise would have been allocated to that special district pursuant to general allocation requirements. This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision pertaining to property tax revenue allocations to a qualifying city that merges with a special district. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 199 (Ecigman D) Alternative energy: recycled feedstock. Current Text: Introduced: 1/29/2015 af norm Introduced: 1/29/2015 Location: 5/11/2015-A. REV. &TAX SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Summary: Current law establishes the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority to provide financial assistance for projects that promote the use of alternative energies and authorizes the authority to approve a project for financial assistance in the form of a sales and use tax exclusion. This bill would expand projects eligible for the sales and use tax exclusion to include projects that process or utilize recycled feedstock, but would not include a project that processes or utilizes recycled feedstock in a manner that constitutes disposal. Organization Position OCSD Watch A6 291 (Medina D) California Environmental Quality Act: local agencies: notice of determination: water. Current Text: Amended: 4/23/2015 > f n�mi Introduced: 2/11/2015 Last Amend: 4/23/2015 Location: 5/14/2015-S. E.Q. Deski Policvl Fiscal I Floor Deski Pollcv I Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Would authorize a local agency, for certain water projects, to file the notice with the county clerk of the county in which the local agency's principal office is located and with the Office of Planning and Research, and to mail a copy of the notice to the county clerks of the counties in which the water project is located, as specified. The bill would require the notices to be available for public inspection or posted, as provided. This bill contains other existing laws. Organization Position Page 1/8 OCSD Watch AB 300 (Aleio D) Safe Water and Wildlife Protection Act of 2015. Current Text: Amended: 4/7/2015 r•af htmi Introduced: 2/12/2015 Last Amend: 4/7/2015 Location: 4/22/2015-A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policyl Fiscal Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Con'. Enrolled I Vetoed I Chaptered 1st House I2nd House Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon Adjournment of Session - State Capitol, Room 4202 ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, GOMEZ, Chair Summary: Would enact the Safe Water and Wildlife Protection Act of 2015, which would require the State Water Resources Control Board to establish and coordinate the Algal Bloom Task Force, comprised of specified representatives of state agencies, including the State Coastal Conservancy, in consultation with the Secretary for Environmental Protection, and would prescribe the composition and functions and duties of the task force. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 307 (Mathis R) Graywater: groundwater recharge. Current Text: introduced: 2/12/2015 otlf ht.i Introduced: 2/12/2015 Location: 5/15/2015-A. 2 YEAR 2 vearl Pollcvl Fiscal I FloorlDeski Policyl Fiscal lFloor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to explicitly permit the usage of residential, commercial, and industrial graywater for the recharge of a groundwater basin or aquifer. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 308 (Mathis R) Graywater: agricultural use. Current Text: Introduced: 2/12/2015 otlf htmi Introduced: 2/12/2015 Location: 5/15/2015-A. 2 YEAR 2 vearl Pollcvl Fiscal I FloorlDeski Policyl Fiscal lFloorl Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Summary: Would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to explicitly permit incorporated and unincorporated communities to sell graywater for agricultural purposes and agriculture to use graywater for agricultural purposes. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 311 (Gallagher R) Environmental quality: Water Quality,Supply,and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. Current Text: Amended: 4/15/2015 z htmi Introduced: 2/12/2015 Last Amend: 4/15/2015 Location: 5/1/2015-A. 2 YEAR Deski 2 vearl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal lFloorl Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I2nd House Conc. Summary: Would require a public agency, in certifying an environmental Impact report and In granting approvals for specified water storage projects funded, in whole or in part, by Proposition 1, to comply with specified procedures. Because a public agency would be required to comply with those new procedures, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would authorize the public agency to concurrently prepare the record of proceedings for the project. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 327 (Gordon D) Public works:volunteers. Current Text: Amended: 4/30/2015 pa mmi Introduced: 2/13/2015 Last Amend: 4/30/2015 Page 2/8 Location: 5/14/2015-S. RLS. Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: All workers employed on public works projects are required to be paid not less than the general prevailing rate of per diem wages for work, except as specified. Current law governing public works does not apply to specified work performed by a volunteer, a volunteer coordinator, or a member of the California Conservation Corps or a community conservation corps. These provisions are effective only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date are repealed. This bill would extend those provisions until January 1, 2024, at which date those provisions would be repealed. The bill would also delete an obsolete provision. This bill contains other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Support AB 356 (Williams D) Oil and gas:groundwater monitoring. Current Text: Amended: 5/5/2015 zdf ntmi Introduced: 2/17/2015 Last Amend: 5/5/2015 Location: 5/20/2015-A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon Adjournment of Session - State Capitol, Room 4202 ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, GOMEZ, Chair Summary: Would authorize the State Oil and Gas Supervisor to require a well operator to implement a monitoring program for belowground oil production tanks and facilities, and disposal and injection wells,. Because a failure to comply with this requirement would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 434 (Garcia. Eduardo D) Drinking water: point-of-entry and point-of-use treatment. Current Text: Amended: 4/6/2015 air htm Introduced: 2/19/2015 Last Amend: 4/6/2015 Location: 5/14/2015-S. E.Q. Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: State Water Resources Control Board to adopt regulations, similar to those previously authorized for adoption by the State Department of Public Health, governing the use of point-of-entry and point-of-use treatment by a public water system in lieu of centralized treatment where it can be demonstrated that centralized treatment is not immediately economically feasible, with specified limitations. The bill would exempt the regulations from the Administrative Procedure Act and would require that the regulations and any amendments to the regulations remain in effect until revised by the state board. This bill would also prohibit the use of point-of-entry treatment absent the state board determination of no community opposition, and would delete the limitation on the duration of these permits. This bill contains other related provisions. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 478 (Harper R) Desalination. Current Text: Introduced: 2/23/2015 �df ntmi Introduced: 2/23/2015 Location: 5/15/2015-A. 2 YEAR 2 year I Policyl Fiscal I Floor Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Current law provides that is it the intention of the Legislature that the Department of Water Resources shall undertake to find economic and efficient methods of desalting saline water so that desalted water may be made available to help meet the growing water requirements of the state. This bill would make a nonsubstantive change in these provisions. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 888 (Bloom D) Waste management: plastic microbeads. Current Text: Amended: 4/22/2015 odf mmi Page3/8 Introduced: 2/26/2015 Last Amend: 4/22/2015 Location: 5/22/2015-S. RLS. Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Would prohibit, on and after January 1, 2020, a person, as defined, from selling or offering for promotional purposes in this state a personal care product containing plastic microbeads that are used to exfoliate or cleanse in a rinse-off product , as specified. The bill would exempt from those prohibitions the sale or promotional offer of a product containing less than 1 part per million (ppm) by weight of plastic microbeads, as provided. This bill contains other related provisions. Organization Position OCSD Support AB 954 (Mathis R) Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Pilot Program. Current Text: Amended: 5/5/2015 r'd< himl Introduced: 2/26/2015 Last Amend: 5/5/2015 Location: 5/20/2015-A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon Adjournment of Session - State Capitol, Room 4202 ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, GOMEZ, Chair Summary: Would require the State Water Resources Control Board to establish a pilot program to provide low-interest loans and grants to local agencies for low-interest loans and grants to eligible applicants for specified purposes relating to drinking water and wastewater treatment. This bill would prohibit the board from issuing these loans or grants on or after January 1, 2026. This bill would create the Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Fund and provide that the moneys in this fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the board for expenditure for the pilot program. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 957 (Mathis R) Water Quality,Supply,and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. Current Text: Amended: 3/26/2015 odf ht.i Introduced: 2/26/2015 Last Amend: 3/26/2015 Location: 5/1/2015-A. 2 YEAR Deski 2 vearl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal lFloor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House Conc. Summary:The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 requires specified water recycling and advanced treatment technology projects to be selected on a competitive basis, considering specified criteria, Including, among other criteria, water supply reliability Improvement and public health benefits from improved drinking water quality or supply. This bill would include in the water supply reliability improvement criterion whether the project is proposed by a community that is heavily dependent on groundwater from a basin in overdraft, and would include in the public health benefits criterion whether the project is proposed by a community that has extended, or is in the process of extending, its water service delivery to entities reliant on either contaminated groundwater or groundwater wells that have run dry. Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 1077 (Holden D) Mutual water companies: open meetings. Current Text: Amended: 5/18/2015 r'dt htm Introduced: 2/27/2015 Last Amend: 5/18/2015 Location: 5/22/2015-S. RLS. Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Summary: Would prohibit a mutual water company from meeting solely in an executive session without holding a meeting. The bill would require notice of a meeting to be given to an eligible person at least 4 days prior to the meetings. The bill would require a board of directors of a mutual water company to allow an eligible person to personally attend a meeting of the board, if the eligible person gave the board at least 24 hours advance written notice of his or her intent to personally attend the meeting. Page 4/8 Organization Position OCSD Watch AB 1144 (Rendon D) California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program: unbundled renewable energy credits. Current Text: Amended: 4/14/2015 91g_ mmi Introduced: 2/27/2015 Last Amend: 4/14/2015 Location: 5/22/2015-S. RLS. Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Cha ptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Would, under the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program, provide that unbundled renewable energy credits may be used to meet the first category of the portfolio content requirements if among other things that the credits are earned by electricity that is generated by an entity that, if It were a person or corporation, would be excluded from the definition of an electrical corporation by operation of the exclusions for a corporation or person employing landfill gas technology or digester gas technology. This bill contains other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Support AB 1347 (Chiu D) Public contracts: claims. Current Text: Amended: 4/21/2015 t n�mi Introduced: 2/27/2015 Last Amend: 4/21/2015 Location: 5/20/2015-A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House I Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon Adjournment of Session - State Capitol, Room 4202 ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, GOMEZ, Chair Summary: Would establish, for contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2016, a claim resolution process applicable to all public entity contracts. The bill would define a claim as a separate demand by the contractor for one or more of: a time extension for relief from damages or penalties for delay, payment of money or damages arising from work done pursuant to the contract for a public work, or payment of an amount disputed by the local agency, as specified. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Oppose AB 1454 (Wagne R) Water quality standards: trash: single-use carryout bags. Current Text: Amended: 4/20/2015 t n�mi Introduced: 2/27/2015 Last Amend: 4/20/2015 Location: 5/1/2015-A. 2 YEAR Deski 2 vearl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal lFloor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House Conc. Summary: Would suspend the operation of certain amendments to water quality control plans relating to the total maximum daily load for trash unless and until the provisions inoperative due to a pending referendum election become effective. This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board to revisit and revise water quality control plans to address impaired water quality due to trash if the law pending referendum is defeated at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 119 (Hill D) Protection of subsurface Installations. Current Text: Amended: 5/12/2015 gat htmi Introduced: 1/14/2015 Last Amend: 5/12/2015 Location: 5/26/2015-S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon adjournment of Floor Session SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, LARA, Chair Summary: Would require the Contractors' State License Board to adopt a program to enforce Page 5/8 violations of provisions relating to excavation. The bill would authorize the board to require a contractor to undergo training, levy a fine, and suspend a contractor's license for a violation. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Oppose Unless Amended SB 122 (lackson D) California Environmental Quality Act: record of proceedings. Current Text: Amended: 4/20/2015 �f htmi Introduced: 1/15/2015 Last Amend: 4/20/2015 Location: 5/4/2015-S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor 1 Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled I Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon adjournment of Floor Session SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, LARA, Chair Summary: CEQA establishes a procedure for the preparation and certification of the record of proceedings upon the filing of an action or proceeding challenging a lead agency's action on the grounds of noncompliance with CEQA. This bill would require the lead agency, at the request of a project applicant and consent of the lead agency, to prepare a record of proceedings concurrently with the preparation of a negative declaration, mitigated negative declaration, EIR, or other environmental document for projects. This bill contains other related provisions. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 127 (Vidak R) Environmental quality: Water Quality,Supply,and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. Current Text: Introduced: 1/20/2015 �f htmi Introduced: 1/20/2015 Location: 5/1/2015-S. 2 YEAR Deski 2 yearl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal lFloor Cord. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House Conc. Summary: CEQA establishes a procedure by which a person may seek judicial review of the decision of the lead agency made pursuant to CEQA and a procedure for the preparation and certification of the record of proceedings upon the filing of an action or proceeding challenging a lead agency's action on the grounds of noncompliance with CEQA. This bill would require the public agency, in certifying the environmental impact report and in granting approvals for projects funded, in whole or in part, by Proposition 1, including the concurrent preparation of the record of proceedings and the certification of the record of proceeding within 5 days of the filing of a specified notice, to comply with specified procedures. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 184 (Committee on Governance and Finance) Local government: omnibus bill. Current Text: Amended: 4/16/2015 otlf ht.i Introduced: 2/9/2015 Last Amend: 4/16/2015 Location: 5/18/2015-A. DESK Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House I Conc. Summary: Current law requires the legislative body of a local entity to annually file with the auditor a list of lots or parcels of land subject to specified fees or charges for water, sanitation, storm drainage, or sewerage system services and facilities and the amounts of the installments of the fees or charges to be entered against the affected lots or parcels of land. Current law requires the auditor to enter on the assessment roll the amounts of installments of these fees or charges. Current law defines the auditor, for the purposes of these provisions, as the financial officer of the local entity. This bill would clarify that the above-described provisions relating to the authority and duties of the auditor apply only to the county auditor. This bill makes changes to the duties and processes of the County Recorder.The bill would also make changes to the Subdivision Map Act and the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act. This bill contains other related provisions. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 208 (Lars, D) Integrated regional water management plans: grants: advanced payment. Page 6/8 Current Text: Introduced: 2/11/2015 zv htmi Introduced: 2/11/2015 Location: 4/27/2015-S. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Deski Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House I 2nd House I Conc. Calendar: 5/28/2015 Upon adjournment of Floor Session SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUSPENSE, LARA, Chair Summary: Would require a regional water management group, within 90 days of notice that a grant has been awarded, to provide the state entity administering the grant with a list of projects to be funded by the grant funds where the project proponent is a nonprofit organization, as defined, or a disadvantaged community, as defined, or the project benefits a disadvantaged community. This bill contains other existing laws. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 226 (Pavia D) Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: groundwater rights. Current Text: Amended: 5/5/2015 p , himi Introduced: 2/13/2015 Last Amend: 5/5/2015 Location: 5/26/2015-A. DESK Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floorl Deski Policvl Fiscal Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Summary:The bill would provide that a court shall use the Code of Civil Procedure for determining rights to groundwater, except as provided by the special procedures established in the bill. This bill would require the process for determining rights to groundwater to be available to any court of competent jurisdiction. The bill would provide that it applies to Indian tribes and the federal government . The bill would require the boundaries of a basin to be as identified in Bulletin 118, unless other basin boundaries are established, as specified. This bill contains other existing laws and other provisions. Organization Position OCSD Watch SB 355 (Lara D) San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Current Text: Amended: 4/6/2015 �dr htmi Introduced: 2/24/2015 Last Amend: 4/6/2015 Location: 5/14/2015-A. NAT. RES. Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Desk I Policy Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled Vetoed Chaptered 1st House 2nd House Conc. Summary: Would require that only one member of the Orange County Division of the League of California Cities be a voting member of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and would require that a resident of a city , not otherwise represented on the board at the time of the appointment and bordering the Lower Los Angeles River, be appointed by the Governor, as prescribed, as a voting member. The bill would also increase the number of nonvoting members to 9, and would require that one Member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one Member of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, serve as those nonvoting members. The bill would require that those legislators serving as nonvoting members represent a district that is at least partially contained within the territory of the conservancy and participate in activities of the conservancy only to the extent that participation is compatible with his or her duties as a legislator. Organization Position OCSD Oppose SB 365 (Hues o D) Primary drinking water standards: hexavalent chromium: compliance plan. Current Text: Amended: 5/19/2015 paf n�mi Introduced: 2/24/2015 Last Amend: 5/19/2015 Location: 5/27/2015-S. THIRD READING Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Deski Policyl Fiscal I Floor Conf. Enrolled I Vetoed I Chaptered 1st House I2nd House Conc. Calendar: 5/27/2015 #3 SENATE SENATE BILLS-SECOND READING FILE Summary: Would authorize, until January 1, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board, at the request of a public water system that prepares and submits a compliance plan to the state board, to grant a period of time to achieve compliance with the primary drinking water standard for hexavalent Page 7/8 chromium by approving the compliance plan, as prescribed. This bill would require a public water system to provide specified notice regarding the compliance plan to its customers and the public water system to send written status reports to the state board. Organization Position OCSD Watch Total Measures: 27 Total Tracking Forms: 27 Page 8/8 MD's Grant Funding Tracker Name of Grant Synopsis of Grant Amount of Grant Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Deadline The P2 grant program supports grants and/or cooperative agreements that provide pollution We do not fit within the guidelines of the grant. It EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) prevention technical assistance services or training to In fiscal year 2015,EPA anticipates approximately$3.97 states that the grant will be given to"state businesses. Funded projects use P2 techniques that million will be available under this program. governments,colleges and universities(recognized reduce and/or eliminate pollution from air,water and/or as instrumentalities of the state),federally- land. No C4P recognized tribes and intertribal consortia'. 5/14/2015 The program promotes projects that"encourage the development and use of safer alternatives to The SRA funds projects that address: (1)climate change hazardous chemicals",and references EPA and DTSC mitigation/prevention of greenhouse gas emission by priority lists. The program guidelines describe EPA hasi total of$1.2 million to award in SRA grants EPA Source Reduction Assistance(SRA) providing technical assistance to businesses; (2)food hazardous materials as chemical ingredients, paints, manufacturing; and 3 State or community approaches nationwide in FV 2015. g' ( ) ty PP solvents and pesticides on land and hazardous to hazardous materials source reduction. wastes. The guidelines give examples like assisting business to improve material practices that reduce the risk of release of hazardous chemicals during a No I C4P storm. 5/28/2015 Integrated Regional Water Management Funding: $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds for water and Designed to encourage integrated regional strategies for flood control projects.$60 million for the Santa Ana Prop 84 management of water resources and to provide funding Region. for implementation projects that support integrated water management. Yes Projects include: 2-72 Appyling for the grant Spring 2015 The Drought Response Program is funded under the U.S. Total program fuding$3 million. Award ceiling Department of the Interior's(Interior)WaterSMART $300,000.00 (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Program.The Drought Response Program supports a proactive approach to drought by providing assistance to water users to(1)develop and update comprehensive drought contingency plans Drought Contingency Plans, Water Smart Drought Resiliency (2)implement projects that will build long-term resiliency to drought(Drought Resiliency Projects),and (3) implement emergency response actions.This Funding Opportunity Announcement(FDA)supports Drought Resiliency Projects that will build long-term resiliency to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions. TBD Projects include: 2-72 We are looking at applying for this grant. 6/25/2015 State Water Resources Control Board provides funding Authorize$7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for Pr for the planning,design and construction of water state water supply infrastructure projects.$725 million recycling projects that offset or augment state fresh for water recycling and advanced water treatment water supplies. technology projects. Yes SP-173 We are looking at applying for this grant. Fall/Winter 2015 Updated: Monday, May 26,2015 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS MEETING Meeting Date 06/08/15 AGENDA REPORT Item Number 4 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY— UTILITY BRANDING GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Approve the Communication Strategy for OCSD Utility Branding as part of the General Manager's Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Work Plan. SUMMARY As part of the General Manager's Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Work Plan, staff had preliminary discussions with the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee (La PA)where direction was given to prepare a communication strategy for the Committee's consideration. A utility branding consultant was hired through the National Water Research Institute/Utility Branding Network to work with staff on the plan. The consultant held internal staff focus group meetings and received feedback from OCSD's Executive Management Team (EMT). Based on information gathered from these meetings, staff has developed a plan of action that will be presented to the LaPA Committee. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS March 2015 Approval of the Public Affairs Strategic Plan with the proposal for Utility Branding efforts September 2014 Approval of the GM Work Plan for FY 2014-2015 August 2014 Proposed GM Work Plan for FY 2014-2015 presented May 12, 2014 Informational Item regarding OCSD's Corporate Identity was presented to the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee for discussion. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION N/A BUDGET/PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE N/A Page 1 of 2 ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.corn with the complete agenda package: • Communications Strategy • OCSD Fact Sheet • Website Portal Mock-Up • Sample Agenda Report • GM Monthly Report Proposal • Proposed Business Values • OCSD Standards Document Page 2 of 2 Orange County Sanitation District Communications Strategy Consumer Product Branding Objectives(Context for Utility Branding) • Clearly defined value category,category leadership • Consumers making a decision to buy a product at a given price • Build and maintain market share Utility Branding Objectives • Build a strong reputation in order to protect the interests of customers and served communities • Ensure appropriate investment in workforce,resources, and infrastructure,resulting in increased efficiency and increased value to the community • Maintain a credible and influential voice with policy makers,regulators,and legislators Utility Branding Issues and Strategies • Understand that the utility is being categorized by customers and those paying attention...These categorizations can impact policy decisions and the credibility of the utility's voice • Maintain a workforce that is highly qualified and[reined(strong performers and a credible voice) • Create positive impressions (branding moments) during customer-service interactions • Make it easy for people to understand the utility's roles, value, standards,and decisions • Define the utility's"Business Values"—Reliability,public health,efficiency,transparency...and recognize that these values are the utility's brand promises • Be categorized as fulfilling your Business Values by policy makers and key audiences • Recognize that key audiences(or the Influential Public)are those people who make or influence decisions....for example local/utility policy decisions,regulations, or legislation • Understand the role of standards in communicating motivations,value, and in being transparent • Make compelling business cases when proposing investments • Create communication content that specifically supports branding objectives and strategies • Create content that easier to read,less technical, and emphasizes standards and value • Refine outreach tactics to focus on building relationships with specific people(who are in a position to influence policy decisions,investment, and desired outcomes) • Create benefits for those members of the public that"engage"with OCSD • Ensure that Board members are aware of progress in developing important relationships OCSD Branding Tactics • Affirm commitment to transparency,effective community engagement,and appropriate investment • Review and update scope of OCSD customer-service interactions and standards of service...the overall goal is to create the impression, "I can't believe that is a public agency." • Define and approve an updated set of Business Values • Develop an OCSD Standards Document...identify document uses and process for update • Develop OCSD Fact Sheet...what everyone should know about OCSD in a three-minute read • Adopt a new format for Agenda Reports,making business cases for investment more compelling • Develop a new GM Report format that uses the Business Values as the framework, employs headlines that emphasize actions and results,and has items that are brief and easy to read • Use the new GM Report content to keep members of the influential public informed about major OCSD activities,policy decisions, and investments • Adopt process of periodically sharing Retum-On-Investment(ROI)and Efficiency Case Studies • Develop web front-page information portal for the Influential Public that increases transparency • Maintain target audience list,build relationships, and report results to the OCSD Board • Build key relationships using web-portal content,emails with content from GM Reports,and OCSD events that provide networking opportunities for community leaders Resource Trends, Inc. Branding•Communications•Investment ovw COUNTY SANrmw Plerna FACT S'NFFT: W110 WE ARE The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD) is a Sound Planning:The foundation for reliability and public agency that provides wastewater collection, providing compelling value is planning. OCSD's treatment, and disposal services for approximately planning process begins with having a long-term 2.5 million people in central and northwest Orange view, identifying key standards, and assessing and County. OCSD is a special district that is governed mitigating risks. Specifically, OCSD concentrates by the Board of Directors consisting of 25 board on maintaining reliable infrastructure, addressing members appointed from 20 cities,4 water/ evolving environmental standards, and providing sanitary districts, and 1 representative from the water resources for recycling. Infrastructure Orange County Board of Supervisors. OCSD has planning must ensure that pipes, pumps,treatment two operating facilities that treat wastewater from plants, and sewer systems are proactively residential, commercial and industrial sources. maintained and upgraded. By planning for changing environmental conditions, anticipating future Our Mission regulations, and advocating for effective and cost- To protect public health and the environment by conscious regulations, OCSD can provide long-term providing effective wastewater collection, reliability, continue to develop water resources for treatment, and recycling. recycling,and enhance environmental protections. Transparency: By providing easy access to Appropriate Investment: Providing reliable services information and timely responses to customer and compelling value requires that funding cover inquiries, OCSD creates an environment that both today's operational costs and the investments fosters public trust and allows customers to easily needed to ensure future reliability and quality of life. understand OCSD's roles, values, priorities and Consequently,fees must cover current operations strategic direction.This creates long-term and and infrastructure maintenance, needed capital mutually beneficial relationships with customers, investments, and provide for a highly-qualified, the media and other influential stakeholders,and well-trained, and diverse workforce.Securing leads to levels of service that meet the needs of adequate funding requires that OCSD managers the community. and staff are trusted, and that their investment proposals are compelling. For these reasons OCSD Exceptional Customer Service: OCSD provides pursues public participation in the decision-making timely, courteous and responsive service to process, which includes building collaborative customers and community members. OCSD relationships with elected officials,community prides itself on making it easy for customers leaders, and the engaged public. Outreach efforts to get information or to solve a problem,and are complemented with a strong government- maintains high standards for responding to advocacy program that gives OCSD a voice in customer issues, including odor, neighborhood ensuring that future regulations and legislation construction,or questions about fees and billing. create cost-effective value. OCSD's commitment to exceptional service means constantly enhancing its understanding of customer MORE ON REVERSE needs,and when appropriate updating standards or investing in industry-leading technologies. A lrr •9 2 f � LHE Hid ORANGE COUNTY SAN/rmw v1sroCT FACT S'NFFT: WHO WE ARE Public Health and the Environment:The foundation and supported the Development of the Groundwater for OCSD's public health and environmental Replenishment System (GWRS). Providing tap water commitment is complying with the Clean Water Act, that is fit for drinking,and recycled water that is which means maintaining 24/7/365 compliance acceptable for the intended use, is not an accident with its ocean discharge permit and 24/7/365 of nature. OCSD and OCWD work together to treatment-plant reliability.And protecting the manage the quality of water sources, employ state- Pacific Ocean requires an ongoing commitment of-the-art water purification processes,optimize by OCSD staff to increase their knowledge about facility operations and maintenance,and conduct the local marine environment. OCSD's sewer rigorous water-quality testing. OCSD's water-quality system keeps wastewater in the pipes, and as efforts begin with meeting the needs of OCWD, and a minimum meets all Sanitary Sewer Overflow are supported by active involvement in industry (SSO) regulations. However, meeting the health associations.This allows OCSD's staff to keep and environmental needs of the community does abreast of the latest water-quality research and not end with regulatory compliance. It requires best practices. that OCSD reach out to the public to understand their needs and concerns. Meeting their needs Sound Finances, Efficient Operations:OCSD's includes building and maintaining facilities that financial standards ensure that it has the financial address local environmental impacts, such as odor, strength to provide the reliable and high-quality architectural aesthetics, noise,and minimizing service that customers expect, and the stability to the inconveniences of construction projects. avoid unexpected rate spikes. This includes finances Finally, OCSD must ensure that public health and that are resilient to economic downturns, changes environmental protections are effective during in wastewater flows and environmental conditions, severe weather events and natural disasters. and natural disasters.OCSD's financial practices and reserves allow it to earn favorable credit ratings, Water Resource Development:Water reliability is which means that it has access to low interest rates the foundation for a vibrant and growing economy, on financed infrastructure improvements. Finally, by and OCSD's water resources are becoming an aggressively pursuing grant funding and constantly integral part of maintaining water reliability in the increasing efficiency, OCSD is able to keep rates region.Through its partnership with the Orange as low as possible while maintaining essential County Water District(OCWD), OCSD has invested in investment in resources and infrastructure. 1� fq ' I'` • o 0 a Orange County Sanita x F C (1 -1 ocsewers.com Q = about us board of directors openGov student resources residents businesses OCSearch... 4 a.l.d tarywye\ AA FIX I> 1 a .. t r • r rr sa • Y M.1 Milmr . >Otlar Complaint >Fees • Tours �, _. .i i .. >Repon a Spill > Permits > Programsiu. > Career a C.natmction > Blds&RFP > Speakers r >Salary & d� jj >SevrerFees > Regolm.ry ComplianCompliance > GWR 5 Ystem Benefits LATEST NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS WANT TO KNOW MORE Public W.rks Will May 17-23> 05/23-Steering Committee ABOUT WHAT WE DO? 2U35 Meeting Fact Sheet .Tp Fublicworks rrtek from tine ortrye What...Zan rl knowabout the roles and count,sanit e.n anal 05/27-Board of Directors Meeting values.( DSD .................................................. Orange county Grmad Jury oG/o3-Operations committee Policy Ticker Issues Wa[er-Saving Report Meetlng Racers delusions by OCSD Bosh of Directors ReceM1, tine 0rar9e CouMY GraMbrY .................................................. IssuM tM1eir rtyrt Ircrtesiry Water fimn,diry: A WIn-Winbr orange Com2y.I.-mart .Ibcnn arepotandthab mofnourm Strategic Plan orsnma coo" ' Major goals and copied investment pro grams .................................................. Achievement for Escellenc>a in Financial Reporting OCSD Board of Directors 1 Govarmmam Flan-all Aarociabon Profiles and compensation of tM Gnlhtl states ant Gaea(GFGq Ms .................................................. confined a Cerbfimte of Achievement do E¢elleae in Fiamal a ray to Coast, the Crary. sanitation oiamd. Open Gov ......................I........................... Orange County Sanitation District Sample Agenda Report, Outfall Design Services Standards for Agenda Reports • Most important communication you produce....quality should reflect this fact • Stands on its own—Don't need prior knowledge • Identify key standards driving the proposal (problem statement) • Be specific and meaningful • Answer relevant questions in advance • Easy to read - Lowest word count to understand issue/problem • Don't allow acronyms to make it hard to read General Manager's Recommendation A. Approve a Professional Design Services Agreement with..... B. Approve a Contingency..... Summary Background The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD)has two effluent pump stations at Plant No. 2 to pump treated wastewater out to the sea: the Ocean Outfall Booster Station (Booster Station)and the Effluent Pump Station Annex(Pump Station Annex). The Booster Station was constructed in 1988 and has a capacity of 600 MOD, and the Pump Station Annex was constructed in 2007 and has a capacity of 360 MOD. Relevant Standards • Constantly identify and implement increases in efficiency • Maintain a proactive asset management and maintenance program • Support OCWD expansion of GWRS • CA Government Code: Select the"best qualified firm"and"negotiate a fair and equitable fee" Problem Declining plant effluent flows due to water conservation and OCSD providing effluent to support OCWD's Groundwater Replenishment System(GWRS)means that the Booster Station and the Pump Station Annex are frequently operating below minimum design capacities. This causes inefficient pumping (higher energy use than needed?)and has corrosive and fouling impact on the pumps and piping. This increases maintenances costs and reduces the life of equipment. Furthermore, separate studies have indicated that the Booster Station's mechanical and electrical systems are nearing the end of their useful lives. OCSD needs consulting engineering support to assess and design new systems that address these issues. Solution OCSD advertised a Request for Proposal on September 23, 2014 and two proposal were received. Based on OCSD's standard evaluation process and pursuant to government codes, staff Resource Trends, Inc. Branding•Communications•Investment Orange County Sanitation District Sample Agenda Report, Outfall Design Services recommends approval of the Professional Design Services Agreement with Brown and Caldwell. This Agreement will assess current conditions and address the following: • Rehabilitating deteriorating or obsolete electrical mechanical, structural, control systems,break rooms, and restrooms at the Booster Station • Determining the size of new low flow pumps for the Booster Station and Pump Station Annex • Pump Station Annex is pretty new....besides the low flow scenario, how can we describe what is going on? Timing Concerns Booster station rehabilitation is prudent given its age, and OCWD is projecting the need for even more secondary effluent to support expansion of GWRS. This means that flows to the Booster Station and Pump Station Annex will continue to decrease. Failure to design and implement solutions could delay providing more water to GWRS? Why is waiting not a good idea? Financial Considerations The fees for these design services are included in the budget, so they will not impact current rate projections. These design services will ultimately lead to a construction project that will cost approximately which is included in the current capital budget. Allocating a 10%contingency is standard procedure, and use of the contingency budget is dependent on Board approval. Ramifications of Not Taking Action Increased risk of failure due to asset life and consequences of low flow operations. Increased maintenance costs and energy use. What are the operating cost savings of updating these systems? Energy use, reduction in maintenance costs? Resource Trends, Inc. Branding•Communications•Investment Orange County Sanitation District General Manager Report Proposal Included on the following page is a sample of an updated General Manager Report. This update is founded on the idea that this Report is one of the most important communications that the District produces,not only because it is addressed to the Board of Directors,but because it represents what staff wants people to know about OCSD. It can also be used as a basis for communicating with members of the influential public. This means that the Report should receive enough focus and attention to be very relevant and clear. This sample may be longer than an actual report because it is designed to illustrate important issues. This Report in general is bound by the following issues and standards. Information Categories—The Report categorizes information based on important elements of the business values or brand,including the following: Public and Environmental Health, Recovering Valuable Resources, Sound Finances and Increasing Efficiency, Community Outreach and Transparency, Legislative and Industry Affairs, and Workforce and Administration. These categories serve as a reminder of the value that OCSD provides to its customers and the region,and provide the specific context for each information item. Use Meaningful Headlines—Peak interest,by being more results or action oriented. Be Brief—Current Reports have too many words and too much information. This can decrease readership and comprehension. Think about what Board members and the influential public really need to know. General guidelines are to focus on who (people and communities) and results (benefits or risks). Find someone who is skilled in this area to edit these reports. Outreach Updates—You may be losing Board members when you provide just a list of outreach activities. Providing a link to a list would be fine. Use this section to highlight progress on specific relationships or support for specific endeavors/investments. Comments on Category Placement—Employee awards are included in the Workforce and Administration category while agency or project awards are included in the Legislative and Industry Affairs category. Some items will apply to more than one category. For example, ceasing disinfection of ocean discharge water protects the environment and saves money. Protection of the environment is primary, so it is listed under Public and Environmental Health. Organizational Updates—These were a little long and hard to grasp specific results, so consider leaving these out until they are improved. The intent is to show that organizational efficiency(or effectiveness) is being reviewed and enhanced. Stay focused on very specific changes and explain the tangible increases in efficiency/effectiveness. Complement GM Reports with ROI and Efficiency Case Studies—A good way to complement the information in these reports is to create ROI and Efficiency Case Studies. 11 Page Orange County Sanitation District General Manager Report Proposal February 18,2015 TO: Chair and Members of the Board of Directors Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg General Manager SUBJECT: General Manager Report Public and Environmental Health Ceasing Ocean Outfall Disinfection Protects the Environment and Saves Money The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and United States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) staff gave OCSD their approval to cease disinfection of its ocean discharge on March 17, 2015. After reviewing several studies conducted by OCSD staff,both regulatory agencies concluded that OCSD disinfection practices resulted in a slight but increasing degradation of the marine community living new the ocean outfall. Additionally, the study found that disinfection provided no public health benefit to local beaches. OCSD has initiated additional beach and ocean monitoring to Rather ensure the quality of our coastal waters after this change. Ceasing disinfection will save OCSD approximately$420,000 per yew in chemical costs alone. Santa Ana Trunk Sewer Rehabilitation Moving Forward This project rehabilitates a portion of the Santa Ana Trunk sewer system between Bristol Avenue and the Santa Ana River within the cities of Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. The project is slightly delayed due to late delivery of sewer pipes and the need for the contractor to submit alternate traffic control plans. Construction started Monday, February 9. Based on the recent update,the schedule shows a delay of approximately one month with completion on July 22,2015. However,the contractor believes they can make-up the lost time. Study Results will Enhance OCSD's Power Outage Reliability Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County(WEROC)coordinates emergency response to major disasters on behalf of all Orange County water and wastewater agencies. OCSD participated in an effort by WEROC to assess stand-by power capability and fuel needs of wastewater systems under during normal operations and during a loss of the power grid for multiple days. OCSD staff now has a better understanding of needed diesel fuel supplies for stand-by generators for 15 remote pumping stations and both treatment/reclamation plants. This information will be used to update our current Integrated Emergency Response Plan(IERP). Recovering Valuable Resources Effluent Reuse Study Paves the Way for GWRS Expansion OCSD has begun its Effluent Reuse Study which will make recommendations and develop an implementation plan for wastewater collection and treatment improvements needed to support the expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System. The study,which will be completed in Much 2016,will also support the development of other water reuse opportunities. 2 1 P a g e Orange County Sanitation District General Manager Report Proposal Sound Finances and Increasing Efficiency OCSD Receives AAA Credit Rating The District's recent debt issuance resulted in an `AAA' Credit Rating from both Fitch Ratings and Standards&Poor's. This is the highest possible rating, demonstrating that OCSD has an exceptional degree of creditworthiness and can meet its financial commitments. Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget Kick-Off This month,we initiated the budget development process for the 2015-16 Budget Update which is scheduled for adoption in June. There will be a series of presentations covering important budgeting issues to both the Administration and Operation Committees in the coming months. OCSD Continues to Generate Revenue by Selling Emissions Credits The South Coast AQMD requires emission offsets to approve construction of facilities that emit air pollutants. These offsets are often met using Emission Reduction Credits(ERC's). During the past 10 yews OCSD has generated more than $5 million in revenue through the sale of ERC's. Many of these credits were awarded in the 1990's when OCSD replaced 23 polluting diesel engines with the Central Power Generation Systems. OCSD still holds enough ERC's to offset 600 pounds per day of various emissions. OCSD has received proposals from a brokerage firm to buy 169 pounds per day of ERCs through two separate transactions. OCSD is expected to net$608,000 and$82,500 from these sales, which should be completed by March 2015. Successful Launch of Management System will Increase Efficiency—"Maximo" The new Computerized Maintenance Management System(CMMS),known as Maximo was successfully launched on Friday January 23. The system will help OCSD staff to identify opportunities for improving preventative maintenance programs and being more efficient with staffing. All software features of the system are performing well. A few minor system glitches have been identified but these are being resolved. All of Plant No. 1 maintenance staff have Microsoft Surface Tablets to issue work orders,requisition parts, and access technical specifications. Plant No. 2 staff members will be receiving Tablets over the next few months. Community Outreach and Transparency OCSD Responds to Region-Wide Grand Jury Request As part of its comprehensive review of all of the special districts within its jurisdiction,the Orange County Grand Jury requested information from OCSD. Information provided included details about OCSD's organizational structure, financial specifics such as revenue sources, expenditures,assets, reserves and liabilities. OCSD Holds Stakeholder Meeting for Gisler-Red Hill Sewer Rehabilitation This $23 million project will replace and/or rehabilitate portions of the Gisler-Red Hill Sewers along Red Hill Avenue between McGaw Street and Mitchell Avenue, and the intersection of Newport Boulevard and Mitchell Avenue, in the cities of Irvine, Santa Ana, and Tustin. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2015 and will last approximately 18 months. 31 Page Orange County Sanitation District General Manager Report Proposal As part of the Construction Outreach Program, OCSD hosted a Stakeholder Community Meeting on January 22 at Tustin's City Hall. Community members in attendance received a project overview and were given the opportunity to provide input on the design elements and other issues including hours of construction and traffic control. Notification for this meeting was through direct mail, the City of Tustin's website, and an article was published in the Orange County Register's Local Section covering the City of Tustin. Leeislative and Industry Affairs OCSD Establishes Position on SB 119 (Senator Hill) This proposed piece of legislation would require an agency to mark or take responsibility for marking private laterals. Our position is to oppose any provision of the proposed legislation that requires an agency to mark or take responsibility for marking laterals as OCSD is not responsible for private sewer laterals. A letter detailing this position will be presented at the April Legislative and Public Affairs Committee, and sent to Senator Hill if approved. Santa Ana River Interceptor Project Wins Civil Engineering Award The Santa Ana River Interceptor project won the Wastewater Conveyance Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. This project was completed in partnership with the County of Orange, Santa Ana Watershed Authority and OCSD. Once again, nice job to all OCSD employees who played a role in the successful completion of this 15 year effort. OCSD Applying for$450,000 WaterSmart Grant- Staff is applying for a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation(USBR)WaterSmart grant for$450,000 to supplement the cost of the Effluent Reuse Study. This reuse study will make recommendations for improving wastewater collection and treatment facilities specifically needed to support the expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System. Member agencies and our partners have submitted letters of support to USBR, including OCWD, SAWPA, Midway City, Costa Mesa Sanitary Agency and Buena Park. Workforce and Administration Additional Board Member Orientation For Board Members who were not able to make the January 14 New Board Member Orientation, we will be holding a second workshop on Thursday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m. The orientation will cover District Administration and Finances,OCSD History and Future,Board Rules and Procedures, Operations and Workforce Planning and Development.Notification will be provided closer to the date. Update to General Manager's Work Plan Following this monthly update, you will find the Mid-Year Update on my Fiscal Year 2014- 2015 Work Plan. Please let me know if you have any questions. Labor Agreements Approved On January 28, 2015, the Board approved an agreement between OCSD and the Supervisory and Professional Management Group(SPMG)bargaining units for successor Memoranda of Understanding(MOUs). These three-year agreements will expire on June 30,2016. The Board 41 Page Orange County Sanitation District General Manager Report Proposal also approved successor MOUs for the Orange County Employees Association(OCEA) bargaining units. These two-year agreements will expire on June 30, 2016. OCSD continues to meet and confer in good faith with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on March 25, 2015. Victoria Pilko Receives Engineering Awards Congratulations to Victoria Pilko on receiving the Outstanding Engineer Merit award from Orange County Engineering Council and the Public Sector Civil Engineer of Merit from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Victoria has more than 20 years of experience in wastewater rehabilitation and has been with OCSD since 2006. Class and Compensation Study Underway Vendor selection through the REP process is complete, and work on the Classification and Compensation Study has began. Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., the selected vendor, currently is conducting initial meetings with OCSD's Human Resources and the Executive Management Team. Position description questionnaires will be completed by employees and reviewed by management by June 30. The classification and compensation study is on track for completion by December 31, 2015 in accordance with one of my General Manager's Work Plan goals. 51 Page Orange County Sanitation District Updated/Proposed Business Values OCSD's Business Values support the Mission Statement by more thoroughly describing its promises to provide value to the customers and communities it serves. Providing reliable, responsive, and cost effective services in line with customer needs Protecting public health, the natural environment, and our neighborhoods Recovering valuable water, energy, and organic resources Spending money wisely through sound planning, efficient operations, and sound financial management Transparently sharing our mission and strategies with customers and stakeholders Creating the best possible workforce in terms of safety, productivity, training, and customer service Partnering with others to benefit our customers, this region, and our industry Resource Trends, Inc. Branding•Communications•Investment Orange County Sanitation District Organizational Standards—Draft Version 1.3 June, 2015 Sound Planning Sound Financial Management • Standards driven organization • Annual user fees sufficient to cover all O&M • Anticipate and plan for future regulations and and capital debt requirements legal requirements • Stable rates,no large unforeseen rate increases • Maintain collaborative and cooperative • Actual collection,treatment,and disposal costs relationships with regulators per million gallons track budget • Proactively address changes in waste stream . Easy access to low cost credit and environmental conditions • Maintain AAA credit rating • Be active in industry associations • Debt ratio? Operating cash? Reserves? • 5 year Strategic Plan . Produce Ops and CIP budgets every two years • Annual update of the Strategic Plan with annual update • 1,5,20 year planning horizons . Follow GAAF,specifically GFOA standards • 1,5,20 year CIP plans updated annually? . Annual financial report and audit letter • Maintain Odor Control Master Plan . Secure outside funding(grants)for recycled • Biosolids Master Plan,Energy Master Plan? water or other capital programs • Stable costs and risk managed Biosolids Appropriate Investment management program • Monthly Operations Report • Ensure that the public's money is wisely spent . Quarterly financial reporting • Investment proposals and decisions based on . Bi-Annual Budget Book clearly defined standards • CAFR Annual Financial with Audit Letter • Long-term view that appropriately funds . CIP Annual Report capital improvement programs . Internal auditing—Approx.3 per year • Make compelling cases for investment • Build brand,trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders Efficient Operations • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Maintain a culture of improving efficiency • Data-driven asset intervention-Type,life • Efficiency efforts reduce the cost to provide data,inspections,costs, industry standards the current service level or standard • Consider life-cycle costs in all decisions • Use all practical and effective means for • Sound engineering and accounting practices, recovering energy complying with local,state and federal laws • Hold an annual State of the District meeting that emphasizes performance and efficiency • Participate in National Joint Powers Authority Exceptional Customer Service (NJPA)cooperative purchasing program • Make it easy for customers and the public to • Ensure that important documents are easily get a problem solved or interact with OCSD accessible for all business functions Ensure that all records are 100%electronic • Respond to treatment plant odor complaints • within 1 hour • Maintain a modern contract administration • Respond to collection system odor complaints system, 100%of contracts in the system within 1 working day • Use 100%of digester gas to generate power • Respond m construction project complaints or inquiries within 1 working day Protecting Public Health, Environment • New connection permits processed within one working day • Listen to and seriously consider community • Respond to all Biosolids contractor violations inputs on environmental concerns within and week of violation notice • Accounting calls standards? Water • Misc.Control Center call standards? • Comply with the Clean Water Act • Meet discharge permit 24/7/365 11 Page Orange County Sanitation District Organizational Standards—Draft Version 1.3 June, 2015 • 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability • Meet 5 NTU from Plant 1 for GWRS • 24/7/365 reliability of pumping stations • Meet volume and water quality needs to • No notices of violation support GWRS System • Annual Ocean Monitoring Report • Develop detailed plan for recycling Plant 2 • Meet sec.treatment standards 25 HOD(mg/L) water by FY 18-19 • Meet sec.treatment standards 30 TSS(mg/L) • Frequency of emergency outfall use-0 Middy Effective Workforce • Increasing knowledge of local marine environment • Highly qualified,well trained,motivated,and • Receive and treat up to 10 MGD of dry diverse workforce weather urban runoff flows • Meet OSHA training requirements • Maintain contaminant source control program • 45 training hours per year per employee and enforce pre-treatment regulations • Competitive compensation and benefits • Minimize personal care products and emerging • Provide for professional growth,development contaminants in source waters • Provide a safe and collegial workplace • Meet or exceed sanitary sewer overflow • Employee injury incident rate<—4.1 per 100 regulations • Day lost due to injury<=2.5 • Less than 2.1 sewer spills per 100 miles • Hours worked since last lost work day • Respond to collection system spills in 1 hour >= 1,000,000 • Contain sewer spills within 5 hours • Encourage collaboration • Plan for and execute succession,minimizing Air vacant position times • Meet or exceed air pollution regulations • Positive employer,employee relations • No notices of violation . Communicate meaningfully with employees • Air emissions health risk to community and . Negotiate fair and equitable labor agreements employees less than 10 per million . Conduct periodic employee satisfaction survey • 0 odor incidents/events under normal operating conditions for Plants I and 2 • Collection system odor incidents—12 per year Transparency • Regularly meet with W WTP neighbors and reassess odor requirements • Maintain transparency certificate • Make it easy for people to understand OCSD's Biosolids roles and value to the community • Safe beneficial reuse of Biosolids • Content that is brief and meaningful, • No notices of violation emphasizing standards and motivations • Less than 100 tons to landfill through 2017 • Easy access to essential,governance info. peak production period • OCSD Annual Report • Annual Biosolids Performance Report • No release or sharing of information without the proper context Neighborhood Impacts • Timely release of information and response to • Operate and maintain facilities to minimize information requests impacts on surrounding communities, • Host public open house for all rate issues including odor,noise,and lighting • Ensure that public events/decision processes • Ensure that assets/facilities blend in with the are communicated using multiple channels surrounding community • Comply with transparency and communication • Meet CEQA and NEPA standards requirements,including the Brown Act • AB 1234...Board ethics training Develon OCSD's Water Resources • Share bad news early,before someone else shares the information • Use all practical and effective means for • Maintain long-term productive relationships recovering wastewater for reuse with the media • Highly reliable water delivery to GWRS • Respond appropriately to negative publicity 21 Page 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 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) 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 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 Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations SARI Santa Ana River Inceptor SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board 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. 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. 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. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 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 DrT 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. NDMA— 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. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations 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.