HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-2015 Steering Committee Agenda Packet.pdf Orange County Sanitation District Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Regular Meeting of the F, 5:00 P.M.
STEERING COMMITTEE _ Administration Building
Conference Rooms A& B
10844 Ellis Avenue
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 593-7433
AGENDA
DECLARATION OF QUORUM:
PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to address the Board of Directors on any item, please complete a
Speaker's Form (located at the table at the back of the room) and submit it to the Clerk of the Board or
notify the Clerk of the Board the item number on which you want to speak. Speakers will be recognized by
the Chairman and are requested to limit comments to three minutes.
REPORTS: The Committee Chair and the General Manager may present verbal reports on
miscellaneous matters of general interest to the Directors. These reports are for information only and
require no action by the Directors.
CONSENT CALENDAR: The Consent Calendar Items are considered to be routine and will be
enacted, by the Committee, after one motion, without discussion. Any items withdrawn from the Consent
Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Minutes of the September 23, 2015 meeting of
the Steering Committee.
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
2. GENERAL MANAGER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (John Nielsen)
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-23 entitled, "A Resolution of the Board of Directors
of the Orange County Sanitation District approving salary increase, salary range
10/28/15 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 3
adjustment, and changes to benefits for the General Manager for Fiscal Year
2015-2016," authorizing the Board Chair to implement a base building salary
increase and corresponding salary range adjustment of 7% retroactive to
July 10, 2015, and changes to the benefits package for the General Manager, for
a total amount not to exceed $41,107.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
None.
CLOSED SESSION:
During the course of conducting the business set forth on this agenda as a regular meeting of the Board,
the Chair may convene the Board in closed session to consider matters of pending real estate
negotiations,pending or potential litigation,or personnel matters,pursuant to Government Code Sections
54956.8, 54956.9, 54957 or 54957.6, as noted.
Reports relating to (a)purchase and sale of real property; (b) matters of pending or potential litigation;
(c)employment actions or negotiations with employee representatives;or which are exempt from public
disclosure under the California Public Records Act, may be reviewed by the Board during a permitted
closed session and are not available for public inspection. At such time as the Board takes final action
on any of these subjects, the minutes will reflect all required disclosures of information.
Convene in closed session.
(1) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL RE EXISTING LITIGATION
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Number of Cases: 3
Klean Waters, Inc. v. Orange County Sanitation District, United States
District Court, Central District of California, Southern Division, Case No.
8:15-cv-00627-JVS-FFM.
Alex Shaaban v. Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County
Superior Court, Case No. 30-2014-00714555
Kelly Ross v. Orange County Sanitation District, Orange County Superior
Court, Case No. 30-2014-00714553
Reconvene in regular session.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION ON MATTERS CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION,
IF ANY:
1028115 Steenng Commlfiee Agenda Page 2 of 3
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS,
IF ANY:
ADJOURNMENT:
To the Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at
5:00 p.m.
Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability
related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's ice 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 dale and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item,including any public
records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all,or a majority of the Board of Directors,are available
for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board.
Agenda Description: The agenda provides a brief general description of each item of business to be considered or
discussed. The recommended action does not indicate what action will be taken. The Board of Directors may take
any action which is deemed appropriate.
NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for the Committee Meeting, items must be submitted to
the Clerk of the Board 14 days before the meeting.
Kelly A.Lore
Clerk of the Board
(714)593-7433
klore@oced.com
For any questions on the agenda, Committee members may contact staff at:
General Manager Jim Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbem(docsd.com
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 mhirelli(a)ocsd.cem
Director of Engineering Rob Thompson (714)593-7310 rthompson(rpocsd.com
Director of Facility Support Services Nick Amontes (714)593-7210 narhontesfdocsd.cem
Director of Finance and Lorenzo Tyner (714)593-7550 Ityner(rpocsd.com
Administrative Services
Director of Operations& Ed Torres (714)593-7080 etorres(Wocsd.com
Maintenance
10/28115 Steenng Committee Agenda Page 3 of 3
ITEM NO. 1
MINUTES OF THE
STEERING COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
A regular meeting of the Steering Committee of the Orange County Sanitation
District was called to order by Chair Beamish on Wednesday, September 23, 2015
at 5:02 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District.
Chair Nielsen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
John Nielsen, Chair Jim Herberg, General Manager
Greg Sebourn, Vice-Chair Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General
Keith Curry, Administration Committee Manager
Chair Rob Thompson, Director of
John Withers, Operations Committee Engineering
Chair Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Tom Beamish, Member-At-Large Administrative Services
David Shawver, Member-At-Large Ed Torres, Director of Operations &
Maintenance
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Nick Arhontes, Director of Facility
Lucille Kring, Member-At-Large Support Services
Kelly A. Lore, Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Rhea De Guzman
Norbert Gaia
Al Garcia
Tim Luu
Laura Maravilla
Sarah Redinger
Richard Spencer
Christina Stanford
OTHERS PRESENT:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
Roger A. Cerda, Esq., Alston & Bird ILL
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 1 d6
REPORTS:
Chair Nielsen provided a report on Legislative Affairs including: H.R. 3353 — Clean
Water Act Citizen Suit Reform and the California Emergency Drought Relief
Assistance bill (S. 1894); and drafting letters of supportfor both of these bills for action
by the Committee in October. He stated that Townsend Public Affairs team attended
the Committee this month and provided a State political update as well as a briefing
on SB 350. He stated that at his request, staff is working with CASA to attend an
upcoming Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting to presenttheir legislative
platform; and also working with ACC-OC to coordinate an event that will be hosted
here at OCSD in the future, to tour both OCSD and GWRS with a presentation by
SAWPA and OCSD.
Chair Nielsen further reported on recent Communicator Awards received; educational
outreach efforts which allowed OCSD to reach approximately 1,300 people through
tours and events in the month of July and August; and the expansion of OCSD's tour
program both in number of visitors (13%) as well as the number of tours offered. He
also reminded the Board of the upcoming State of the District event to be held on
October 16, 2015.
General Manager Jim Herberg informed the directors of the District's preparations for
the anticipated wet weather associated with El Nino, including training exercises, drills
and coordinating with local, regional and federal agencies on preparedness efforts.
He stated that he and staff had attended a meeting today at the Orange County EOC;
coordinating with OC Flood Control and the National Weather service in which
preparations were coordinated.
Mr. Herberg announced the following: final General Manager's work plan is included
in tonight's agenda; an upcoming Special Board Meeting to be held on October 21,
2015 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Strategic Plan Update; and the OCSD District tour
for State Senator Janet Nguyen on October 28th. He also stated that on Sept. 16th the
GWRS hit 100 mgd.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Approve Minutes of the
August 26, 2015 Regular Steering Committee Meeting.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Kring
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 2 of 6
2. GENERAL MANAGER'S FY 2015-2016 WORK PLAN (Jim Herberg)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the
Board of Directors to: Receive and file the General Manager's FY 2015-16
Work Plan.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Kring
3. SALES TAXES FOR CHEMICAL PURCHASES (Brad Hogin)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board
of Directors to: Approve Sole Source Agreements for Tax Consulting and
Advocacy Services with Equity Recovery Solutions and Reed Smith regarding
pursuit of refunds for sales tax paid on chemical purchases.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Kring
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
Assistant General Manager, Bob Ghirelli, provided a brief presentation and answered
questions regarding Item 4, which is returning to the committee for approval.
4. LOCAL 501 MOU REOPENERS FOR ARTICLE 19 — STANDBY PAY,
ARTICLE 26 — SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL, & ARTICLE 49.2 — RELIEF
OPERATOR (Bob Ghirelli)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the
Board of Directors to: Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-19, entitled, "A
Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District
Approving Standby Pay Changes Identified through the International Union of
Operating Engineers Local 501 (Local 501) 2015 Reopener Negotiations."
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Kring
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 3 of 6
5. General Manager Jim Herberg, introduced item 5 and provided a brief
presentation including the accomplishments of the agency.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
AND MANAGER GROUP COMPENSATION (Jim Herberg)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the
Board of Directors to:
A. Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-20 entitled, "A Resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District approving salary
increases, salary range adjustments, performance-based increases, the
distribution of any remaining funds based on changes to scope, duties
or responsibilities and changes to benefits for At-Will Executive
Management Team employees for Fiscal Year 2015-2016," authorizing
the General Manager to implement a base building salary increase and
corresponding salary range adjustment of 2% retroactive to July 10,
2015; a performance-based base building increase at the discretion of
the General Manager; the distribution of any remaining funds, as a non-
base building payment, to specific Executive Management Team
incumbents based on changes to scope, duties or responsibilities; and
a one-time irrevocable election for the Executive Management Team to
transition from Executive Benefits to Organizational Benefits, for a total
NTE amount of$78,688.
B. Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-21 entitled, "A Resolution of the Board
of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation District approving changes
to the salary schedule, salary increases, performance-based increases,
and the distribution of any remaining funds based on changes to scope,
duties or responsibilities for unrepresented management employees for
Fiscal Year 2015-2016," authorizing the General Manager to implement
changes to the Manager Group salary schedule that eliminates the
control point and reduces the range maximum; a base building salary
increase of 2% retroactive to July 10, 2015; a performance-based base
building increase at the discretion of the General Manager and
Department Head; and the distribution of any remaining funds, as a non-
base building payment, to specific Manager Group incumbents based
on changes to scope, duties or responsibilities, for a total NTE amount
of$114,000.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and
Withers
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Kring
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 4 of 6
Mr. Herberg introduced item 6, and stated that this report and recommendation
incorporates exactly what was directed by the committee. The Committee
stated their satisfaction in the revisions.
6. CLASSIFICATION & COMPENSATION STUDIES — COMPARISON
AGENCIES (Bob Ghirelli)
MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the
Board of Directors to: Approve the list of 17 comparison agencies selected by
OCSD in collaboration with stakeholder groups, and begin the next phase of
the Classification & Compensation Studies, which includes a labor market
survey.
CLOSED SESSION:
CONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTIONS: 54956.9(d)(1); 54957.6
The Committee convened in closed session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss two items.
Confidential minutes of the Closed Session have been prepared in accordance with
the above Government Code Sections and are maintained by the Clerk of the Board
in the Official Book of Confidential Minutes of Board and Committee Closed Meetings.
RECONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION:
The Committee reconvened in regular session at 6:00 p.m.
CONSIDERATION OF ACTION, IF ANY, ON MATTERS CONSIDERED IN CLOSED
SESSION
None.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 5 of 6
ADJOURNMENT:
The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. to the next Steering
Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kelly A. Lore
Clerk of the Board
09/23/2015 Steering Committee Minutes Page 6 of 6
STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date TOBE.Or .Dir.
10/28/15 10/28/15
AGENDA REPORT ItemNumber Item Number
z
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: John Nielsen, Board Chair
SUBJECT: GENERAL MANAGER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
BOARD CHAIR'S RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. OCSD 15-23 entitled, "A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Orange County Sanitation District approving salary increase, salary range adjustment,
and changes to benefits for the General Manager for Fiscal Year 2015-2016,"authorizing
the Board Chair to implement a base building salary increase and corresponding salary
range adjustment of 7% retroactive to July 10, 2015, and changes to the benefits package
for the General Manager, for a total amount not to exceed $41,107.
SUMMARY
The General Manager is employed on an At-Will basis, and serves at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors.
Since the General Manager was appointed to this position in April 2013, the Board has
approved one (1) base building salary increase of 3% and a corresponding salary
range adjustment in Fiscal Year 2014-2015.
The Board Chair is recommending a base building salary increase and corresponding
salary range adjustment of 7%, at a total cost not to exceed $15,501, for Fiscal Year
2015-2016. The proposed 7% base building salary increase and the corresponding
salary range adjustment would move the General Manager's salary range market position
from the 20th percentile to the 26th percentile for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Similarly, the
proposed salary increase would move OCSD's General Manager's market position in
terms of incumbents' (OCSD's comparison agencies) salaries and total compensation,
from the 1st percentile to 9th percentile of peers' salaries, and from the 3rd percentile to
15th percentile of peers' total compensation. The General Manager's market position will
be revisited through the current comprehensive classification and compensation study,
which will provide the Board with data for consideration on an organization-wide structural
alignment of its pay systems.
Pursuant to the understanding with the General Manager at the beginning of negotiations,
the salary changes would take effect retroactively to July 10, 2015, the first pay period in
the current fiscal year.
The Board Chair also recommends implementing changes to the General Manager's
benefits package to more closely align with those offered to represented and
unrepresented employees, at a projected cost of$25,606.
Page 1 d 3
The net total cost for all proposed compensation and benefit changes for the General
Manager is not to exceed $41,107.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
August 2015 — Board authorized the Chair to initiate discussions with the General
Manager regarding his compensation and benefits package in closed session.
June 2015 — Steering Committee conducted the annual performance evaluation of the
General Manager in closed session.
November 2014 — Board approved Resolution No. OCSD 14-15, approving a base
building salary increase for the General Manager of 3% of salary and to adjust the
corresponding salary range by 3% for FY 2014-2015, effective July 11, 2014.
June 2014 — Steering Committee conducted the annual performance evaluation of the
General Manager in closed session.
February 2013 — Board approved appointment of James D. Herberg to the position of
General Manager and approved the current compensation and benefits package,
effective April 1, 2013.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The General Manager provides leadership, strategic direction, and organizational
oversight at OCSD. This position serves as the chief executive officer, and it is integral
and critical to the success of the agency.
During the past year, under the direction of the General Manager, the Sanitation District
completed significant goals as set forth by the Board of Directors, including:
• Reduced planned user fee increases;
• Reaffirmed AAA credit ratings;
• Paid down unfunded retirement liabilities, resulting in $6 million of annual savings;
• $75 million in other operations savings identified over the next ten-year forecasting
period;
• No staff increases;
• No additional debt;
• Secured a $450,000 grant for future water recycling study;
• Ceased bleach disinfection of our effluent saving $425,000 per year;
• Completed phase 1 of the Newport Forcemain Replacement Project;
• Increased flows to GWRS by 30% to 130 mgd;
• Achieved labor agreements with bargaining units;
• Relocation of Santa Ana River Interceptor from the flood plain (by County of
Orange); and
• Received numerous national awards including NAWCA Peak Performance Award
for 100% compliance, US top 10 Fleets, Budget and Procurement Awards, WEF
Plant Safety Award, to name a few.
Page 2 d 3
The current At-Will Employment Agreement for General Manager James D. Herberg
became effective July 1, 2014. The General Manager's current annual base salary is
$221,449.
Annually, the Steering Committee makes its recommendation to the Board concerning
adjustments to the General Manager's compensation package. Section 6 of the At-Will
Employment Agreement specifies the following: "District's Steering Committee shall meet
with General Manager in August of each year during the term of this Agreement to review
and evaluate his performance over the prior year. The Steering Committee shall make its
recommendation(s) to the Board concerning adjustment to the compensation and/or
benefits paid or provided to General Manager, to be effective in July of the year of review.
After consideration of the recommendation(s) of the Steering Committee, the Board shall
determine and approve the compensation, including benefits, payable to General
Manager, which generally becomes effective July of the fiscal year of the review."
OCSD is committed to maintaining a competitive compensation market position that
attracts and retains top employment talent. It is OCSD's philosophy to compensate
employees competitively and equitably, and understanding the relative market position
assists in that determination. The proposed base building salary increase effective July
2015 will ensure OCSD maintains a competitive compensation market position to
continue to attract and retain this critical positions.
The proposed benefits package would include those benefits offered to represented and
unrepresented employees, including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance and paid
leave. The General Manager's benefits package also will include additional life insurance
coverage at two times (2x) salary, auto allowance, 6% plus $1,250 investment incentive
salary (IIS), and a $5,000 employer-paid 457(b) deferred compensation contribution.
CEQA
N/A
BUDGET/PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE
The funds for this increase were included in the OCSD Operating Budget for FY 2015-
2016.
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. OCSD 15-23
• General Manager Pay Table, July 2014
• Proposed General Manager Pay Table, July 2015
Page 3 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. OCSD 15-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ORANGE
COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT APPROVING SALARY INCREASE,
SALARY RANGE ADJUSTMENT, AND CHANGES TO BENEFITS FOR
THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016
WHEREAS, the General Manager provides organizational leadership, strategic
direction, and District oversight for Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD); and
WHEREAS, the General Manager serves an at-will employment status, which may
be terminated at any time by the Board with or without cause with no liability; and
WHEREAS, it is OCSD's philosophy to compensate employee classifications
competitively, which currently can be achieved through alignment with the salary market;
and
WHEREAS, the July 1, 2014, At-Will Agreement with the General Manager
provides that, "District's Steering Committee shall meet with General Manager in August
of each year during the term of this Agreement to review and evaluate his performance
over the prior year. The Steering Committee shall make its recommendation(s) to the
Board concerning adjustment to the compensation and/or benefits paid or provided to
General Manager, to be effective in July of the year of review. After consideration of the
recommendation(s) of the Steering Committee, the Board shall determine and approve
the compensation, including benefits, payable to General Manager, which generally
becomes effective July of the fiscal year of the review"; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee commenced its review of the General
Manager's performance in June 2015, finalized its review and made its recommendation
to the Board on October 28, 2015.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation
District, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER:
1. That the Board of Directors hereby authorizes and approves the following
changes to General Manager's salary, which shall become effective
retroactively to the first pay period of July 2015:
a. Abase building salary increase for the General Manager of 7% of salary
and to adjust the corresponding salary range by 7%.
2. That the Board Chair, or his designee, is authorized to implement the changes
to salary range and salary approved herein.
OCSD 15-23-1
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors held
October 28, 2015.
John Nielsen
Board Chair
ATTEST:
Kelly Lore,
Clerk of the Board
OCSD 15-23-2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
ss
COUNTY OF ORANGE )
I, Kelly A. Lore, Clerk of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Sanitation
District, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. OCSD 15-23 was passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of said Board on the 281h day of October 2015, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal
of Orange County Sanitation District this 281h day of October 2015.
Kelly A. Lore
Clerk of the Board of Directors
Orange County Sanitation District
OCSD 15-23-3
General Manager Pay Tables
July 2014 and Proposed 2015
Orange County Sanitation District
Classification and Compensation Plan
Rates Effective July 1, 2014
GENERAL MANAGER
Classification Pay Grade I Minimum I Midpoint I Control Point I Maximum
General Manager I EMT120 1 $ 176,5901 $ 220,739 1 $ 238,399 $ 264,887
Orange County Sanitation District
Classification and Compensation Plan
PROPOSED Rates Effective July 1, 2015
GENERAL MANAGER
Classification I Pay Grade I Minimum I Midpoint I Control Point I Maximum
General Manager I EMT120 1 $ 188,9521 $ 236,1911 $ 255,087 $ 283,429
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.