HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-2014 Operations Committee Agenda Packet Orange County Sanitation District s.w D�GkiTATIos D19RICT Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Regular Meeting of the 5:00 P.M.
Operations Committee Administration Building
Board Room
10844 Ellis Avenue
J Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 593-7130
1954-2a14
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.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve Minutes of October 1, 2014, Operations Committee meeting.
2. Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to ALFA LAVAL/ASHBROOK for one set
of Belt Filter Press Rollers, to replace a set that has failed on an existing Belt
Filter Press, located at Plant No 2, for a total amount not to exceed $142,619.
3. Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to CS-AMSCO, for the purchase of 28
valves for Digester C & Q, located at Plant No. 2 for a total amount not to exceed
$122,681.
11/05/14 Operations Committee Agenda Page 1 of 2
INFORMATION ITEMS:
4. Annual Strategic Plan Update and General Manager's Work Plan Overview
5. Legislative Affairs Program
6. Quarterly Odor Complaint Report
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
ADJOURNMENT:
The next Operations Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
December 3, 2014, 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 Distinct Clerk of the Board's office at
(714)593-7130 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability
and the type of accommodation requested.
Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2,this agenda
has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District's Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis
Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting 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.
Mafia E.Ayala
Clerk of the Board
(714)593-7130
mavala(d)ocsd.com
For any questions on the agenda,Committee members may contact staff at
General Manager Jim Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbem( omd.com
Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rohirelli0ocsd.com
Director of Engineering Rob Thompson (714)593-7310 rthomosonaocsd.mm
Director of Facility Support Services Nick Amontes (714)593-7210 narhontes(&ocsd.wm
Director of Operations&Maintenance Ed Tomes 714 593-7080 etomes ocsd.com
11/05/14 Operations Committee Agenda Page 2 of 2
ITEM NO. 1
MINUTES OF THE
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Engineering, Operations & Maintenance, and Facilities Support Services
Orange County Sanitation District
A regular meeting of the Operations Committee of the Orange County Sanitation District
was held on October 1, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the District's Administrative Office. Chair
Beamish called the meeting to order and led the Flag Salute.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
Operations Directors Present: Staff Present:
Scott Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Herberg, General Manager
Keith Curry Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering
Steve Jones Nick Arhontes, Director of Facilities Support
Lucille Kring Services
Michael Levitt Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance &
Richard Murphy Administrative Services
Steve Nagel Jeff Reed, Director of Human Resources
Greg Sebourn Kelly Lore, Acting Clerk of the Board
David Shawver Cindi Ambrose
Fred Smith Mike Berdis
Tom Beamish, Chair Jennifer Cabral
John Nielsen, Board Vice-Chair Jim Colston
Raul Cuellar
Operations Directors Absent: Dean Fisher
Brett Murdock, Chair Norbert Gala
Al Garcia
Kathy Millea
Mike Puccio
Carlos Quiroz
Lisa Rothbart
Jim Spears
Eros Yong
Others Present:
Brad Hogin, General Counsel
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public comments.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR:
None.
10/01/2014 Operations Committee Minutes Page 1 d 6
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
General Manager, Jim Herberg, notified the Committee that per direction from the Board
of Directors, an item has been placed on the Groundwater Replenishment Steering
Committee Meeting agenda of Monday, October 13, 2014, regarding cost sharing with
Orange County Water District for additional security services. He further stated that any
outcome would be brought back for the Board's consideration at a future meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve Minutes of
September 3, 2014, Operations Committee meeting.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel; Shawver and
F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Jones; Kring; Murdock; Nelson; Nielsen and Sebourn
2. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Tule Ranch Agreement 5-2011-513BD, for the
Management of Biosolids, providing additional fail-safe contingency options for
hauling and processing sub-Class "B" biosolids for land application at a cost
range from $13.00 (plus Orange County Waste and Recycling Fees) to $68.00
per wet ton indexed per the original contract terms in accordance to Table 2,
which will not exceed the contract total designated in the original Agreement
effective January 1, 2013.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel; Shawver and
F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Jones; Kring; Murdock; Nelson; Nielsen and Sebourn
10/01/2014 Operations Committee Minutes Page 2 of 6
3. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
A. Approve a Professional Design Services Agreement with MWH Americas,
Inc. to provide engineering design services for Consolidated Demolition
and Utility Improvements at Plant No. 2, Project No. P2-110, for an
amount not to exceed $2,443,316; and
B. Approve a contingency of$244,332 (10%).
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel; Shawver and
F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Jones; Kring; Murdock; Nelson; Nielsen and Sebourn
4. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
A. Approve a Service Agreement with Wastewater Solids Management, Inc.,
the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for Digester Cleaning and
Disposal, Specification No. S-2014-60313D, for period December 1, 2014
through November 30, 2015, for an amount not to exceed $1,161,230; and
B. Approve a contingency of$232,246 (20%)
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel; Shawver and
F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Jones; Kring; Murdock; Nelson; Nielsen and Sebourn
5. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
A. Award a Service Contract with Trane US, Inc., the lowest responsive and
responsible bidder, for the Overhaul of One (1) Trane Absorption Chiller
Unit, Specification No. S-2014-61413D, for a total amount not to exceed
$233,777.72; and
B. Approve a contingency of$23,377.77 (10%).
10/01/2014 OPeralions Committee Minutes Page 3 of
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel; Shawver and
F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Jones; Kring; Murdock; Nelson; Nielsen and Sebourn
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR:
Directors Jones, Kring and Vice Chair Nielsen arrived at 5:03 p.m.
Engineering Manager, Mike Puccio presented a PowerPoint and provided a brief history
on the Newhope-Placentia Trunk Replacement project, the reasons for the needed
replacement and described the phases required for completion. Questions were
received and answered by Mr. Puccio and Mr. Thompson regarding costs; in-house
engineering; and design-build possibilities.
6. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
A. Approve a Professional Design Services Agreement with Lee & Ro, Inc. to
provide engineering design services for Newhope-Placentia Trunk
Replacement, Project No. 2-72, for an amount not to exceed $8,468,232;
and
B. Approve a contingency of$846,823(10%).
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Jones; Kring; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel;
Nielsen; Shawver and F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Murdock; Nelson and Sebourn
Committee Vice-Chair Nelson arrived at 5:15 p.m.
Director Sebourn arrived at 5:22 p.m.
Rob Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the research of a new
technology for sludge/organics destruction and energy recovery through advanced
oxidation: Aquacritox® supercritical process. Mr. Thompson explained the process of
supercritical water oxidation, which would covert organic material to gases and
steam/electricity and has many other potential benefits. He further stated there is
opportunity for possible grants including a $5 million grant from the California Energy
10/01/2014 OPeralions Committee Minutes Page 4 of 6
Commission and the possible partnering opportunities with other agencies and private
firms.
Mr. Thompson answered questions from the Committee regarding: Impact to water
volumes to GWRS; water cleanliness and recycling; effects on anaerobic digesting;
reduction of costs; replacement of digesters; greenhouse gas reduction and
percentages of dry biosolids.
7. MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board of
Directors to:
Authorize staff to engage in contract negotiations with SCFI Group and other
potential partners to design, build, and/or operate an industrial-scale
demonstration facility for the AquaCritox® supercritical water oxidation process.
Authorize staff to seek grant funds and partnerships to offset the cost of this
research project.
AYES: Beamish; Curry; Jones; Kring; Levitt; R. Murphy; Nagel;
Nelson; Nielsen; Sebourn; Shawver and F. Smith
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Murdock
INFORMATION ITEMS:
8. Wastewater Treatment Operations
Mike Berdis, Operations Supervisor provided a PowerPoint presentation
regarding a broad overview of the treatment operations at Plants 1 & 2 including:
water resource recovery processes; secondary treatment; primary clarification
process; trickling filter operations; secondary final clarifier; biosolids recycling and
recovery processes; anaerobic digesting; belt filter operations; methane gas
recovery and uses; odor control issues and levels of service.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT:
Director of Engineering, Rob Thompson, did not provide a report.
Director of Facilities Support Services, Nick Arhontes, reported that OCSD is looking for
two chemical dosing station sites in the cities of Brea and Buena Park as there is a
possibility of losing the current leases.
10/01/2014 Operations Committee Minutes Page 5 of 6
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:55 p.m., Chair Beamish declared the meeting adjourned to the next scheduled
meeting of Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by,
Kelly A. Lore
Acting Clerk of the Board
10/01/2014 Operations Committee Minutes Page 6 of 6
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Meeting Date TOBd.of Dir.
11/05/14 11/1g/14
AGENDA REPORT IternNumber Item Numbe
z
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Ed Torres, Director of Operations and Maintenance
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF NEW BELT FILTER PRESS ROLLERS
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to ALFA LAVAL/ASHBROOK for one set of Belt
Filter Press Rollers, to replace a set that has failed on an existing Belt Filter Press,
located at Plant No. 2, for a total amount not to exceed $142,619.
SUMMARY
The Sanitation District currently performs routine overhauls on the Belt Filter Presses
and because of; usage, time, and wear, the rollers fail and can no longer be refurbished.
The purchase of these rollers is required in order to maintain a spare set in the
warehouse. These are Original Equipment Manufacturer parts needed to ensure that
consistency is maintained with all of the Belt Filter Presses used at both Plants.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
In May 2007, the Board authorized the sole source procurement of materials required to
maintain, service, or replace existing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
equipment in OCSD facilities that cannot be substituted due to functionality and
integration with existing systems, or are available from only one source of
manufacturers. ALFA LAVAUASHBROOK belt filter press parts are on the OEM
approved list.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
CEQA
This is not a project as defined by CEQA and therefore does not require CEQA action.
BUDGET/ PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE
This request complies with authority levels of the Sanitation District's Purchasing
Ordinance. This item has been budgeted. (Division 850, Object No. 54020, Line item
110).
Date of ADDroval Contract Amount Contingency
11/19/14 $142,619
Page 1 of 1
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Meeting Date TOBd.of Dir.
11/05/14 11/1g/14
AGENDA REPORT em Number Item Numbe
3
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Ed Torres, Director of Operations and Maintenance
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF NEW VALVES FOR DIGESTER C & Q
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Sole Source Purchase Order to CS-AMSCO, for the purchase of 28 valves
for Digester C & Q, located at Plant No. 2 for a total amount not to exceed $122,681.
SUMMARY
The Sanitation District currently performs routine cleaning of the Digesters. Two
digesters are scheduled to be cleaned this fiscal year. Because the digesters are in
continuous service all of the malfunctioning or aged valves will be replaced by
maintenance at the same time when the digesters are taken out of service for cleaning.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
In May 2007, the Board authorized the sole source procurement of materials required to
maintain, service, or replace existing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
equipment in OCSD facilities that cannot be substituted due to functionality and
integration with existing systems, or are available from only one source of
manufacturers. CS-Amsco is the sole distributor of DeZurik valves included in the OEM
approved list.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
CEQA
This is not a project as defined by CEQA and therefore does not require CEQA action.
BUDGET/ PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE
This request complies with authority levels of the Sanitation District's Purchasing
Ordinance. This item has been budgeted. (Division 850, Object No. 54020, Line item
110).
Date of ADDroval Contract Amount Continnencv
11/19/14 $122,681
Page 1 of 1
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Neebng Dare To ad.of Di,
11,05,14 --
AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number
4
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Robert Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
SUBJECT: ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE & GENERAL MANAGER'S WORK
PLAN OVERVIEW
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Informational Only.
SUMMARY
Strategic Plan - In November 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the 2014-2019
5-Year Strategic Plan after going through a collaborative effort to develop the Plan that
contains the Board of Director's new Vision, articulates the values of the organization
through a set of core values, outlines the risks facing the Sanitation District, lays out a
series of targets that define our Levels of Service, and a number of strategic goals
designed to support the service levels.
General Managers Work Plan — In September, 2014 the Board of Directors approved
the FY 2014-2015 General Manager's Work Plan. The Board has requested an
overview of the plan that was approved.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
Strategic Plan
September 2013 - The Board of Directors participated in a Strategic Planning
Workshop to create a new Board Vision and review past strategic
goals and progress.
October 2013 - The Board of Directors participated in a second Strategic Planning
Workshop to review recommended strategic goals.
November 2013 - The Board of Directors Adopted the 2014-2019 5-Year Strategic
Plan.
FY 14/15 General Manager's Work Plan
August 2014 - Presented the proposed General Manager's FY 2014-15 Work Plan
to the Steering Committee for review.
Page 1 of 2
September 2014 - The Board of Directors approved the Fiscal Year 2014-2015
General Manager's Work Plan.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Staff will provide an update on progress made with the Strategic Goals and levels of
service and provide an overview of the FY 14/15 General Manager's Work Plan.
CEQA
N/A
BUDGET/PURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE
N/A
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.coml with the
complete agenda package:
N/A
Page 2 of 2
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Neebng Dare TO ad.of Di,
11/05/14 --
AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number
s
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Robert Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
PROGRAM
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
SUMMARY
As part of the ongoing Board Member Orientation effort, OCSD staff will provide a
general presentation on specific topics that the Board of Directors requested via a survey
conducted in October 2013. Each month a different topic will be presented to both the
Operations Committee and Administration Committee.
This presentation will provide a brief and general overview of the Legislative Program.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The following informational presentations have been provided to both Operations and
Administration Committees:
• February - OCSD Budget and Finances
• March -Water Quality and OCSD's Disinfection Program
• April - Community Outreach Program
• May- Reserves, Investments and Financial Policies
• June - Collections
• July- Procurement Process
• September- Cessation of Disinfection of Ocean Discharge
• October- Wastewater Treatment
CEQA
N/A
Page 1 of 2
BUDGETIPURCHASING ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE
N/A
ATTACHMENT:
The following attachment(s) are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD
website(www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package and attachments:
None
Page 2 of 2
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Meeting Date To BA.of Dlr.
IS/05,14 --
AGENDA REPORT Item number Item Numbe
6
Orange County Sanitation District
FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
Originator: Ed Torres, Director of Operations and Maintenance
SUBJECT: QUARTERLY ODOR COMPLAINT REPORT
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
SUMMARY
During the first quarter of FY 2014/15 Plant No. 1 had six odor complaints, Plant No. 2
had one odor complaint and the collections system had eight odor complaints
attributable to OCSD. A brief summary of the odor complaints with a table tracking the
history is included as an attachment.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CEQA
N/A
BUDGET/PURCHASING AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE
N/A
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) are provided in hard copy and may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website
(www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package and attachments:
Fiscal Year 2014/15 First Quarter Odor Complaint Summary
Page 1 of 1
Return to Mends Report
Orange County Sanitation District
Odor Complaint Report
Fiscal Year 2014/15 — 1S1 Quarter
1. Plant No. 1 Treatment Facility Odor Complaint Summary
Plant No. 1 received six attributable odor complaints. One complaint was received
during the cleaning of grease from the splitter box channel. The other odor
complaints were general plant odors from the headworks, trickling filters, and drying
beds. After each complaint, staff made the necessary flow adjustments, plant odor
circuits, and searched for point sources that create fugitive odors. Staff also
conducted follow up visits and phone calls to the complainants to better address and
identify the odor sources.
2. Plant No. 2 Treatment Facility Odor Complaint Summary
Plant No. 2 received one attributable odor complaint during this quarter. Staff
reported that odors detected at the residence home resembled the smells from the
primary and secondary treatment processes. Staff verified that all process
scrubbers were operating correctly and searched for point sources that could create
fugitive odors. Staff continued to mitigate the secondary odors by changing out the
media in the trickling filter carbon odor scrubbers.
3. Collection Facilities Odor Complaints— First Quarter FY 2014/15
OCSD received eight attributable odor complaints due to the collection
system. Based on our current upstream sewage conditioning program, our goal for
level of service is 34 or fewer Complaints attributed to OCSD.
4. All Odor Complaints Tracking
1 st Qtr Cumulative
July 2014 to September 2014 FY �,14/15
14/15
Collections P1 P2 Total Total
Total Complaints 12 13 2 27 27
from Public
Complaints from 0 4 0 4 4
Emplo ees
Total Complaints 12 17 2 31 31
Received:
Total Complaints Received Breakdown
Attributable to 9 S 1 16 16
OCSD
Not OCSD 3 7 1 11 11
In House 0 4 0 4 4
Unknown Source 0 0 0 0 0
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.