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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-2016 Legislative Committee Agenda.pdf Orange County Sanitation District , Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Meeting of the 4:30 P.M. LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC Administration Building AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Conference Rooms A&B 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA (714) 593-7433 AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: DECLARATION OF QUORUM: PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to address the Committee on any item, please complete a Speaker's Form(located at the table at the back of the room) and submit it to the Clerk of the Board or notify the Clerk of the Board the item number on which you wish 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 Committee Members. These reports are for information only and require no action by the Committee. CONSENT CALENDAR: 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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.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 for the Committee meeting held on November 8, 2016. NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: 2. AB 2022 BOTTLING OF GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM WATER (Bob Ghirelli) RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: A. Authorize up to $15,000 for the initial testing and bottling of Groundwater Replenishment System water, with the cost of the bottling and testing to be 1214/16 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 1 of 3 equally shared between the Orange County Sanitation District and Orange County Water District; and B. Authorize the General Manager to approve the label for the first-run of GWRS water bottles. 3. APPROVAL OF 2017 LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY PLAN (Bob Ghirelli) RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative & Regulatory Plan. INFORMATION ITEMS: 4. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) 5. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. 12/14/16 Legislative and Public Affairs committee Page 2 of 3 Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's office at (714)593-7433 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Agenda Postino: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2, this agenda has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District's Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, and on the Sanitation District's website at www.ocsd.com, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all,or a majority of the Board of Directors,are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board. Agenda Description: The agenda provides a brief general description of each item of business to be considered or discussed. The recommended action does not indicate what action will be taken. The Board of Directors may take any action which is deemed appropriate. NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for 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(@,ocsd.com For any questions on the agenda, Committee members may contact staff at: General Manager James D. Herberg (714)593-7300 iherbem( ocsd.com Assistant General Manager Bob Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rohirelli0ocsd.com Principal Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral (714)593-7581 icabralaocsd.cgm Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Lon 714 593-7444 rlon ocsd.com 12/14/16 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 3 of 3 ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Orange County Sanitation District Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. A regular meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Chair Nielsen on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 8:05 a.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Vice-Chair Sebourn led the pledge of allegiance. A quorum was declared present, as follows: COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: John Nielsen, Board Chair Jim Herberg, General Manager Greg Sebourn, Board Vice-Chair Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager Robert Kiley, Director Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Peter Kim, Director Services Lucille Kring, Director Rob Thompson, Director of Engineering John Withers, Director Lorenzo Tyner, Director of Finance & Administrative Services COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Tina Knapp, Deputy Clerk of the Board Tom Beamish, Director Jennifer Cabral Daisy Covarrubias Alfredo Garcia Rebecca Long Mark Manzo OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel Diana Coronado, Association of California Cities - Orange County Eric O'Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via Teleconference) Heather Stratman, Association of California Cities - Orange County Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. 11/0a/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 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. General Manager Jim Herberg reported on an emergency incident to which the fire department responded yesterday, indicating that no one was injured and repairs are underway. CONSENT CALENDAR: 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) MOVED. SECONDED and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the regular Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting held on October 10, 2016. AYES: Kiley, Kim, Kring, Nielsen, Sebourn, and Withers NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Beamish NON-CONSENT CALENDAR: None. INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA CITIES -ORANGE COUNTY (ACC-OC) PRESENTATION (Rebecca Long) Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long introduced Heather Stratman from the Association of California Cities - Orange County (ACC-OC). Ms. Stratman provided a PowerPoint presentation, which reviewed the mission statement of ACC-OC, governance and membership of the organization, significant issues addressed by the organization in 2016, the organization's agenda and priorities for 2017, ACC-OC's commitment to collaboration with its stakeholder groups, and strengthening the partnership between ACC-OC and the Orange County Sanitation District. 3. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA), provided an update on the end of session legislative activities in Sacramento, especially the Governor's veto rate; election contests that will possibly affect the structure of the legislature; and an 11/0a/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 update on the status of the legislative calendar, contingent upon Proposition 54, which is anticipated to be released this week. Eric O'Donnell, TPA, provided an update on the Little Hoover Commission's recent meeting regarding climate change and how special districts are adapting to it, how special districts are funding these changes, what is needed from the State, and what special districts foresee as future issues. Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided a general update on federal legislative activity including the appropriations process; Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation; and the Energy Policy Modernization Act (S. 2012), including drought and WaterSense provisions. Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long reported that staff is in the process on developing a public relations and marketing plan for the bottling of recycled water (AB 2022) and determining what might be used as the container for the bottled water. Ms. Long also reported that response to the Sanitation District's AquaCritox grant application is still pending. Ms. Long responded to a question from the Committee regarding what types of containers are being considered for bottling the recycled water. Director Kiley provided the name of a contact at Yorba Linda Water District who has been coordinating the bottling of water for that agency. Principal Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral indicated that contracts with TPA and ENS will be renewed for the coming year, pursuant to the current contract, and a Request for Proposal will be released next year as the current contract will be expiring at that time. Ms. Cabral indicated that the presentation by ACC-OC today, much like the presentation from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies last month and additional prior discussions and presentations, is in preparation for the Committee review of the Legislative Plan in December. Mr. Herberg reported that an educational leadership symposium for Orange County elected officials is in the early stages of development and he will bring more details to the Board in the near future. Director Kiley indicated that this might be his last meeting subject to the results of the recall vote in his jurisdiction and thanked the Committee for the opportunity to serve. Chair Nielsen indicated that this meeting is his last Legislative Committee meeting and offered his appreciation for the work of the Committee. 4. PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral) Ms. Cabral did not provide a report. 11/0a/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: None. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nielsen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Meeting, Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. Submitted by: Tina Knapp Deputy Clerk of the Board 11/Oa/2016 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 4 at LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Mel J14/16ce Tg12/14/l6r AGENDA REPORT IternNumber IemNumber z Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: AB 2022 BOTTLING OF GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT SYSTEM WATER GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION A. Authorize up to $15,000 for the initial testing and bottling of Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) water, with the cost of the bottling and testing to be equally shared between the Orange County Sanitation District and Orange County Water District; and B. Authorize the General Manager to approve the label for the first-run of GWRS water bottles. BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District), Orange County Water District (OCWD), and WateReuse co-sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 2022 (Gordon) to allow for the bottling of advanced purified water for educational purposes, which was signed into law in 2016. AB 2022 takes effect in January 2017 and the Sanitation District and OCWD would like to be positioned to be the first entity in the western hemisphere to bottle advanced purified water. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders • Use all practical and effective means for recovering wastewater for reuse • Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies PROBLEM The provisions of AB 2022 specify that to bottle advanced purified water the proposed label for the bottle must be submitted to the Department of Public Health at least 30 days before bottling and results of samples of the water must be submitted at least seven days before bottling. To ensure that the Sanitation District and OCWD can bottle water in January 2017, labels need to be submitted to the Department of Public Health in December. Page 1 of 3 Also, to ensure that label designs are finalized before January, staff requests that the General Managers for of the Sanitation District and OCWD be given authorization to review and approve the label for the first-run Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) water bottles. Subsequent labels will be brought before the GWRS Steering Committee for review and approval. The GWRS Steering Committee will review and approve any future marketing plans, including budgets, for the bottled water, in addition to plans for commemorating the GWRS loth Anniversary. Staff will present a marketing plan and budgets for both efforts to the GWRS Steering Committee in early 2017. PROPOSED SOLUTION Ensure that the Sanitation District and OCWD are leaders in the industry by once again being the first. This time, positioning our agencies to be the first entity in the western hemisphere to bottle advanced purified water. Both of these requested actions are within the General Manager's Delegation of Authority, however, staff brings this request to the Board of Directors (Board)due to the uniqueness of this effort, in addition to the active participation of the Sanitation District in co- sponsoring AB 2022. TIMING CONCERNS To ensure that the Sanitation District and OCWD can bottle water in January 2017, labels need to be submitted to the Department of Public Health in December. Also, to ensure that label designs are finalized before January, staff requests that the General Managers of the Sanitation District and OCWD be given authorization to review and approve the label for the first-run GWRS water bottles. Subsequent labels will be brought before the GWRS Steering Committee for review and approval. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION The bottling of GWRS water would not occur or would be delayed. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS 2016 - Various actions and informational updates to the Board and Committee regarding the status of AB 2022 and lobbying efforts. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The OCWD laboratory regularly samples and analyzes GWRS water, which will be coordinated with the requirements in AB 2022 that sample results meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. In addition, Riviera Beverages, located in Garden Grove, is a fully certified drinking water bottler and will ensure that bottling meets all state Page 2 of 3 and federal requirements, such as ozonation and sanitation requirements. To further ensure the water quality, OCW D staff will collect a sample of the GW RS water as it is off- loaded from the transportation truck, before it is bottled, to ensure there was no contamination in the transportation process. AB 2022 only allows for bottles to be up to eight ounces and only 1,000 gallons can be bottled per year. Riviera Beverages can bottle in small batches and in bottles that are eight ounces or less, which meets the provisions of AB 2022. Of the seven bottlers contacted, no other bottler could meet the small eight-ounce size or small batch amount unless custom bottles were designed at a significantly higher cost than Riviera's amount. This budget request includes the cost for the initial test run, transporting, bottling, labeling and delivery. These expenses are expected to be less than $15,000. In addition, Riviera's bottles are made 100 percent of recycled plastics and can be recycled. CEQA N/A FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS This request complies with authority levels of the Sanitation District's Purchasing Ordinance. This item will be funded in the approved FY 16/17 operating budget. (Line item: Other, Section 6, Page 12.) ATTACHMENTS The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package: N/A Page 3 of 3 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Ming D Tg i Bd Or r AGENDA REPORT I em Number Item Number 3 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF 2017 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY PLAN GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) annually approves a Legislative Plan (Plan)which provides a list of key issues for the Sanitation District's staff, management, Board of Directors and legislative advocates to follow during the legislative year. This year, we have added a regulatory component as legislation and regulations work hand-in-hand. Additionally, the Plan provides direction to the staff and management on how to coordinate advocacy efforts with wastewater associations and state and federal legislative bodies. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders PROBLEM Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware that the Sanitation District is more than a wastewater treatment plant — treating and sending water to the ocean. The Sanitation District is an environmentally engaged organization which recycles more than 50 percent of the wastewater. Additionally, to help meet the goal of 100 percent recycling, the Sanitation District uses the byproducts from the wastewater treatment process to produce biosolids and energy used to help run the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. PROPOSED SOLUTION Approve the 2017 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. Advise staff to work with Local, State and Federal officials to advocate the Sanitation District's legislative interests and help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation District, the Page 1 of 2 wastewater industry and the community as a whole. To assist in our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one- on-one meetings and trips to D.C. and Sacramento. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not work with the Local, State and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, this could affect our chances of receiving grant funding. 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: • OCSD 2017 Legislative & Regulatory Plan Page 2 of 2 ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT 2017 Legislative and Regulatory Plan AN, 2 /y i f �1 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Team OCSD Staff Rebecca Long (714)593-7444 rlong@ocsd.com Senior Public Affairs Specialist Jennifer Cabral (714)593-7581 jcabral@ocsd.com Principal Public Affairs Specialist Robert Ghirelli (714)593-7400 rghirelli@ocsd.com Assistant General Manager Jim Herberg (714)593-7110 jherberg@ocsd.com General Manager Federal Lobbying Team Eric Sapirstein (202)466-3755 esap@ensresources.com ENS Resources State Lobbying Team Cori Williams (949)399-9050 cwilliams@TownsendPA.com Townsend Public Affairs Eric O'Donnell (949)399-9050 eodonnell@TownsendPA.com Townsend Public Affairs Christopher Townsend (949)399-9050 ctownsend@TownsendPA.com Townsend Public Affairs Regulatory Advocacy Team James E. Colston, Director of Environmental (714)593-7450 jcolston@ocsd.com Service Tom Meregillano,Senior Regulatory Specialist (714)593-7457 tmeregillano@ocsd.com 2 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan Introduction The Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD) recognizes the need for an active state and federal legislative and regulatory advocacy program to ensure that the interests of the ratepayers and the Board of Directors are protected and supported.Towards that end,the legislative and regulatory team actively engages, pursues and monitors activities in California and Washington, D.C. and takes appropriate action in support or opposition of legislative and regulatory initiatives. Each year,the Board of Directors adopts a legislative plan,which is a summary of OCSD's goals, key issues,and policy positions.This year,we have added a regulatory component as legislation and regulations work hand in hand.The following legislative and regulatory policies have been developed taking into consideration OCSD,the wastewater industry,OCSD's member agencies and policy needs.These Board-approved policies serve as OCSD's official positions of support or opposition on issues of importance to the agency.The legislative and regulatory plan is a dynamic document,adopted annually and changing to meet the needs of the Board as well as the federal,state,and local policymaking agendas. The legislative and regulatory team, in conjunction with the Board, may take appropriate action consistent with the legislative and regulatory plan, including,but not limited to, drafting letters, lobbying legislators,regulators, and staff,and crafting bills and proposed regulations. Procedure for Taking Positions on Bills and Proposed Regulations 1. Staff will track bills and proposed regulations of greatest interest to OCSD, particularly those that fall within the goals and objectives identified by the Board of Directors and included in this plan.Staff will monitor bills and proposed regulations being watched by similar agencies in Orange County(Irvine Ranch Water District,South Orange County Water Authority,Orange County Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County,etc.)as well as state,federal and national associations such as California Association of Sanitation Agencies(CASA),Southern California Association of POTWs(SCA),the California Special Districts Association (CSDA)and the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA)and National Association of California Water Agencies(NACWA),the Association of California Cities Orange County (ACC-OC),and the League of California Cities(LOCO). 2. For those bills and proposed regulations that are being tracked,where there is clear policy direction stated in the Board-adopted legislative and regulatory plan or adopted goals,staff can send letters to legislators and regulators and give direction to the lobbyists to advocate that position. 3. Where a particular issue is not urgent,all legislative letters will be hand-signed by the Board Chair or Vice- Chair. If a matter is urgent,staff may use the electronic signature,so long as a clear policy direction exists and the General Manager or Designee approves the letter. 4. When a bill does not fall within the scope of the legislative and regulatory plan or is a controversial issue, staff will seek direction from the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee. 5. If a bill does not fall within the scope of the legislative plan, but the Association of California Cities— Orange County(ACCOC),California Association of Sanitation Agencies(CASA),the California Special Districts Association (CSDA)or the National Association of Clean Water Agencies(NACWA) has an adopted position,staff may follow this position but must inform the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee of such action at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 3 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan Guiding Priorities • Funding assistance for OCSD projects through grants,appropriations,or other means; • Maintaining local control over governance of special districts and other local entities; • Oppose additional, redundant regulatory requirements. Federal Priorities • Advocate for full funding of the Water Resources Development Act(WRDA)water infrastructure provisions and expedited compliance of provisions contained in enacted bill IS.2848/H.R. 5303). • Focus upon Sanitary Sewer Overflow grants assistance,Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)assistance,green infrastructure and water recycling. • If the Energy Policy Modernization Act IS.2012) is enacted,work with U.S. Department of Energy to secure funding assistance for OCSD energy water nexus project demonstrations. • Work with Congress and United States Environmental Protection Agency to advance implementation of the WaterSense Program to increase the use of energy efficient technologies at the Sanitation District. • Monitor federal agency grants for funding of alternative renewable energy, bioenergy,water recycling, biosolids beneficial use, and beach protection. • Work with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers to help develop"programmatic permits"which will make it possible to have a single permit to support multiple projects that can offer the potential to reduce costs to ratepayers. • Work with the congressional delegation to advance drought relief legislation (5.2533)that promotes the funding of the Sanitation District water recycling and other conservation projects. Seek to secure adequate funding of programs authorized in drought relief legislation to facilitate funding of Sanitation District project priorities. • Work with the congressional delegation to promote explicit Sanitation District needs as part of any new infrastructure policy developed by the next Congress and administration. Support legislation and regulations that provides below market bonding rate assistance to construct treatment facilities such as infrastructure banks. Focus should be on energy recovery technologies,core infrastructure assistance related wastewater treatment,funding of final stage of water recycling needs,and related demonstration of evolving technologies to address brine line needs. • During the fiscal year 2018 appropriations, identify opportunities to secure federal support of Sanitation District project needs as part of any budget decision making process for the coming fiscal year.Oppose restrictions on tax-exempt financing for public infrastructure. • Support at least$2 billion in annual federal appropriations to Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund(SRF). Work with Congress and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to streamline the Clean Water Act permitting processes. Provide assurances that Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund appropriations are not transferred to Safe Drinking Water SRF needs.Additionally,support legislation to revise the SRF allocation formula to allow for appropriate and fair share of funding to California consistent with USEPA study(20%increase in share). • Support efforts to remove state volume caps on water and wastewater private activity bonds to allow for innovative financing options such as public private partnerships. • Work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on emerging regulatory issues of concern including integrated plans and monitoring effluent limitations and guidelines including but not limited to the dental amalgam program. 4 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan • OCSD will continue to advocate for federal policies that minimize regulatory burdens imposed upon communities and public agencies that seek to adopt programs for the giveback of pharmaceuticals that will result in the reduction of disposal of pharmaceuticals through wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally,OCSD will advocate for federal funding of programs currently authorized that support the development of pharmaceutical management programs, including education. State Priorities • Secure funding through grants and legislation for the final expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System and infrastructure and collection improvements at the Fountain Valley, Plant No. 1 and Huntington Beach, Plant No. 2. • Oppose legislation or any regulations that would mandate volumetric pricing of wastewater. • Continue to monitor the state budget and actively protect local property taxes. • OCSD will work with legislators who introduce legislation such as SB 163(Hertzberg,2015)in order to ensure that no unrealistic regulations are placed on wastewater treatment facilities,including OCSD. • Oppose state mandates,regulations,or legislation such as AB 1217(Daly,2015)that set,alter,or otherwise modified the governance structure of special districts,joint powers authorities,or other local government entities. • Support efforts to competitively seek funding for projects that meet the state's goals of expanded water supply and energy reduction. • Where appropriate, pursue state funding for critical aging infrastructure,through funding sources made available through any agency including but not limited to the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources. • Support Integrated Regional Water Management planning efforts in the Santa Ana River watershed. • Oppose additional and redundant regulatory requirements for biosolids. • Support legislation or regulations that would prevent the disposing of drugs down the drain and would provide for alternative safe disposal of unwanted/unused medications. • Monitor pension reform legislation for clean-up bills and relevant proposed regulations. • Support the state's efforts to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of Local Agency Formation Commissions. • Support efforts to reform the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)to streamline current procedures and regulations that streamline current procedures and regulations for projects to refurbish or replace existing infrastructure facilities. • Actively monitor the Little Hoover Commission hearings related to climate change adaptation as it relates to OCSD reserves, property taxes and fee revenues to ensure that the interests of OCSD are protected. 5 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan Appendices 6 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan r- r Federal Tactics Initiative Action 1. Identify and advise on federal • Schedule meetings with federal agency stakeholders and senior funding opportunities for OCSD officials in Washington D.C.and district offices to build support for infrastructure projects OCSD priority projects • Develop white papers etc.to justify requested assistance 2. Seek funding assistance to • Meet with U.S. Department of Energy staff to discuss funding advance recovery of energy and opportunities and options related energy water nexus other resources from biosolids Work with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies to advance energy and water efficient technologies related to WaterSense 3. Seek funding for water • Develop priorities and disseminate to OCSD congressional infrastructure enhancement delegation • Advocate before congressional infrastructure committees and applicable Executive Branch officials on proposals to provide enhanced alternative water infrastructure financing • Work with Washington-based stakeholders to support policies • Work with Congress and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on proposals to provide enhanced alternative water infrastructure financing 4. Support unrestricted public • Work with NACWA and CASA in support of continued use of tax- financing of water quality and exempt financing and feasible innovative financing approaches supply needs such as infrastructure banks to supplement traditional funding approaches • Submit testimony on tax-exempt financing and where possible present testimony 5. Support drought relief • Work with delegation and regulators to ensure incorporation of legislation and regulation that new programs for water recycling assistance supports water recycling • Work with NACWA,CASA,and ACWA to advance priority assistance 6. Work with federal agencies on • Work with U.S. Department of Energy on alternative energy permitting issues permitting issues • Work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on environmental site assessment issues • Advocate NPDES permits from 5-years to at least 10-years • Seek introduction of amendment to Clean Water Act to address conflict language to allow qualified candidates to serve on California Water Boards 7 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan State Tactics Initiative Action 1. Develop a proactive legislative • As legislation is introduced between January and February,and as and regulatory advocacy bills are amended, identify legislation that has potential to benefit agenda or impact OCSD • Identify proposed federal,state,and local regulations that are introduced that have potential to benefit or impact OCSD • Recommend positions on identified legislation and proposed regulation in alignment with OCSD's legislative and regulatory agenda • Create and continually update a legislative and regulatory matrix to track identified pieces of priority legislation and proposed regulations • Schedule advocacy days in Sacramento with legislators and committee staff and regulators • Continue an active letter writing campaign in support or opposition of priority legislation and proposed regulations • Schedule meetings with legislators, regulators,stakeholders and senior officials in Sacramento and district offices to build support for OCSD priority projects • Participate in CASA's legislative committees and Regulatory Workgroup 2. Compile a comprehensive list • Meet with EMT to discuss future capital projects and priorities of Capital Improvement • Match capital improvements with funding opportunities based on projects project eligibility 3. Monitor and advise on possible • Proactively engage on the drafting of grant funding guidelines,and funding opportunities, provide input to drafting agency or committee to ensure eligibility including but not limited to and competitiveness of OCSD projects and priorities funding through Proposition 1. 0 Proactively engage on proposed legislation and regulations that would have an impact on the implementation of funding programs • Identify funding opportunities and provide recommendations for eligible projects. Create an advocacy and outreach schedule on the planning and execution of efforts to seek funds 8 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan 4. Monitor and advise on funding • Monitor future solicitations and track guideline changes to the available through Cap and Water-Energy grant: a $19 million opportunity Trade • Identify eligible and competitive projects and programs e Create a schedule on planning and execution of efforts to seek funds,including outreach and advocacy strategy S. Monitor and advise on energy a Track energy related grant opportunities or other resource recovery • Identify potential projects for funding, including, but not limited to: related funding opportunities alternative energy, biosolids to energy conversion,organic waste (high strength food waste and fats,oils, and grease)to energy conversion,and greenhouse gas reduction projects e Ensure wastewater interests are protected as significant decisions are made related to renewable energy production financing, mandates, climate change goals, programs and continued efforts to extend the state's emissions reduction target • Schedule meetings with local delegation as well as key members to discuss project benefits and funding opportunity 6. Schedule and attend advocacy • Educate current administration, key staff,and agencies on priority and outreach meetings to projects and advocate for funding allocations that align with OCSD provide OCSD project updates priorities • Schedule stakeholder meetings to build support for projects • Hold advocacy meetings in coordination with funding opportunities and project timelines • Work with relevant budget committees, budget sub-committees, policy committees,and their staff to advocate for funding allocations that align with OCSD priorities • Provide full briefings and updates to Orange County legislative delegation and relevant members on OCSD priority projects 7. Regulatory relief to allow for • Outreach with U.S. EPA, Department of Toxic Substances,State water recycling and expansion Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control of GWRS for all water flowing Board,the governor's office, legislative leadership and other into Plant appropriate stakeholders No. 2 8. Development and advocacy for a Create and update a legislative matrix to track identified pieces of design-build legislation legislation focused on design build legislation targeted at OCSD projects Schedule briefings and updates with Orange County legislative delegation to discuss upcoming design build legislation 9. Development and a Work in conjunction with CASA and SOAP to outreach,educate and implementation of a statewide develop an advocacy strategy for regulatory framework that will biosolids land application support statewide objectives to manage biosolids land application management policy 9 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan Legislative and Regulatory Policies 1. Air Quality:OCSD is committed to complying with federal,state, and local air quality laws, rules, regulations,and policies. a. Support air quality legislations, regulations,rules,and policies that emphasize the use of advanced technologies and promote greater flexibility and financial incentives to reduce air emission. b. Support measures that maintain and enhance local decision-making authority,where appropriate, in the development and implementation of air quality attainment strategies. c. Support legislation and regulations to ensure greater consistency between the California and Federal Clean Air Acts. d. Support strategies that clearly demonstrate and provide for the most cost-effective means for meeting air quality goals. e. Continue to commit to adhere to OCSD's odor policy to assure that OCSD is a good neighbor to the surrounding communities. 2. Biosolids:OCSD strives to beneficially use biosolids through multiple management options performed at reasonable costs that are protective of public health and the environment and offer cost-effective alternatives to land application. a. Support legislation, regulations,and policies that support the beneficial use of biosolids on agricultural lands,California Healthy Soils Initiatives, mine reclamation,fire ravaged lands, superfund sites, brownfields, overgrazed lands,carbon sequestration,and wetland restoration. b. Support policies that encourage biosolids product use by horticulture,commercial, and residential markets. c. Oppose legislation and regulations that imposes new mandates, bans,or restrict the use of biosolids for land application in any region,county,or state. d. Support alternative energy legislation, regulation,and policy that encourage use of biosolids as a renewable energy resource. 3. Grant Funding:OCSD is committed to advancing the state of knowledge in the treatment and management of wastewater through the application of innovative and alternative technologies. To this end,OCSD supports grants assistance to offset its research,special projects,and capital improvement projects. a. Support appropriations legislation, bonds, programs,and projects that provide funding for infrastructure construction and rehabilitation,special studies and research or projects relating to security, environmental education,water quality,wastewater processing, urban runoff,water recycling, resource recovery,and alternative energy. 10 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan b. Support projects that provide for public benefit over projects that are primarily intended for private benefit or gain. c. Oppose proposals placing further requirements on grant recipients that return low value for high administrative costs. 4. Labor Relations:OCSD is committed to the exercise of and provision of orderly procedures for the administration of employer-employee relations, including, but not limited to, meeting and conferring in good faith with recognized employee organizations regarding the wages, hours of work,and other terms and conditions of employment. As Congress considers reforming the federal tax code, many of the provisions subject to reform may impact labor relations. a. Support measures to reform current workers compensation formulas to rely on higher thresholds for compensation or a proportionate exposure formula. b. Support health insurance reform that does not create additional financial burdens on special districts. c. Support measures to ease applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act(FLSA)on public agencies. d. Oppose any measure imposing compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to public employees. e. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local bargaining table. f. Oppose efforts reducing local control over public employee disputes and imposing regulations on an outside agency. g. Oppose any measure granting public employees the right to strike. h. Oppose a new mandatory Social Security tax for public employers and public employees. S. Planning:OCSD ensures the long-range planning of capital improvement programs in order to deliver the highest quality facilities. a. Support reform of existing state, regional,and local planning processes only if directly linked to reforms in the current revenue and tax structure of state and local governments. b. Support measures that provide new revenues for growth management and the public facilities necessary to support expected growth. c. Support proposals encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies,especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals. d. Oppose legislation consolidating special districts that fail to address the concerns of cities affected by the proposed consolidation. e. Oppose measures that prevent or restrict the ability of cities or special districts to participate in the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG)sub-regional process. 11 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan 6. Public Health: Protection of public health is OCSD's core mission. OCSD will work cooperatively with county and state health officers to assure local health protection. a. Support hazard mitigation,emergency response, planning, and recovery through direct legislation, policy directives,and funding toward floodplain security within the Santa Ana River watershed. b. Support(generally)measures that provide for improved public health through regulation. c. Support the protection of public health through the construction and implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technology. 7. Public Works:OCSD is committed to the achievement of effective and efficient projects that provide wastewater treatment services that benefit its ratepayers. a. Support measures that provide funding and support to publicly owned treatment works and sewage collection systems. b. Support legislation and regulation that allow public agencies to procure goods and services in manners similar to private industry,thereby reducing overall costs of delivery. c. Support legislation and regulation that improve the Utility Underground Service Alert Program in order to improve coordination,identification, minimize damage,minimize environmental risks, and minimize cost exposure to publicly owned facilities when contractors are performing sub- surface work. d. Support a comprehensive response to the state's electricity and natural gas shortages that provide a stable energy supply, respects the ability of municipalities to provide power, recognizes that infrastructure (i.e. emergency and standby generators)exists that could be employed temporarily during periods with minimal air quality impact and protects ratepayers(including cities and special districts)against dramatic rate increases and statewide power outages. e. Support legislation and regulation that allow OCSD to utilize the Best Value Design/Build option for the construction of public works projects. f. Oppose Buy American mandates legislation that would increase project costs or prevent the use of the most innovative technologies. S. Revenue and Taxation:Track pending legislation to ensure OCSD remains in compliance with the government code as it pertains to wastewater system user fees and property tax revenues and the investment of public funds. a. Support measures leading to a greater financial independence from the state and would result in greater stability and predictability in local government budgeting. b. Oppose measures that impose mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits. c. Oppose legislation that shifts tax revenues away from local governments without the adequate provision of a constitutionally guaranteed backfill to offset the lost revenues of those local governments. 12 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan d. Oppose measures that allow state retention of existing local revenue sources, including the special district share of property tax,sales tax,vehicle license fees,and rate payer fees. e. Oppose the use of revenues traditionally used to fund the delivery of municipal services to fund programs for which the state is responsible, particularly the courts, health,and welfare programs. 9. Special Districts:OCSD supports the maintenance of special districts to provide specific services, in response to citizen's demands, in a cost effective manner. a. Support outreach to local, regional,and state elected officials to foster a greater understanding regarding the critical relationship between adequate reserves and the successful short-and-long- term operation of water and wastewater agencies. b. Support the work of the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA), California Association of Sanitation Agencies(CASA), and California Special Districts Association (CSDA) in any future discussions or negotiations pertaining to the legislative and budget issues relative to preserving control of members' reserves. c. Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing and operations. d. Oppose measures that create or grant powers to sub-regional or regional bodies that would result in an infringement on clearly local concerns. e. Oppose any administrative or legislative efforts to access or transfer any reserve funds held by water and wastewater districts. f. Oppose the imposition of unfunded, mandated programs on local governments. g. Oppose efforts that diminish OCSD's ability to govern efficiently and effectively, including expanding the size of the Board of Directors. 10. Water quality and Supply:OCSD is committed to participating collaboratively in the protection of regional water resources for the benefit of the people we serve. a. Support(generally)measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region, including drought relief legislation. b. Support measures that would increase funding for water reuse technologies,including support for the Groundwater Replenishment System project by the Orange County Water District and OCSD to create new water supplies through recycling. c. Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water. d. Support policy development,funding, and research for addressing urban runoff,stormwater,and beach closures, including funding for studies that identify the sources of bacterial,viral and other contaminants and human pathogens. e. Support measures to evaluate water quality standards,as needed,to ensure the objectives are appropriately protecting the designated use. f. Support legislation and regulation that would direct U.S. EPA levied fines to remain in the region. 13 January 2017 Orange County Sanitation District 2017 Legislative&Regulatory Plan g. Support legislation and regulation that clarifies the use of Clean Water Act citizen suits that are frivolous and/or abusive of congressional intent. h. Support measures addressing non-point source pollution in order to protect our ocean water quality and provide funding to mitigate its effects, including integrated permitting approaches that can reduce costs and achieve water quality improvements while allowing permits to be tailored to the needs of Orange County and its watershed. i. Support national aspirational goal through legislation that promotes improved water use efficiency in construction of water efficient buildings and communities. j. Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state and federal assistance in evaluating and implementing new programs and technologies and increasing public awareness of water use efficiency. k. Support legislation and regulation that provide for the development of the watershed approach, including watershed management plans and watershed-based permitting. I. Support legislation and regulation that necessitate the responsible use of water in residential, commercial,and industrial areas. m. Support environmental guidelines on government agencies that would safeguard the region while providing increased protections. n. Oppose the imposition of statewide/nationwide fees for environmental cleanup that is privately caused or regional in nature(e.g.,when the nexus between those responsible for environmental abuse and those required to pay for cleanup or mitigation is absent(. o. Support measures to provide federal,state,and local assistance to support urban runoff studies and urban runoff reduction. 14 January 2017 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE "'ed11411°ae To 9d_of W. AGENDA REPORT I em Number I em Number 4 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Bob Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only. BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District's (Sanitation District) legislative affairs program includes advocating Sanitation District legislative interests, Sanitation District sponsored legislation where appropriate and seeking federal/state funding for projects. Staff will provide an update on recent legislative activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders • Use all practical and effective means for recovering wastewater for reuse • Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies • Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns PROBLEM Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware that the Sanitation District is more than a wastewater treatment plant — treating and sending water to the ocean. The Sanitation District is an environmentally engaged organization which recycles more than 50 percent of the wastewater. Additionally, to help meet the goal of 100 percent recycling, the Sanitation District uses the byproducts from the wastewater treatment process to produce biosolids and energy used to help run the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. PROPOSED SOLUTION Work with Local, State and Federal officials to advocate the Sanitation District's legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation Page 1 of 2 District, the wastewater industry and the community as a whole. To assist in our relationship building activities, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings and trips to D.C. and Sacramento. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not work with the Local, State and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, this could affect our chances of receiving grant funding. 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: • Federal Update - ENS Resources • State Update -Townsend Public Affairs • Grant Matrix • Legislative Matrix Page 2 of 2 i1i �V RESOURCES MEMORANDUM TO: Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: November 28, 2016 SUBJECT: Washington Update With the election returns returning the federal government to one party control,the work of organizing a new Executive Branch and the 115th Congress began in earnest during the past month. Only the outlines of the incoming Trump Administration are known at this point and the structure of the incoming Congress appears to hold a handful of changes with the expected return of the Republican and Democratic Leaders. While efforts to put in place a new government started,Congress remains occupied in finalizing a federal budget and acting on a handful of outstanding bills,including a Water Resources Development Act, Energy Policy Modernization Act, and California drought relief measures. Congress is seeking to complete business by the time the current stopgap spending bill expires December 9,but may find it needs a couple of days beyond this date to complete the budget. White House and Congressional Transitions Begin In Earnest The Trump Transition Team continues to move forward with Cabinet decision making. Decisions on whom might become the next USEPA Administrator remain a question,but any nominee is expected to follow through on pledges to reverse funding for climate change programs and instead focus the agency on ways to reduce regulatory burdens on public and private sector stakeholders. One of the expected first steps to be taken is a revocation of the Clean Water Rule that has generated substantial opposition from industry and local and state officials. In addition,the agency is expected to play an important role in the development of an infrastructure policy as President-Elect Trump has restated his priority to rebuild America and to direct the agency to focus on two priorities; protecting the air and water quality. At the Department ENS Resources,Inc. 110114-Street,N.W./Washington,D.C.20005 Phone 202.466.3155/Telefax 202,466,3707 of the Interior,the parlor game of speculating whom might assume the role of USBR Commissioner,with responsibilities for funding water recycling projects,runs the gamut from congressional committee staff steeped in water resources policy to local water agency managers. However, any appointment decisions will likely await the confirmation of a Secretary of the Interior. Currently oil tycoon,William Lucas of Colorado,is considered a leading contender for the position. Congressional organizational efforts are much further along. First,both Speaker Paul Ryan and his deputy Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will return as Republican leaders. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is anticipated to secure another two year appointment,but not without a challenge from Tim Ryan of Ohio,who at forty-three years of age has called for a generational shift in the leadership. Pelosi moved quickly to appoint a crop of younger members to the Democrat congressional leadership, including Eric Swalwell of California who will sit in the powerful position of Vice Chair of the Policy Committee that has been a stepping stone to party leadership. The Senate will be led by returning Majority Leader,Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Charles Schumer of New York,who will be the Democrat's leader. While committee assignments remain to be decided,the chairs and ranking member positions are known at this writing. In the House, the key clean water Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will see Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania return as chair and Peter DeFazio of Oregon will remain as ranking Democrat. Representative Grace Napolitano will return as the ranking Democrat on the clean water subcommittee. The chair of this subcommittee is unknown as Bob Gibbs of Ohio is termed out. The other important decision is whether Alan Lowenthal will be tapped to sit on the committee. He is making an effort to be appointed. Incoming freshman Lou Correia might have an opportunity to be selected, but usually this committee slot is assigned to a more senior Member. Representative Mimi Walters is expected to remain on the committee and will play an important role in the anticipated infrastructure policy debate. In the Senate,the Committee on Environment and Public Works will see earth shattering changes as both Chairman Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma and ranking Member Barbara Boxer leave their respective leadership roles. In their place will be Chairman John Barrasso of Wyoming and ranking Member Tom Carper of Delaware. These new leaders will likely mean the committee will have a moderate tone on legislating environmental policy with less focus on climate change issues. Instead,the committee will most likely focus on infrastructure policy and ways in which to address the use of fossil energy resources. The outstanding question is whether Senator-Elect Kamala Harris will opt to sit on the committee; an assignment of a Californian has been almost a given for the past three decades because of the oversized role the committee plays in matters of concern to California ranging from water pollution to transportation policies. ENS Resources,Inc. 110114-Street,N.W./Washington,D.C.20005 Phone 202.466.3155/Telehx 202,466,3707 Fiscal Year 2017 Spending Priorities In a nod to the incoming Trump Administration,the Republican congressional leadership agreed to delay final action on a budget for the current year until the end of March 2017. This means that a stopgap spending bill,maintain current spending levels will be in effect beginning December 9. The net result of this decision is to allow the new Congress and Administration to implement budget changes to the current year as the Administration also develops a fiscal year 2018 budget request that will be transmitted to Congress in February. According to recent statements from the transition team officials,revisions to the 2017 budget will likely target spending priorities associated with climate change programs. Programs like the clean water SRF are not expected to be adversely impacted by budgetary revisions given President-Elect Trump's statements in support of infrastructure spending. If this position is realized the SRF should receive$1.3 billion,providing California's SRF with approximately$100 million. Drought Relief Legislation Continues to Pose Challenges to find Compromise Senator Feinstein and Representative McCarthy continue to try and find common ground on a drought relief measure. At this stage,differences continue to center on funding commitments for water recycling and other infrastructure needs,including forty year SRF loans and efforts to impose increased pumping of water from the Central Valley Project during times of storm events. Hopes to tie a drought agreement to an ongoing national energy bill conference committee (S. 2012) appear questionable because of serious differences among energy bill conferees that makes a final energy bill passage remote. This perspective was vividly illustrated late last week when the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources leadership issued a press release stating it was up to the House to come to the table and negotiate. As a result,the only remaining prospect to move drought legislation would be to tie it to an end of year spending bill which could limit the nature of any relief measures to noncontroversial matters that would avoid potential opposition in the Senate. Water Resources Development Act Last Hope for Water Infrastructure in 2016 The Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA),remains the most promising legislative effort that could be enacted. As of this writing, the House and Senate conference committee continues to work on settling differences between the two versions (H.R. 5303/S. 2848). The key issues of debate center on the Senate effort to include provisions to make water recycling a priority for the SRF and WIFIA programs, authorizing support for integrated permit planning,and the adoption of a water infrastructure trust fund. These provisions are considered by the House negotiators outside the realm of WRDA that is usually a Corps of ENS Resources,Inc. 110114-Street,N.W./Washington,D.C.20005 Phone 202.466.3755/Telehx 202,466,3707 Engineers bill. However,the priority that Senators Inhofe and Boxer hold for infrastructure assistance within their bill is high. Therefore,we expect that should a WRDA agreement be reached,provisions supportive of water recycling and enhanced permitting approaches to reduce costs to public agencies have a sound chance of becoming part of a final bill. ENS Resources,Inc. 110114-Street,N.W./Washington,D.C.20005 Phone 202.466.3155/Telehx 202,466,3707 TOWNSEND PUBLIC AFFAIRS — TPA .... To: Orange County Sanitation District From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Date: November 23, 2016 Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report State Political Update On November 8, nearly 13 million Californians cast their ballots in the 2016 General Election. In addition to the race for President, voters elected a new United States Senator, weighed in on seventeen statewide propositions, and considered Candidates in local State Assembly and State Senate races. While several experts were anticipating that such a long ballot could result in voter fatigue, voters passed twelve of the seventeen measures. Among the items that the voters approved were: the recreational use of marijuana (Proposition 64), the extension of current income tax brackets to help fund education (Proposition 55), an increase in the cigarette tax (Proposition 56), a $9 billion education bond (Proposition 51), and a ban on single-use plastic bags (Proposition 67). In the State Legislature, the Assembly Democrats gained three seats for a total of 55 out of 80 seats. This gives the Assembly a safe two-thirds supermajority. In the Senate, ballots from Senator Huff's termed out Senate seat, the 291h Senate District (San Dimas/Brea/Fullerton), are still being counted. As of November 23, Democrat Josh Newman has a 1396 vote lead over Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang.There are still several thousand provisional ballots that must be counted, primarily in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County. If Josh Newman holds on to his slim margin, the Senate Democrats would secure a two-thirds supermajority. A supermajority would allow Democrats to raise taxes and place measures on the statewide ballot without support from Republicans. On November 22, Governor Brown, President pro Tern De Leon, and Speaker Rendon released a joint statement stating that they would not be calling a lame duck legislative session to discuss a comprehensive transportation funding proposal. The Administration and Legislature will continue discussions on this topic early next year. Members of the Legislature will travel to the Capitol on December 5 to be sworn into office before returning the first week of January to start the 2017-2018 legislative session. Fiscal Outlook: Fiscal Year 2017-2018 The Legislative Analyst's office has recently released a report that outlines California's fiscal stability over the next five years. The fiscal outlook does reflect the fiscal effects of propositions that were approved by the voters on the November 8, 2016 ballot. The LAO produces this point- in-time document annually to assist the Legislature with budgeting for the next fiscal year. 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)4474086•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 Frank Ogawe Plaza•Suite 204•Oakland,CA 94612•Phone(510)835-9050•Fax(510)835-9030 The outlook is highly uncertain as it not only assumes no changes in state commitments and policies, but assumes no changes in federal policies as well. While future years are increasingly harder to predict, the report states with some certainty that California could end FY 2017-2018 with $11.5 billion in reserves. Approximately$2.8 billion of this would be considered discretionary reserves, which the Legislature can appropriate for a wide variety of purposes. The increase in reserve levels will largely be based on decreases in expenditures in FY 2017-2018 and an increase in revenues gained from personal income taxes, sales and use taxes, and corporation taxes. The LAO believes California's economic expansion is likely to continue over the next couple of years. The last three economic expansions lasted an average of 95 months and have been increasing in length. The current expansion of the national economy has now lasted 89 months (since July 2009), which makes it the fourth longest in the United States since 1854. The last few expansions ended three years after the economy reached full employment, which last happened in October 2015. California median household incomes($64,500) rose 4% in 2015, slightly above the national rate of 3.8%. Median household incomes grew by 3.3 percent in the Los Angeles-Orange County region. Job growth ranks 14' best among the 50 states: 2.3% in California. California's unemployment rate, 5.5 percent as of September 2015, remains tied for 10' worst, but has dropped half a percentage point in the last year. California's workforce participation rate grew over the last year from 62% to 62.6%, and full time work grew from 80.3% to 80.6%. The LAO anticipates that job growth will decrease over the next couple of years, but personal income and wage growth will increase. The LAO anticipate less growth in jobs and more growth in wages over the next few years, as the labor market tightens more and nears full employment. Housing costs and affordability are a growing concern and may limit prospects forjob and economic growth. As a result of the projected reserve level, the Legislative Analyst's Office predicts that the State will be able to withstand a mild recession without major budget cuts. The LAO also states that it is likely that State budgets will either remain in surplus or the budget reserves will be able to cover any operating deficits, despite possible recessions in the next five years. Cap and Trade On November 15, the Air Resources Board conducted its last quarterly auction for emissions allowances for the year. The last two auctions in May and August raised a dismal amount of money for California's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The program rebounded on November 15, selling 88 percent of its total available credits. The State's allocation of the revenues is approximately$360 million, a considerable amount compared to$10 million and $8 million raised in May and August, respectively. While the November auction produced relatively good results for Cap and Trade proponents, experts in the field are still cautious. Buyers of emissions credits were incentivized to participate in this auction after sitting the last two out, since the minimum per-ton price of credits is expected to increase from $12.73 to $13.50 at the next auction in February 2017. Additionally, opponents say the State's relatively slow recovery from the economic downturn as well as continued emphasis in renewable energy has driven down the demand for emissions credits. A lawsuit concerning the legality of the Cap and Trade program in regards to its"tax on carbon"is scheduled to be heard in January 2017, making the result extremely important to the February 2017 auction. QQ November 2016 Report 2 State Water Use: September 2016 In the month of September, California urban water suppliers reduced their water use by 18.3 percent when compared to September 2013,an increase of 0.8%from August 2016.The SWRCB expects the conservation percentage to drop as we enter what are typically the wet months of the year, however they are pleased that Californian's were able to stop the downward trend beforehand. Beginning next year, the State will decide if a return to state-mandated conservation rates will be required in order to conserve water in a safe and responsible way. In September: • Statewide water savings for September 2016 was 18.3 percent(116,703 acre feet or 38.0 billion gallons), an increase from August 2016's 17.5 percent savings, but a decrease from September 2015's 26.2 percent statewide savings (55.9 billion gallons). September 2016 water savings are 32 percent lower than September 2015. • Cumulative statewide water savings for June 2015 to September 2016 (sixteen months) was 23.0 percent, compared with the same months in 2013. That equates to 2,145,241 acre-feet (699 billion gallons). • Statewide average per person water use for September 2016 was 105.9 residential gallons per capita per day (R-GPCD), below the 113.7 R-GPCD in August 2016 but above 96.9 R-GPCD reported for September 2015. Little Hoover Commission On November 16, the Little Hoover Commission held its third and final public meeting to discuss special districts. Unlike the previous two public hearings which focused on climate change and special district's reserves, the November 16 advisory meeting solely focused on healthcare districts. In early December,the Little Hoover Commission will release an official written summary of the healthcare district advisory meeting for inclusion into their full report on special districts in Spring 2017. Relevant 2017 Ballot Initiatives to OCSD Proposition 53: Statewide voter approval for revenue bonds. — DID NOT PASS Proposition 53 would have required statewide voter approval before any revenue bonds can be issued or sold by the stale for projects that are financed, owned, operated, or managed by the state or any joint agency created by or including the state, if the bond amount exceeds $2 billion. This measure also prohibited dividing projects into multiple separate projects to avoid statewide voter approval requirement. Proposition 53 would have affected many large-scale stale projects, including transportation projects, college facilities projects, and the proposed Delta tunnels project. Opponents of the initiative explained that high dollar regional transportation projects could potentially be subject to voters across the entire State. Additionally, Proposition 53 did not have an emergency clause to suspend this rule after natural disasters or other emergencies. • 51 percent of California voters voted "NO" on this measure. ® November 2016 Report 3 Proposition 54: Legislation and Proceedings— PASSED Proposition 54 will prohibit the Legislature from passing any bill unless it has been in print and published on the Internet for at least 72 hours before the vote, except in cases of public emergency. This initiative also requires the Legislature to make audiovisual recordings of all its proceedings, except closed session proceedings, and post them on the Internet. Proposition 54 additionally authorizes any person to record legislative proceedings by audio or video means, except closed session proceedings. • 65 percent of California voters voted"YES'on this measure. It will take effect immediately. ® November 2016 Report 4 OCSD's Grant Funding Tracker Name of Grant Synopsis of Grant Amount of Grant Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Deadline Authorize$7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for Pry State Water Resources Control Board provides funding for state water supply infrastructure projects.$725 million the planning,design and construction of water recycling for water recycling and advanced water treatment We are looking at applying for the construction projects that offset or augment state fresh water supplies. technology projects. yes SP-173 grant. Spring 2016 TheCPUC's Self-Generation Incentive Program(SGIP) Up to$1.4 million provides incentives to support existing,new,and emerging distributed energy resources.The SGIP provides rebates for qualifying distributed energy systems installed on the customer's side of the utility meter. qualifying We are looking to see if the project fits within the Self-Generation Incentive Program technologies include wind turbines,waste heat to power technologies,pressure reduction turbines,internal specs of the grant combustion engines,microturbines,gas turbines,fuel cells,and advanced energy storage systems. In progress Aquacritox Ongoing This funding opportunity supports technology The ice of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy development plans for the manufacture of drop-in envisions awarding multiple financial assistance awards in hydrocarbon biofuels,bioproducts,or intermediates in a the form of cooperative agreements.The estimated pilot-or demonstration-scale integrated biorefinery. period of performance for the design phase of each award will be approximately 1-2 years. Project Definition for Pilot and Demonstration Scale Full Application Selection Notification:Expected Manufacturing of Biofuels,Bioproducts,and Empower 10/31/2016 5:00 PM ET.No update as of (PD2B3) publication. Yes Aquacritox 10/31/2016 Updated:Monday,November 21,2016 OCSD Bills of Interest WRDA S. Inhofe [R] Water Resources Development Act(WRDA) reauthorization measure. The bill, House and Senate Support ACC-OC-NYC 2848 cited as WRDA 2016, is notable for a decision by the committee leadership to committees seeking to CASA-Support incorporate a host of new issues focusing on water infrastructure(clean water and finalize measure to allow NACWA-NYC drinking water including lead in water). for passage without CSDA-NYC formal conference (provisions of note include integrated permit planning,WIFIA assistance and support of water recycling assistance WRDA H.R. Shuster(R) House version of WRDA 2016. Provides for a limited scope of activities compared See status of S. 2848 Watch. Seek SRF ACC-OC-NYC 5303 with Senate version. Provides for extension of traditional USACE Flood protection (H.R. 5303 does not Ammendments CASA-Support activities including the ability to store water at USACE flood protection facilities. contain SRF or W IFIA NACWA-NYC Provides authorization to consider funding of environmental infrastructure. assistance provisions CSDA-NYC compared with S. 2848 HR 3353 Hunter[R] To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit attorney fees and No action likely this Support ACC-OC-NYC penalties in citizen suits,and for other purposes. To provide affirmative defenses session and re- CASA-Support including acts of God,war,or third parties and to allow for proportional assessment of introduction expected NACWA-NYC le al fees. next year CSDA-NYC S. 2533 Feinstein [D] California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions Efforts to finalize Support ACC-OC-NYC for Emergency Drought Relief Act. Provide critical federal assistance to mitigate the compromise with House CASA-Support ongoing drought conditions and help alleviate the water supply challenges. as part of energy NACWA-NYC legislation ongoing (S. CSDA-NYC 2012 HR 2993 Matsui [D] Water Recycling Acceleration Act of 2015.To authorize funding for water recycling Pending ongoing energy Support ACC-OC-NYC projects in areas experiencing severe, extreme,or exceptional drought. bill (S. 2012) CASA-Support negotiations with NACWA-NYC S. 2012 Murkowski (R) Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. A bill to modernize nation's energy House Senate In Conference with No supporters of note for policy. Legislation expand beyond oil and gas energy focus to include additional focus conference committee House. OCSD on energy water nexus by encouraging use of energy efficient technologies in ongoing with prospects treatment and conveyance of water. for final agreement remote due to limited lame duck session OCSD Bills of Interest H.R. 5538 Calvert (R) Fiscal Year 2017 USEPA Appropriations: Interior and Environment Final spending Watch No stated support at this Appropriations. Provides funding to support key water infrastructure assistance SRF agreeement delayed time as bill not formally and W IFIA programs. Draft subcommittee bill approved providing current year until March 2017 numbered spending for clean water SRF funding at$1.0 billion. Support for water recycling used provided. Additionally, $45 million for W IFIA assistance provided with directives to leveracie assistance at 125:1 ratio. Comesitondina Senate bill is S. 1645. H.R. 8 Upton (R) North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015.A bill to See S. 2012 status In Conference with No supporters of note for reauthorize the national energy policy. Legislation is important for two policy areas. Senate. OCSD (Legislation First it creates a WaterSense program that could encourage use of water softeners incorporated into S. 2012 that might impact influent salt content levels. Second, House agreed to conference and conference requested with Senate version, S. 2012, but stripped S.2102 provisions and inserted H.R. 8 and ongoing with Senate) rovisions and numerous stalled natural resources provisions including drought relief. H.R. 2898 Valadao Western Water and American Food Security Act. A bill to provide for regulatory House and Senate Ammended to S. OCSD congressional revisions related to the operation of the Central Valley Project and to provide for California Members 2012 in Conference delegation members increased water storage facilities construction. seeking to find Walters, Rohrabacher, compromise legislative and Royce cosponsors approach that may be (legislation incorporated attached to stop gap into House energy bill see spending bill or energy S. 2012) bill S. 2012 Legend: ACC-OC-Association of California Cities, Orange County LOCC- League of California Cities NYC-Not Yet Considered CASA-California Association of Sanitation Agencies NACWA- National Association of Clean Water Agencies CSDA-California Special Districts Association LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE M ting Data To ad.of Dir. 14/16 AGENDA REPORT ItemNumber Item Number s 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. BACKGROUND Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS • Unified legislative advocacy and public outreach program • Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders • Use all practical and effective means for recovering wastewater for reuse • Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with neighboring agencies • Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns PROBLEM Many Californians are not aware of the Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District) and the important work we do to keep the environment clean by using the wastewater byproducts to create energy, water recycling and the use of biosolids. Additionally, they are not aware that more than 50 percent of the wastewater is recycled and used to replenish the Orange County Groundwater Basin. In general, the community and businesses do not realize that when they improperly dispose of waste into the sanitation system, it can negatively affect the work we do and the quality of water we supply for the Groundwater Replenishment System. PROPOSED SOLUTION By providing tours, community outreach education and general communication via the Sanitation District's website, social media outlets and mainstream media, we have the ability to educate the community, local agencies and businesses on the What2Flush program, energy production, water recycling, biosolids and our source control program. This in turn results in a better quality of wastewater. Page 1 of 2 TIMING CONCERNS N/A RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not educate the community, local agencies and area businesses about the Sanitation District, we lose an opportunity to educate thousands of people about our plants, source control and the wastewater industry as a whole. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION November 2016 Activity # # of Guests OCSD/OCWD Tours 4 75 OCSD Tours 9 141 Speaking Engagement 1 —30 CEQA N/A FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS N/A ATTACHMENTS The following attachments are attached in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.coml with the complete agenda package: • Outreach Calendar November 2016 • Media Clips November 2016 Page 2 of 2 OCSD Outreach Report - 11/22/2016 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 11/01/2016- 1000- 1100 Plant Tour Boardroom Korean Delegation to tour Jin Kim Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1 Approx. 6 guests. 11/04/2016- 1100-30 Plant Tour Boardroom Mount St. Antonio College Lisa Frigo Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. 15 guests. 11/05/2016- 1200- 1330 Plant Tour Admin. FIRST LEGO (FILL)to tour Rob Thompson Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1. 5 guests. 11/07/2016- 1300- 1430 Plant Tour Boardroom UCS Civil Eng. Tour. 16 Mark Esquer Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests 11/08/2016- 1000- 1400 Plant Tours Boardroom Maintenance Mark Esquer Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Superintendent's Assoc. Tours. Approx. 60 guests 11/09/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 11/10/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Tour. 24 Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests 11/12/2016- 800- 1100 Plant Tour Admin. SCC wastewater treatment Shabbir Basrai Tour Guide Cheryl Scott class to tour P2. Approx. 15. 11/15/2016- 1430- 1600 Plant Tour Boardroom Hope International Lisa Rothbart Tour Guide Cheryl Scott University class to tour P1. 11/15/2016- 1000- 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom South OC Home School Sharon Yin Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour 15 guests 11/22/2016 3:30:08 PM OCSD Outreach Report - 11/22/2016 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 11/16/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSULB Nursing Tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 11/17/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Room C OCHCA Nursing Tour 13 Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 11/18/2016- 1300- 1430 Plant Tour Boardroom Santa Ana College STEM Mike Zedek Tour Guide Cheryl Scott class to tour P1. Approx. 15 guests. 11/28/2016- 1300- 1500 Plant Tour Boardroom George Fischer Signet Michelle Hetherington Tour Cheryl Scott group to tour P1. Approx. Guide 18 guests 11/29/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom New Employee/Open Tour Ann Crafton Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 11/30/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Fullerton College Tour 25 Lisa Rothbart Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 12/02/2016- 1400- 1530 Plant Tour Boardroom Santa Ana College Tour. Mike Zedek Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 25 guests. 12/03/2016- 800- 1100 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Engineering to tour Mark Esquer Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1. 30 guests 12/05/2016- 845- 1015 Plant Tour Boardroom Saddleback College Tour Jeff Armstrong Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 26 attendees 12/06/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSULB Nursing Tour 12 Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 11/22/2016 3:30:08 PM OCSD Outreach Report - 11/22/2016 Date Time Organization/Event Location Purpose Attendee Contact 12/07/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSUF Nursing Tour Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 12/08/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom CSULB Nursing Tour 12 Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott guests. 12/08/2016- 1100- 1230 Plant Tour GM Conf. Room Supervisor Steel to tour Jim Herberg Tour Guide Cheryl Scott P1. 12/16/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom West Coast Univ. Nursing Xuan Nguyen Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. 18 guests. 12/19/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom WestCoast Univ. Nursing Gina Tetsch Tour Guide Cheryl Scott Tour. 18 guests. 12/21/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Santa Ana Valley High Randy Kleinman Tour Cheryl Scott School Tour.Approx. 25 Guide guests 12/27/2016- 1000- 1130 Plant Tour Boardroom Resident tour. 10 guests. Xuan Nguyen Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 12/29/2016- 900- 1030 Plant Tour Boardroom Coast Plumbing to tour P1. Cindy Murra Tour Guide Cheryl Scott 10 guests. 11/22/2016 3:30:08 PM Monthly News Clippings G�JN�V S A N I TgT�Oy = 9 Q 2 c� o � FCTi� �E November 2016 OCSD Public Affairs Office Table of Contents CONSTRUCTION.......................................................................PAGE 'I October 31, 2016 Long-delayed wastewater project an eyesore, potential danger— back on track By: Michael J. Williams Press Enterprise GWRS...................................................................................PAGE 5 November, 2016 GWRS Final Expansion Agreement Passes OCWD HUMAN INTEREST....................................................................PAGE 7 November 7, 2016 Services are Thursday for Barbara Collins By: Priscella Vega Daily Pilot November 21, 2016 Water Recycling May Prompt New Environmental Concerns By: Matt Weiser Water Deeply TWITTER POSTINGS................................................... ..............PAGE 14 FACEBOOK POSTINGS..............................................................PAGE 24 Press Enterprise October 31, 2016 Press Enterprise Long-delayed wastewater project -- an eyesore, potential danger -- back on track Project to replace pipe conveying waste saltwater was stalled by construction issues. a Work is progressing on the replacement of the Inland Empire Brine Line on Tuesday,Oct.25, along Temescal Canyon Road in Corona.The line,which runs through Temescal Valley and Corona, connects with the main line that carries industrial waste salt water to the ocean off the coast of Orange County.Work came to a standstill at the end of last year because of a contractual dispute. STAN LIM,STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER By MICHAEL J.WILLIAMS/STAFF WRITER Published:Oct. 28,2016 Updated.Oct.31, 2016 6:07p.m. BRINE LINE FIX What: The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority is replacing a deteriorating section of the Inland Empire Brine Line. Where: On Temescal Canyon Road in Temescal Valley between southern Corona and Glen Ivy When: Construction started Oct. 18 and is expected to continue on weekdays until mid-January. Removal of an above-ground bypass line is targeted for early spring. Effect: Motorists could encounter weekday traffic congestion and delays. Inquiries: Call 951-354-4250, or email construction @sawpa.org Motorists in southern Corona and Temescal Valley might experience some construction delays over the next few months. And in the long haul, that's a good thing. Work in replacing a section of pipe belonging to a crucial piece of regional infrastructure, the Inland Empire Brine Line, has resumed. The project had come to a standstill at the end of 2015 because of a major construction glitch that evolved into a legal dispute. Meanwhile, several thousand feet of an above-ground bypass pipe have sat by the curb along Temescal Canyon Road, an eyesore and potential hazard to swerving drivers. The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, which operates the brine line, hired Highland-based Weka Inc. to finish the job. Construction resumed Oct. 18 on 2 replacing 3,340 feet of pipe underneath Temescal Canyon between Tom Barnes Road north of the Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona and Glen Ivy Road to the south. "We're replacing defective pipe with new pipe," authority Program Manager David Ruhl said. "When this work is complete, we can begin removal of the bypass line." Weka is expected to finish the job in mid-January, and the bypass should be gone by early spring. "The goal is to minimize the effect on the public and restore the street to full operating conditions as quickly as possible," said Gale Hammons of Hammons Strategies, an authority consultant. The section of brine line being replaced is part of a much larger system that conveys about 12 million gallons of waste saltwater per day from San Bernardino and Riverside counties to a plant in Orange County. There, the fluid is treated and released into the ocean. The process enables businesses that extract salt in industrial processes to safely dispose of the material so it doesn't infiltrate the Santa Ana River watershed. "Frankly, we wouldn't be able to operate without the brine line," says General Manager Ben Strasshofer of Mission Linen near Chino in a video about the resource. "We'd have nowhere else to go without the brine line." The system has been functioning since the 1970s when it was built by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority in a partnership with the Orange County Sanitation District. Ruhl said the line's creation stemmed from disputes along the river and the realization that the water resource could be ruined. As a regionwide solution, the system remains unique. "This is pretty much one of a kind," Ruhl said. "There's a lot of places trying to model what we do." While the system has remained intact, the Temescal Valley section of the reach that runs from Menifee to northern Corona deteriorated to the point where new piping was needed. 3 Authority leaders decided to use a method in which a material is injected into the old pipe and molded inside it to create a new one, so that major pavement removal could be avoided. The contractor and its subcontractor, however, experienced problems with the project, leading to a legal dispute. Because pipe damage has increased during the dispute, Weka crews now must dig out the old segments and insert new ones, which requires ripping up pavement and putting up traffic controls around work areas. The additional work, Ruhl said, added $2million to the cost of what had been a $12.5million project. To take public inquiries, the authority set up a hotline that can be reached by calling 951-354-4250. Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams(r)pe.com a Orange County Water District November, 2016 Orange County Water District GWRS Final Expansion Agreement Passes The collaboration between OCWD and the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) dates back to the mid 1970s when OCSD provided treated wastewater to OCWD for its Water Factory 21, the first plant in the world to use reverse osmosis to purify wastewater to drinking water standards. The two agencies then went on to jointly build the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) in 2008. The world's largest advanced purification facility was expanded in 2015 to produce 100 million gallons of water per day. Building on nearly 50 years of collaboration, OCWD and OCSD staff recently completed a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the final expansion of the GWRS. Both boards of directors unanimously voted to enter into the agreement, which outlines each agency's 5 responsibilities for each of the projects that make up the GWRS Final Expansion Project. The agreement also addresses water delivery, water treatment, security, and property leases for the GWRS Final Expansion Project. Next steps include the District's pursuit of funding for the project, which includes Proposition 1 grant funding, bonds, and State Revolving Fund loans that typically carry a low interest rate. When completed, this final phase will bring total GWRS water production to 130 million gallons per day, enough to fulfill the needs of 1 million people in north and central Orange County. In addition, this project allows for OCWD to recycle 100 percent of the reclaimable wastewater produced by OCSD. Budgeted at $351 million, the GWRS Final Expansion is expected to go online by the end of 2022. 6 Daily Pilot November 7, 2016 DAILY PILOT Services are Thursday for Barbara Collins, 71 , wife of Fountain Valley mayor pro tem Novembcr9,2016 T Barbara Collins died Nov.2 after an eight-year battle with bladder cancer.(Courtesy of John Collins) Priscella Vega 7 Services are scheduled for Thursday for Barbara Collins, wife of Fountain Valley Mayor Pro Tern John Collins, following her death Nov. 2 after an eight-year struggle with bladder cancer. She was 71. A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 17270 Ward St., Fountain Valley, with a graveside service following at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 8301 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. A reception will be held at the Fellowship Hall at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Barbara Collins, a Rhode Island native, met her husband while attending Northeastern University in Boston. She earned a biochemistry degree and later a master's in finance. The two married in Boston in 1968 and soon had their first child, Billy, in Virginia. Barbara Collins worked as a financial analyst and later for the Orange County Sanitation District. Fountain Valley residents got to know her at park concerts, mayor's balls and other community events. John Collins said one of his fondest memories is of he and his wife taking trips to Laughlin, Nev., and staying at the Harrah's hotel. "Harrah's has a veranda that overlooked the ... mountains with jagged views," he said. "It was a great way to get away from everything." The couple couldn't visit Laughlin as often as they did before Barbara's diagnosis, but they took their last trip together earlier this year. "Our kids are all grown up, so it was just us," John said. "We enjoyed the little things like watching 'Family Feud' and 'Jeopardy.' We'd watch it and try to guess the answers." Barbara is survived by her husband, their three children, Billy, Bobby and Karen, and five grandchildren. Copyright©2016,Daily Pilot 8 Water Deeply November 21, 2016 Water Deeply Water Recycling May Prompt New Environmental Concerns Treated sewage has been discharged for decades into Western rivers. It turns out this provides vital aquatic habitat in stressed rivers, as revealed by concern over a major Sacramento water recycling proposal. Written by Matt Weiser Pnbl AM ono Nov.21,2016 Wastewater recycling is being hailed in many communities as the answer to ongoing drought problems. By cleaning sewage effluent to extract pure water, it's possible to create a sustainable water supply that is cheaper than seawater desalination or buying a new water supply. But there's a little-recognized downside to water recycling: It may damage wildlife habitats already imperiled by water scarcity. That's because many rivers in California and the West are already so extensively tapped for human purposes that our sewage effluent—dumped back into streams after treatment—provides an important share of the stream flows that remain. Even as California's State Water Resources Control Board encourages water recycling through grants, low-interest loans, and streamlined regulations, other state agencies are raising objections. In September,the California Department of Fish and Wildlife filed a formal protest against a water recycling proposal by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District. The department alleges that by diverting as much as 50,000 acre-feet(62m cubic meters) of water per year from its existing 9 Sacramento River discharge,the district may deprive endangered salmon and other species of important habitat. The situation puts the Sacramento district in a Catch-22,because its water recycling project is partly motivated by the protection of another species: Delta smelt. A 2014 order by the state water board requires the district to clean up its effluent,which the board determined may be harming the aquatic food chain in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The regional sanitation district is the largest single discharger of treated wastewater in the Delta watershed. Most of this effluent is released into the Sacramento River near Freeport. "The thing that strikes me as interesting is ... the state as a whole has determined this is a good idea to recycle water," said Christoph Dobson,director of policy and planning at the Sacramento regional sanitation district. "So you would hope the state would then be supportive of projects,particularly projects like this, that have multiple benefits to them." It certainly says something about the strain on California water supplies when treated human sewage comes to be seen as vital to fishery habitat. It certainly says something about the strain on California water supplies when treated human sewage comes to be seen as vital to fishery habitats. But it also may represent a new understanding of the water cycle in the state. After all, that effluent mostly originated as fresh water pumped out of a river somewhere upstream. The Department of Fish and Wildlife fears that salmon, splittail, sturgeon and other fish could be imperiled if effluent discharges to the Sacramento River are reduced, especially as the drought continues and river flows we low. Lauren Malloy, water rights coordinator at Fish and Wildlife, said the recycling project is akin to proposing a new water diversion on the Sacramento River. And water supplies are so tight in the region that a new diversion of equal size would also face a protest, she said. "When we get discharges into these water courses for many years—sometimes 50 years—it becomes part of the flow regime that the water course and wildlife expect to see on an annual basis,"Molloy said. "So taking it out is the same as proposing a new diversion." A new state water quality permit approved in 2013 requires the regional sanitation district to clean up its discharge effluent. To comply,the district is building what it calls the EchoWater Project. With a price tag of at least$1.5 billion, it will modify existing operations to achieve so-called"tertiary" treatment, a common practice in the industry,but one which the Sacramento district has not yet adopted. 10 7' 3 a )T Workers install pipes and valves as part of the Echo Water Project, an effort by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District to clean up the effluent it discharges to the Sacramento River. Some of this effluent will be diverted to a new network of distribution pipes that will irrigate farmland. (Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District) A related project will divert about one-fifth of this effluent, under present conditions, into a new distribution system that will deliver recycled wastewater to 16,000 acres (65 sq km)of farmland in south Sacramento County. Some of the water will also be provided to nearby Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to augment wetland habitat. The diverted water amounts to about 45 million gallons (205m liters)per day, or about 50,000 acre- feet per year. The project is estimated to cost$200 million. The district estimates this will reduce total Sacramento River flows by 1 to 2 percent, depending on river conditions. That doesn't sound like much. But it could be enough,under some conditions,to produce violations in key water quality standards in the Delta. This would require other agencies to release precious stored water from upstream reservoirs. But Dobson said this won't be a permanent concern. Eventually,he said, the irrigation water supplied to farmers will recharge depleted groundwater that they now rely upon. When that happens,the aquifer will again be connected to the Sacramento River, and flows in the river will return to conditions that existed before the recycling project began. "In the long run, it's not having a significant reduction in river flows. It ultimately makes its way back to the river in various ways,"he said. "That's one of the key benefits of the project." 11 The state water board has set a goal to increase water recycling by 1 million acre-feet per year, statewide, through 2020, and at least 2 million acre-feet per year by 2030. Indeed,the ongoing drought has produced so much interest in wastewater recycling that a state fund to support such projects has been temporarily depleted of money. So it is likely that more water recycling projects will encounter similar protests about declining streamflows. "While it's a good idea to use more recycled water, we recognize that it also means reducing stream flows and we need to evaluate if that reduction causes a problem,"said Timothy Moran, a spokesman for the state water board. If necessary,the board will impose rules on new water recycling projects to protect streamflows, Moran said. Another example can be found in Ventura County, where the city of Oxnard plans to double its capacity to recycle sewage effluent. This has brought lawsuits by the Wishtoyo Foundation, a nonprofit arm of the Cbumash Tribe, against both the state water board and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. The foundation is concerned about protecting the Santa Clam River. In the lawsuit, it argues the two state agencies should be required to conduct a comprehensive analysis of water needs in the river basin before allowing more water recycling. Jason Weiner, attorney for the foundation, said Oxnard's recycling program is intended to prop up unsustainable water uses in the region that already withdraw water from the Santa Clara River, such as strawberry farming and golf course irrigation. The wastewater recycling itself does not result in any diversion of water from the river. But those who benefit from the recycled water,he said, should be required to stop diverting an equivalent amount of water from the river. As it stands now,he said, new water recycling projects are being approved without any consideration for the Santa Clara River's needs. The river is almost completely dry much of the year, yet also home to an endangered population of steelhead trout. Opening arguments in the case are expected in 2017. If successful, it could require all new wastewater recycling projects in the state to conduct a"reasonable use" analysis to ensure the water they produce benefits the environment and is not wasteful. "The issue here and across the state is, you can bring all the recycled water in the world online,but that won't help if you allow it to be used wastefully,"Weiner said. "We're arguing the boards have a mandatory duty to ensure reasonable use and protection of public trust resources in their allocation of the recycled water." In the Sacramento case, the regional sanitation district is expected to begin negotiations with the Department of Fish and Wildlife soon in an effort to resolve its concerns. Molloy said she hopes to see 12 a rule added that will adjust the volume of water diverted for recycling based on flow conditions in the river. "I'm expecting we're going to see more recycled water projects as agencies need to stretch their water for their service areas,"she said. "I like the recycled water projects. I also don't want to see it hams things. There's got to be a balance." 13 Twitter Posts November 2016 Twitter Posts for November 2016 Tweeted 32 times and Retweeted 2 times 60C Sewers @OCSewers 13s13 seconds ago "It's not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." -Charles Darwin #MotivationMonday OC Sewers @OCSewers 2h2 hours ago What do you think? Would you think that oil wastewater is deemed safe for crops? bakersfleldnow.com.../oil-wastewater-for-crops-deemed... eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 26 Wondering how to dispose of unused or expired medication? Check out our PSA. #What2Flush what2flush.com/pharmaceutical._...... eOCSewers OCSewers Nov26 DYK that we offer internships? We have a internship position open in Environmental Lab & Ocean Monitoring Division. _bit.ly/2eWygzZ 14 60C Sewers OCSewers Nov 23 It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Biosolids facebook.com/OCSewers/posts ... eOC Sewers OCSewers Nov 22 Remember: Pouring fats, oils and grease (FOG) down your drain can lead to backups & sewer spills. The drain is not a dump! t$OC Sewers r OCSewers Nov 22 Just a reminder that our Administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24 & Friday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. 15 0 OC Sewers OCSewers Nov 21 Article from London regarding a super-sewer that was built to help stop wastewater from flowing into the Thames. t$OC Sewers OCSewers Nov 21 "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more." -Melodie Beattie #Motivation Monday eOC Sewers OCSewers Nov 18 Congrats to our 2017 Safety Contest submitters who attended our Board mtg on Wed night to be recognized for their safety poster submissions. 16 eOC Sewers OCSewers Nov 17 More behind the scenes photos of talent being filmed by @windsongprod at our Plant No. 1 facility in FV today. Ready doReadyOC @ReadyOC Nov 17 First Aid Kit, flashlight, batteries water, and food. These are basic essentials for your #emergencykit. Are you prepared? eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 17 17 Did you know what you flush or wash down your sink at home can end up as a soil amendment for farms? #ocsd #funfact#tbt i 60C Sewers @OCSewers Nov 16 Do you know why removing #wastewater grit matters? Click the link to learn more. eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 16 We love our OCSD employees! Today, film crews are interviewing employees about what it means to be a public servant. EN OC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 15 Our Director of Engineering was interviewed as part of a scholarship video contest about special districts. Enjoy! 18 eOC Sewers 'ti OCSewers Nov 15 Good Morning! Today, our General Manager, Jim Herberg was being interviewed by @windsongprod for a video. t$OC Sewers OCSewers Nov 14 "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."- Amelia Earhart #MotivationMonday t$OC Sewers OCSewers Nov 14 Cool article talking about how wastewater industries are moving towards recycling sewer water as drinking water. t$OC Sewers OCSewers Nov 12 Did you know that OCSD has been around for 60 plus years? Check out our history video to learn more about us. 19 OC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 12 This is really interesting! -bit.ly/2fMxRwn IW OC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 10 Did you know that we offer internships? We currently have a internship position open in the Public Affairs Division. bit.ly/2eWygzZ t)OC Sewers ?OCSewers Nov 10 This #tbt is going back to 2012 when OCSD was doing some repair work on our Ocean Outfall in #HB. OC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 9 OC Sewers Retweeted ACC-OC 20 Thank you @ACCOC for coming to yesterday's Legislative Affairs Committee. We really enjoyed your presentation. OC Sewers added, ACC-OC @ACCOC This morning#ACCOC presented to the Orange County Sanitation District's legislative committee. Thank you @OCSewers for having us! eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 9 Just a reminder that our Administrative offices will be closed on Friday, November 11th in remembrance of Veterans Day. IN t$OC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 7 21 OCSD published a CIP Annual Report documenting the various projects worked on throughout the fiscal year. _bit.ly/2eGm5m0 eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 7 "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."—C.S. Lewis #MotivatonMonday IWOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 4 Construction Update: Construction moves to State College Blvd. and Kimberly Avenue in @FullertonCA. _facebook.com/OCSewers/posts._..... eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 4 Happy #flashbackfriday! Here's a photo of what our auto fleet looked like back in 1955. nomill OC Sewers )CSewers Nov 3 22 Want to know more about the work that we do? Come take a tour. You'll be glad that you did! _ocsd.com/residents/tours eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 2 Check out our new fish tank! eOC Sewers @OCSewers Nov 1 Do you care about the #environment and #publichealth? Want to advance your#career? Apply for a #job with @OCSewers! _ocsd.com/about-ocsd/job. ... 60C Sewers @OCSewers Nov 1 Don't put Fats, Oils or Grease down your kitchen sink cause pipes could end up looking like this. Put FOG in a can, let it cool, then toss. 23 OCSD Facebook Posts November 2016 Facebook Posts for November 2016 Posted 41 and Shared 3 times Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 27 at 2:35pm Congratulations to Curtis Mason, a Senior Mechanic with OCSD who is retiring after 31 years of service. Thank you Curtis for all of your hard work and dedication to OCSD over the years.You will be missed. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 27 at 9:38am Happy#throwbackthursday. Here's a picture of an OCSD employee scrapping the bar screens by hand in 1946. We have machines to do that now! am IF Orange County Sanitation District 24 Published by Kelly Newell October 26 at 1002am It's Wednesday, which means it's time for OCSD's Wastewater Word of the Week! This week's word is: Surge Towers The Surge Towers are part of OSCD's conveyance network which allows our treated effluent to safely enter our Outfall Pipes. OCSD has two surge towers at our Plant No. 2 facility in Huntington Beach which are located on top of the land portion of the Outfall Pipes in between our large Effluent Pump Stations and the Ocean Ouffall pipes.The Surge Tower that is current... See More Orange County Sanitation District F Phil— I a.1 Ko I„ h'ywell -October 25 at 12:00pm Wastewater treatment plant starts with groundbreaking in Yucca Valley. http://www.hidesertstar.com/.../article 93798214-9813-1le6-af... Wastewater treatment plant starts with Groundbreaking YUCCA VALLEY—It was a historic day for Yucca Valley and even for California, public officials said as Hi-Desert Water District broke ground for a wastewater treatment plant Thursday morning. HHIIDEES+ERTSTAR.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 25 at 9:00am Congratulations to Christopher Stacklin, OCSD Engineer, who was presented with two Leadership Awards at the WEFTEC 2016 Conference last month. The two awards were the: Water Reuse Roadmap, the second commitment of the 2016 White House Water Summit; and Wastewater Worker Safety for High Consequence Pathogens, a White House priority to explore innovative strategies for preventing healthcare-associated transmission of Ebola and/or infectious pathogens. Chris has been a member of WEF for 14 years and has served on numerous committees.Again, congratulations Christopher on receiving these special awards. 25 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 24 at 12:00pm Congratulations to OCSD's Information Technology Division on the 2016 Award for Excellence in Information Technology Practices from the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC). MISAC presents this award to recognize outstanding practices in Information Technology that have met or surpassed local government standards. The awards program has two levels, Achievement and the higher level of Excellence. The submission and evaluation process requires the s... See More is`M6PC F4 .,,. RC mis c no FPc c ^a eva Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 24 at 9:00am "The secret of getting ahead is getting started."—Mark Twain #MotivationMonday Boost Post 10 Orange County Sanitation District added 2 new photos. Published by Kelly Newell October 23 at 10:03am We're at the Los Alamitos Wings,Wheels and Rotors event until 5pm today. Come stop by our booth to get your free#What2flush swag! 26 AM Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 22 at 12:00pm Don't have any plans this weekend? Come to the Los Alamitos Wings, Wheels and Rotors event on Sunday. We will have a booth and will be giving out some of our cool #what2flush swag! htti)://www.wwrexpo.net/ Auk IF Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 22 at 9:00am Did you know that OCSD has been around for 60 plus years? Check out our history video to learn more about us. (watch?v=ieYTH81 J rXw OCSD 6oth Anniversary History Video Celebrating an important pan of OC's past, present,and future YOUTUBE.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 21 at 12:00pm OCSD Receives AAA Credit Rating During OCSD's recent debt issuance, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Pool's reaffirmed OCSD's 'AAA' Credit Rating.This is the highest rating given to a company and demonstrates their confidence that OCSD 27 will maintain its exceptional degree of creditworthiness and ability to meet its financial commitments. In addition to strong financial management, they noted our well run operations and capital planning. OCSD's AAA rating allows it to secure very attractive financing for infrastructure improvements, reducing our costs and allowing us to continue our low fees. .com/.../Fitch-Rates-Orange-County-San... Business �W1I ure A BeMhim Hath—w Company Fitch Rates Orange County Sanitation District, CA's NOteS 'AAN/'Ft+'; Outlook Stable I Business Wire Filch Ratings has assigned a'AAA'long-term rating and'FW short-term rating to the following Orange County Sanitation District,CA(OCSD)debt:-- BUSINESSWIRE.COM Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 21 at 9:00am Happy Friday! Today's#fbf is the Groundbreaking of the GWRS expansion in 2012 with Orange County Sanitation District and Orange County Water District Board members. Anih IF Orange County Sanitation District added 3 new photos. Published by Kelly Newell - October 20 at 2:52pm More photos from today's CASA/CWEA Communications Essentials Workshop held at the Orange County Sanitation District. yr 28 Oranae County Sanitation District shared California Association of Sanitation Agencies's post. Published by Kelly Newell October 20 at 1:53pm California Association of Sanitation Agencies added 7 new photos. October 20 at 1:14pm Small groups get hands-on practice at the CASA/CWEA Communication Essentials Workshop at Orange County Sanitation District.#cleanwater Orange County Sanitation District added 2 new photos. Published by Kelly Newell October 20 at 11:04am Today, OCSD is hosting and presenting at the @CASA_CleanWater& @CWEAMembers Comm. Essentials Workshop. 29 + . I t 7 Orange County Sanitation District ipm Congratulations to Tyler Hoang, Lead Plant Operator on his 25 years of service with OCSD. Tyler came to OCSD in 1991 after working for a small wastewater plant in South Orange County.Tyler has spent most of his career at our Plant No. 1 facility in Fountain Valley, and is currently overseeing our primary treatment process area by making sure that we are improving our process control as well as improving our effluent quality. Tyler is known as the"MacGyver"of the wastewat... See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 19 at 9:00am Have you 'liked'OCSD on Facebook yet? Follow our page for news,fun facts & information about wastewater treatment! https://www.facebook.com/OCSewers 30 Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 18 at 2:25pm Today, OCSD is in Oakland presenting at @CASA_CleanWater&@CWEAMembers Comm. Essentials Workshop. I Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 18 at 1:00pm The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA)will join local law enforcement and community partners in promoting the collection of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications in support of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA)"National Take Back Day"on Saturday, October 22. According to results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the most common source for the last prescription pain medication misused by individuals over age 12 in the pas... M Orange County. California-Alcohol & Drug Education &Prevention Team ADEPT Congratulations to all the schools and youth groups that participated in the 7th annual Red Ribbon Banner Art... 31 OCHEALTHINFO.COM Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell - October 18 at 9:00am This article is super interesting.We do our best to inform the public that flushable wipes aren't really flushable. Do you know#what2flush? M.0m/ /arp-wpf-wi es-wreckin .../504098/ Are Wet Wipes Wrecking the World's Sewers? The battle over what it means to be"flushable' THEATLANTIC.COMIBY MATT KESSLER Boost Post Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 17 at 12:00pm Do you care about the#environment and#publichealth?Want to advance your#career? Apply for a#job with the Orange County Sanitation District! hftp://www.ocsd.com/about-ocsd/obs/ob-openings Orange County Sanitation District : Job Openings ©2016 Orange County Sanitation District.All Rights Reserved.Website Created by Vision Internet-The Government website experts OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 17 at 9:00am "The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."—Steve Jobs #MotivationMonday Boost Post 32 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Rebecca Gorelick Long October 14 at 1:32pm We hope you enjoyed the 2016 OCSD Stale of the District as much as we did. Great job Grea Sebourn and John Nielsen for Ming the event. Thank you Representative Alan Lowenthal for attending! IF Orange County Sanitation District Published by Jennifer Cabral October 13 at 8:16pm Thank you Center for Demographic Research for allowing OCSD to participate in your celebration. We are proud to be a sponsor and truly value not only the information that this organization publishes but also the cooperative and collaborative efforts that you undertake. Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 13 at 4:00pm Register now for the 2016 NWRI Clarke Prize Conference, a 1-day premier event featuring presentations on the most innovative research and activities today in urban water sustainability. The conference will be held by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI)on Fri., Nov. 4, 2016, in Newport Beach, Calif. The conference is being supported by NWRI's member agencies, corporate associate sponsors, and the Water Environment& Reuse Foundation. Presentations include: Emerg... 0 33 Announcing the 2ot6 NWRI Clarke Prize Conference and Award November g-4 The NWRI Clarke Prize Conference and Award celebrating excellence in water research honoring Dr.John C.Crittenden, authority on treating chemical contaminants. CLARKEPRIZE.COM Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell I October 13 at 12:30pm Congratulations to Ron Cortez, Lead Plant Operator on his 25 years of service with OCSD. Ron worked as a draftsmen in an engineering firth before coming to OCSD in 1991 as an Operator-in-Training. During his 25 year career, Ron helped improve the dryness of our biosolids cake from 21 to 22.5 percent solids which equates to a $750,000 annual savings by not hauling water, keeps the facility looking beautiful by hosing stuff down at the end of the day and so much more. Ron love... See More Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 13 at 10:23am As part of our#What2Flush Campaign, OCSD is informing the public that flushable wipes shouldn't be flushed down the toilet because they can clogs pipes and cause damage. NYC may be leading the way by banning them completely. Do you know#What2Flush? IV, ,;� NYC may ban flushable wet wines The New York City Council's environmental protection committee will consider a bill next week that would fine any store that sells wet wipes often used for infants and adult personal hygiene. FOX5NY.COMIBY FOX 34 Ask Oranae County Sanitation District shared Brown and Caldwell's Water News's Post. Published by Kelly Newell October 12 at 11:57am C Brown and Caldwell's Water NewsLike Page October 11 at 10:03am U,5. Environmental Protection Agency will study nitrogen and phosphorus removal at wastewater facilities t --ems EPA Announces National Wastewater Nutrient Pollution Census - Circle of.. Agency will study nitrogen and phosphorus removal at wastewater facilities.By Brett Walton,Circle of Blue The U.S. Environmental Protection... CIRCLEOFBLUE.ORG 40 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Jennifer Cabral October 12 at 7:42am OCSD opens recruitment for an Engineering Manager over the Reliability, Maintenance and Planning Divisions. Job posting closes 10/24/2016. http://www.ocsd.com/Home/Components/News/NewsJl736/52... Boost Post Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 11 at 9:01 am Do you care about the#environment and#publichealth?Want to advance your#career? Apply for a#job with the Orange County Sanitation District! httix//www.ocsd.com/about-ocsd/ohs/ob-openi nos Orange County Sanitation District : Job Openings ©2016 Orange County Sanitation District.All Rights Reserved.Website Created by Vision Internet-The Government website experts OCSD.COM 35 Orange County Sanitation District 'I at 12:00pm "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."—Walt Disney #MotivationMonday 10 Orange County Sanitation District Published _ ,ctober 10 at 9:00am Happy Columbus Day! Today we celebrate, but the actual anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival and the discovery of the American Continent was on October 12, 1492. folumbus jDa Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 9 at 9:00am Have you 'liked'OCSD on Facebook yet? Follow our page for news,fun fads & information about wastewater treatment! httos://www.facebook.com/OCSewers Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 8 at 12:00pm 36 Have you driven along Red Hill Avenue in the City of Tustin lately?The#OCSDRedHill construction is underway and installing a sewer line along Red Hill between Warner and Edinger. Each segment of pipe is carefully lowered into an open trench that is more than 20 feet deep! Crews are hard at work and are installing an average of 50 lineal feet of pipe a day. #OCSDConstruction #HardAtWork#OCSDSewers#CityOfTustin Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 8 at 11:1 lam Don't have anything to do today? Come stop by the Placentia Heritage Festival and visit our booth!We are giving away some cool #What2flushswag. We'll be here until 4pm. Orange County Sanitation District shared Orange County Water District's post. Published by Kelly Newell October 7 at 1:33pm (D Orange County Water DistrictLike Page October 7 at 9:25am The research project, which will compare the addition of chloramines—a group of compounds that are generated when chlorine and ammonia are mixed—to a treatment step that currently uses hydrogen per zi n Itr vi t UV) light. As Drought Persists. Collaboration Seeks To Advance Technology That Hers Generate New Water Sunoly 37 October 5,2016:UC Riverside and Orange County Water District are researching alternative process to aid in water purification. UCRTODAV.UCREDU Aft Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell - October 7 at 12:00pm Don't put grease down your kitchen sink because your pipes could end up looking like this. Put Fats, Oils and Grease in a can, wipe excess grease with paper towel and toss. #FOG ^ 7 AM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 7 at 9:00am Happy#FlashbackFridayl This photo is from the 1960's and shows then OCSD employee Glen Harris in the Control Center at Plant No.1 which was built over the old headworks. The structure is still around, but it's hidden behind our Centeral Generation building. *Side note-the old control center had multiple levels and still does to this day. ,-�I Oranae County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 6 at 2:00pm In a move to diversify our states water portfolio and ensure water security for our growing population, Governor Brown recently signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2022 into law, allowing Californians to conveniently taste-test recycled water in their communities. Authored by Assemblymember Rich Gordon (D-24)and co-sponsored by the Orange County Water District (OCWD), the Orange County Sanitation District(OCSD)and WateReuse, AB 2022 will take effect in January 2017 and will allow t... 38 G W R S Bill Text -AB-2o22 Advanced purified demonstration water. LEGIN FO.LEGISLATU RE.CA.GOV Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 6 at 9:00am Wondering how to dispose of unused or expired medication? Check out our PSA.#What2Flush ;d.com/.../what-.../oharmaceutica I-d isoosal-orog ram Orange County Sanitation District : Pharmaceutical Disposal Program Unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that are put in drains or flushed down the toilet pollute the environment,please take medication as prescribed and dispose of unused portions properly.What you should... OCSD.COM Oranas County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 4 at 2:37pm Just a reminder that this job posting will close on Thursday, October 6 at 5 p.m. Please share with anyone who may be interested. OCSD Opens Recruitment for an Engineering Manager Position. http7//vvvvw.ocsd.com/about-ocsd1 obs/ob-openincis Orange County Sanitation District : Job Openings ®2016 Orange County Sanitation District.All Rights Reserved.Website Created by Vision Internet-The Government website experts OCSD.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 4 at 9:01 am Do you know why removing#wastewater grit matters? Click the link to learn more. 39 htto:Hwww.hydro-i nt.com/en-ob/grit-removal Grit Removal Grit and other solid materials are a costly component of both process water and wastewater,clogging systems, reducing efficiencies and causing abrasion damage and wear that lead to increased cleaning, maintenance and repair. HYDRO-INT.COM Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 3 at 9:00am "The man who has no imagination has no wings."—Muhammad Ali #MotivationMonday Boost Post 10 Orange County Sanitation District Published by Kelly Newell October 2 at 9:00am Did you know that OCSD has been around for 60 plus years? Check out our history video to learn more about us. Iwatch?v=ieYTH81 JrXw OCSD 6oth Anniversary History Video Celebrating an important part of OC's past, present,and future YOUTUBE.COM 40 ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT Agenda Terminology Glossary Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations AQMD Air Quality Management District ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand CARB California Air Resources Board CASA California Association of Sanitation Agencies CCTV Closed Circuit Television CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CIP Capital Improvement Program CRWQCB California Regional Water Quality Control Board CWA Clean Water Act CWEA California Water Environment Association EIR Environmental Impact Report EMT Executive Management Team EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease gpd Gallons per day GWR System Groundwater Replenishment System (also called GWRS) ICS Incident Command System IERP Integrated Emergency Control Plan LOS Level of Service MGD Million gallons per day NACWA National Association of Clean Water Agencies NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NWRI National Water Research Institute O&M Operations and Maintenance OCCOG Orange County Council of Governments OCHCA Orange County Health Care Agency OCSD Orange County Sanitation District OCWD Orange County Water District COBS Ocean Outfall Booster Station OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PCSA Professional Consultant Services Agreement POTW Publicly Owned Treatment Works ppm Parts per million PSA Professional Services Agreement RFP Request For Proposal Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board SARFPA Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency SARI Santa Ana River Inceptor SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board 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 SRF State Revolving Fund 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 WIFIA Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act 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 known 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. Blogas — A gas that is produced by the action of anaerobic bacteria on organic waste matter in a digester tank that can be used as a fuel. 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. coil are the most common bacteria in wastewater. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations Collections system — In wastewater, it is the system of typically underground pipes that receive and convey sanitary wastewater or storm water. Certificate of Participation (COP) — A type of financing where an investor purchases a share of the lease revenues of a program rather than the bond being secured by those revenues. Contaminants of Potential Concern (CPC) — Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants. Dilution to Threshold (D/T) — the dilution at which the majority of the people detect the odor becomes the D/T 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 of non-reclaimable wastewater from the upper Santa Ana River basin to the ocean for disposal, after treatment. Sanitary sewer — Separate sewer systems specifically for the carrying of domestic and industrial wastewater. Combined sewers carry both wastewater and urban run-off. South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) — Regional regulatory agency that develops plans and regulations designed to achieve public health standards by reducing emissions from business and industry. Secondary treatment — Biological wastewater treatment, particularly the activated-sludge process, where bacteria and other microorganisms consume dissolved nutrients in wastewater. Sludge— Untreated solid material created by the treatment of wastewater. Total suspended solids (TSS)—The amount of solids floating and in suspension in wastewater. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations Trickling filter — A biological secondary treatment process in which bacteria and other microorganisms, growing as slime on the surface of rocks or plastic media, consume nutrients in wastewater as it trickles over them. Urban runoff — Water from city streets and domestic properties that carry pollutants into the storm drains, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Wastewater—Any water that enters the sanitary sewer. Watershed —A land area from which water drains to a particular water body. OCSD's service area is in the Santa Ana River Watershed.