HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-11-2019 LaPA Committee Agenda Packet02/11/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 1 of 2
Orange County Sanitation District
Meeting of the LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Monday, February 11, 2019 12:00 P.M. Administration Building Board Room
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 Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for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 onDecember 10, 2018.
NON-CONSENT:
None.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
2.WASTEWATER ORDINANCE UPDATE (Lorenzo Tyner)
3.LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long)
4.PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
02/11/2019 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Page 2 of 2
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT:
The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2019 at 12:00 p.m.
Accommodations for the Disabled: Meeting Rooms are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board’s office at (714) 593-7433 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2, this agenda
has been posted outside the main gate of the Sanitation District’s Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, and on the Sanitation District’s website at www.ocsd.com, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all, or a majority of the Board of Directors, are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board. 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, MMC 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 jherberg@ocsd.com Assistant General Manager Rob Thompson (714) 593-7310 rthompson@ocsd.com
Assistant General Manager Lorenzo Tyner (714) 593-7550 ltyner@ocsd.com
Director of Environmental Services VACANT
Public Affairs Supervisor Jennifer Cabral (714) 593-7581 jjcabral@ocsd.com Senior Public Affairs Specialist Rebecca Long (714) 593-7444 rlong@ocsd.com
12/10/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 1 of 3
MINUTES OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Orange County Sanitation District Monday, December 10, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Committee Chair Peter Kim on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 12:01 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Committee Vice-Chair Bernstein led the pledge of allegiance.
A quorum was declared present, as follows:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Peter Kim, Chair
Allan Bernstein, Vice-Chair
John Withers, Member-At-Large Donald P. Wagner, Member-At-Large Chad Wanke, Member-At-Large David Shawver, Board Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: VACANT – Board Vice-Chair
STAFF PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager
Rob Thompson, Assistant General Manager
Lorenzo Tyner, Assistant General Manager Celia Chandler, Director of Human Resources Jim Colston, Director of Environmental Services Kelly Lore, Clerk of the Board
Jennifer Cabral
Tanya Chong Daisy Covarrubias Alfredo Garcia Rebecca Long
Kelly Newell
Thomas Vu
OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel
David French, ENS Resources (via teleconference) Eric O’Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA) Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA)
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Committee Chair Kim did not provide a report.
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER:
General Manager Jim Herberg indicated Director of Environmental Services Jim Colston will be retiring after 29 years. The Committee wished him well.
ITEM NO. 1
12/10/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3
CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Clerk of the Board) MOVED, SECONDED, and DULY CARRIED TO: Approve minutes for the Committee meeting held on November 5, 2018.
AYES: Bernstein, Kim, Shawver, Wagner and Wanke
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Withers
The Committee Chair reordered the agenda to hear Supplemental Item No. 5 prior to the Information Items.
NON-CONSENT: 5. 2019 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY PLAN (Jennifer Cabral)
Ms. Cabral provided a brief overview and history of the item. She announced
that both ENS Resources and TPA will provide an overview of this year’s accomplishments to the Board of Directors at the December Board meeting. MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Recommend to the Board
of Directors to: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2019 Legislative
and Regulatory Plan.
AYES: Bernstein, Kim, Shawver, Wagner and Wanke
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Withers
INFORMATION ITEMS: 2. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE (Rebecca Long) Chair Kim introduced David French, ENS Resources, who updated the
Committee on the following items: Budget; possible, partial government
shutdown due to the border wall budget; Orange County delegation shift; and Congressional change of priorities and focus. Director Withers arrived at the meeting at 12:09 p.m.
Eric O’Donnell, TPA, provided a PowerPoint presentation with information including: Congressional election results with newly elected members of the legislature; political implications; Governor-Elect Newsom’s 2019 priorities: Fiscal responsibility, incrementalism, disaster relief, early childhood education,
12/10/2018 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3
affordable housing/homelessness; and bill concept updates and next steps
including working with CASA and CSDA.
Discussion ensued on the importance of reaching out to all of the newly elected officials. Mr. Herberg indicated the method that is used for outreach will include: congratulatory letter and welcome invitation to tour the District (tours will include
OCSD Directors) and a visit to the delegation at local offices, etc.
3.PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE (Jennifer Cabral)
Ms. Cabral summarized the outreach efforts made over the last month.
4.ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT MEMBERSHIPS(Jennifer Cabral)
Ms. Cabral provided an informational item regarding the list of approximately 30
agencies, associations, and organizations of which the Sanitation District are
currently members. She explained the purpose of the memberships and levelof participation.
Staff responded to questions and comments from the committee regarding:
cost-sharing abilities; grants; verification that memberships/agencies are
apolitical/no aggressive political issues; request for a more detailed matrix withadditional columns: lead person, lead staff person, what level of participation(gold, silver, etc.) the cost of each one, and information on membershipappropriate for board member participation.
OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Committee Chair Kim declared the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, February 11, 2019 at
12:00 p.m.
Submitted by:
____________________Kelly A. Lore, MMCClerk of the Board
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LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 02/11/19 To Bd. of Dir. --
AGENDA REPORT Item Number 2 Item Number --
Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Lorenzo Tyner, Assistant General Manager SUBJECT: WASTEWATER ORDINANCE UPDATE
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only.
BACKGROUND Staff will provide a report on the upcoming Wastewater Ordinance Update. RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with environmental permit requirements
• Ordinance No. OCSD-48 ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package:
N/A
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LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 02/11/19 To Bd. of Dir. --
AGENDA REPORT Item Number 3 Item Number --
Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only.
BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District) legislative affairs program includes advocating the Sanitation District’s legislative interests, sponsoring legislation (where appropriate), and seeking Federal/State funding for projects.
Staff will provide an update on recent legislative activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities 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 its 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 to fertilize crops and energy used to help power the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach.
PROPOSED SOLUTION Continue to 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 District, the wastewater industry, and the community as a whole.
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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 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Since the legislature was sworn in on December 3, there have been approximately 400 bills introduced. About a quarter of these bills are empty budget trailer bills. It is expected
that this number will increase to approximately 2,400 bills before the bill introduction
deadline on February 22. As part of our annual outreach to the newly elected members of the legislature and their staff, an invitation and informational email has been sent inviting them to a presentation
and tour of our facility. Within the next few weeks, we will also extend an invitation to
those who have already been seated for some time, and to the Orange County Congressional Delegation and their staff. As part of our 2019 legislative advocacy, staff recently met with newly elected
Assemblyman Tyler Diep’s staff to discuss the Sanitation District’s priorities and goals.
Additionally, during this meeting staff invited the Assemblyman and his staff to take a plant tour. During the visit, the Assemblyman’s staff relayed that they are very focused on community-based activities and needs in the District. The staff also communicated during the meeting their interest in learning more about the Sanitation District and the
Groundwater Replenishment System.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Update - ENS Resources
• State Update & Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs
• Grant Matrix
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: January 20, 2019 SUBJECT: Washington Update
Efforts to develop a pathway to finalize fiscal year 2019 spending bills, including United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), remain stymied as Congress and the White House are at loggerheads over the issue of funding or not funding the border wall. Based upon current discussions with congressional and administration officials, it appears that the shutdown could extend for another several weeks. The unknown factor is the impact of the shutdown on a diverse range of federal programs that range from corporate financial reporting to the Securities Exchange Commission to welfare payments to judicial actions, including environmental violations enforcement activities and funding of infrastructure. According to congressional staff the shuttering of such programs is beginning to have ripple effects on the economy, along with the economic impacts of furloughing of 800,000 bureaucrats. However, it is important to note that programs funded under the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, including Water Infrastructure for Improvements to the Nation (WIIN) assistance for water recycling that supports OCSD’s ongoing research, are unaffected. This is the case because Congress approved United States Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR’s) budget last year and therefore USBR programs are fully funded and exempt from impacts related to the ongoing border wall debate.
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The shutdown impacts on USEPA programs does not directly impact OCSD at this time. However, indirectly, efforts to clarify which waters are subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act could have consequences for OCSD operations. Specifically, USEPA, prior to the shutdown, was expediting the rewrite of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. USEPA planned to launch the public comment period in January that would then lead shortly after the closing of the comment period to finalization of the rule. Now, it is unclear when the rule might be finalized. The current regulatory exemption provided to POTWs from further regulation remains in place, but because the rulemaking process remains frozen, it will require continued monitoring to ensure that the exemption remains in place once a final rule is drafted in the coming months.
The 116th Congress Convenes On January 3, the 116th Congress convened and elected the leadership for the next two years. As reported, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was elected Speaker, becoming the first Member of Congress in 55 years to reclaim the speakership. The Republican leader will be Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). It is important to note that for the first time in modern history of the House of Representatives, the chamber’s leaders will be from the same state. When Congress convened, it also adopted rules that will govern the legislative operations of the House during the 116th Congress. Under the new rules, legislation that is bipartisan will enjoy enhanced status for scheduling floor debate and votes. While the current political atmosphere over the shutdown makes bipartisan legislation more difficult, once a resolution is developed, it is possible that legislative initiatives, like infrastructure, could benefit from the rule and receive expedited House action. OCSD’s congressional delegation underwent one of the most dramatic changes of any state. The election of Freshman Representatives Rouda, Levin, Porter, and Cisneros, joining Representatives Alan Lowenthal and Lou Correa makes the Orange County congressional delegation unified by party affiliation. Committee assignments have been made and in an important assignment, Representative Rouda was selected to sit on the all-important Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, providing OCSD with another delegation Member to work with (in addition to Representative Lowenthal) on the committee as water infrastructure legislation is considered. In the Senate, Senator Dianne Feinstein will continue to serve as the senior Democrat on the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Appropriations. In this role, Feinstein will continue to advocate for funding of water infrastructure programs and projects. And the Senator will also continue to sit on the Subcommittee on Interior and Environment Appropriations with the responsibility for funding USEPA water infrastructure programs and overall water quality programs. In each instance, we expect the Senator will continue to work to provide California with maximum funding of water infrastructure assistance.
Rewrite of the Clean Water Rule (WOTUS) Impacted by Shutdown
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ENS Resources, Inc. 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 1005 Washington, D.C. 20006 Phone 202.466.3755/Telefax 202.466.3787
As Congress and the White House debate a funding resolution to reopen the federal government, congressional committees with jurisdiction over infrastructure are proceeding to develop an agenda to address water infrastructure policy. In the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, staff inform us that renewing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and addressing disadvantaged communities’ needs is a top priority for action by the committee in the early months of the year. Additionally, our discussions with committee staff indicates a willingness to consider “common sense” regulatory reforms like permit term extension as part of infrastructure legislation. Within the water recycling arena, Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) has indicated that she will reintroduce her legislation to expand the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s water recycling program, Title XVI/WIIN, providing $500 million to support project construction assistance. In the Senate, we expect that Senator Feinstein will also seek to enhance funding of water recycling project assistance under the WIIN Act that she authored four years ago. Based on the Senator’s efforts last year, we anticipate that any effort to renew WIIN could include providing a minimum of $100 million in new assistance. Assuming that such efforts are successful, OCSD could benefit since expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) would be eligible for such funding, given the current award that OCSD received under WIIN.
Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Development While Congress and the White House continue to grapple with the shutdown, another issue looms over the horizon. Under the Budget Control and Impoundment Act, the Administration is required to transmit its proposed budget for FY 2020 on the first Monday in February. However, with the shutdown of twenty-five percent of the federal government, the ability to finalize a unified FY 2020 budget request is unlikely by this date. Therefore, the prospect of a budget process proceeding with a formal Administration request may be less likely compared with past years when delays occurred due to shutdowns. If this comes to pass, it is possible that congressional spending committees will proceed in May with the development of spending priorities, using fiscal year 2018 spending levels as baseline numbers. If this happens, the disruption to orderly budget making could lead to improved funding of water infrastructure and water quality programs, since congressional appropriators would proceed using favorable budget assumptions that allowed for full funding of such programs in prior budget cycles.
Infrastructure Policy Front and Center
To: Orange County Sanitation District
From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc.
Date: January 21, 2019
Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report
State Political Update
The Legislature returned from Interim Recess on January 7 to start the first year of a new two-year legislative session. This year brings big changes, as Gavin Newsom was sworn in to start
his four-year gubernatorial term. Furthermore, the Legislature has seen changes as Democrats have convincingly secured a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the Assembly.
Since the Legislature was sworn in on December 3, there have been approximately 400 bills introduced. About a quarter of those bills are empty budget trailer bills. It is expected that this number will increase to approximately 2,400 bills before the bill introduction deadline on February 22. Once bills have been introduced, they must sit for 30 days before they can be acted on. Below is a list of upcoming deadlines in the Legislature:
• February 22 – Last day for new bills to be introduced
• April 11 – Spring Recess begins
Governor Newsom’s January Budget On January 10, Governor Newsom released his FY 2019-2020 Budget proposal, the first step in the Budget process. The Budget includes $144 billion from the State’s General Fund as well as approximately $65 billion from special accounts and bond appropriations, bringing the total Budget amount to $209 billion and making it the largest California Budget in history. Continuing Governor Brown’s theme of saving funds, Governor Newsom proposes banking $4.8 billion in the State’s Rainy-Day Fund. Governor Newsom’s Budget also contributes $4.8 billion to pay down a
portion of the State’s unfunded pension liability and spends an addition $4 billion for debt service. The Legislative Analyst’s Office had estimated the Budget surplus for the upcoming budget year would be $15 billion, however Governor Newsom is estimating that number to be $21.4 billion in his proposal due to carryover of funds and expectations of slower growth in Medi-Cal. Given the large anticipated surplus, the Governor was able to propose substantial funding in several priority
areas, such as early childhood and higher education, affordable housing, alleviating poverty and homelessness, expanding access to health care, paid family leave, and overhauling California’s emergency preparedness.
Water
Governor Newsom’s Budget included $168.5 million from Proposition 68 for safe drinking water projects throughout the State. This money will be used for both grants and loans to primarily disadvantaged communities who are unable to provide access to clean drinking water for their customers. This money will also be used for technical assistance to help these communities and water systems plan and implement projects that will be long-term solutions.
January 2019 Report 2
The Governor also included $10 million from the General Fund for both emergency water and interim alternate water solutions as well as an additional $10 million from the General Fund for
targeted technical assistance. One of the most significant positions in the Budget was the inclusion of the Safe and Affordable
Drinking Water Fund. Although specific language is not yet available, this proposed Fund is expected to be consistent with SB 623 (Monning, 2017) and language included in Governor Brown’s proposed 2018-2019 Budget. That language was ultimately not included in the 2018-2019 adopted Budget. The Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund will be funded through a combination of fertilizer fees, dairy fees, and a tax on drinking water in urban and compliant water systems and will provide grants and loans to failing water systems. Shortly after the budget announcement, Governor Newsom and his cabinet staff took an impromptu trip to Ceres in Stanislaus County to visit with residents who lack access to clean and affordable drinking water and engage in a roundtable discussion with the community. Governor Newsom did not announce the trip to Stanislaus County to the media or any of his cabinet staff.
This trip to the Central Valley merely days after being sworn in to talk to those affected the most by failing water systems signals the Governor’s commitment to the issue going forward.
Cap and Trade
Governor Newsom included $1 billion in Cap and Trade funds in his 2019-2020 Budget. Since
the re-authorization and legal victories for the Cap and Trade program in 2017 and 2018, revenues have been consistently high. The proposed Cap and Trade expenditure plan is largely consistent with previous appropriations of funding and continues to prioritize clean vehicle rebates
and modernization, as well as resilient forestry and fuel reduction. The expenditure plan also includes $25 million for waste diversion programs through CalRecycle. It is unclear how the agency will spend this money, however TPA will be sure to coordinate with the Sanitation District to advocate for its priority projects.
New Proposals Governor Newsom introduced a new proposal aimed at incentivizing housing production during the budget announcement press conference. The Governor’s Budget calls for the revamping the current Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which determines the amount
and type of housing regions and local jurisdictions must produce to meet their need. Utilizing local input, the Administration is proposing to move the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to a more enforcement role as opposed to the traditional advisory role in the
RHNA process. During his press conference, Governor Newsom claimed that jurisdictions who are not meeting
their RHNA targets will not receive their SB 1 transportation funding. Although this enforcement and compliance tool will likely not be instituted until after a full RHNA revamp that could last several years, it shows the willingness of the administration to address the State’s housing shortage by any means necessary.
OCSD
State
Bills of Interest
BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS
AB 68 Ting [D]The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes a local agency to provide, by ordinance, for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family
and multifamily residential zones and sets forth required ordinance
standards, including, among others, maximum unit size, parking, and
height standards. This bill would prohibit an ordinance from imposing
requirements on minimum lot size, lot coverage, or floor area ratio, and
would prohibit an ordinance from establishing size requirements for
accessory dwelling units that do not permit at least an 800 square feet
unit of at least 16 feet in height to be constructed.
Introduced Watch Legislative and
Regulatory
Policies: Special
Districts - Oppose
further state
regulations that
adversely impact
special district
financing,
operations, and
administration.
TBD
AB 69 Ting [D]Would authorize the Department of Housing and Community Development to submit written findings to a local agency as to whether the local ordinance complies with state law, and to notify the Attorney General if the ordinance violates state law. The bill would require a local agency to consider the department’s findings and would authorize the local agency to amend its ordinance to comply with state law or adopt a resolution with findings explaining why the ordinance complies with state law, and addressing the department’s findings.
Introduced Watch Legislative and
Regulatory
Policies: Special
Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration.
TBD
Proposed Legislation 2019-2020
High Priority
OCSD
State
Bills of Interest
BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONSAB 129 Bloom [D]Would declare the intent of the Legislature to, among other things, enact legislation to recognize the emerging threat that microfibers pose to the environment and water quality and would make related findings and declarations.
Introduced Watch State Priorities:
Support legislation
or regulations that
restrict the use of
microplastics in
any product that is disposed of through the sewer system.
TBD
SB 13 Weickowski [D]Would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that
would reduce impact fees and other existing barriers for homeowners
seeking to create accessory dwelling units for the purpose of creating
additional residential housing within their neighborhoods.
Introduced Watch Legislative and Regulatory
Policies: Special
Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration.
TBD
OCSD
State
Bills of Interest
BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONSSB 134 Hertzberg [D]Current law authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to issue information orders, written notices, and conservation orders to an urban retail water supplier that does not meet its urban water use objective, and existing law authorizes the board to impose civil liability for a violation of an order or regulation issued pursuant to these provisions, as specified. Current law requires the board, no earlier than January 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2020, to adopt rules requiring
urban retail water suppliers to meet performance standards for the
volume of water losses. This bill would prohibit the board from imposing
liability for a violation of the performance standards for the volume of
water losses except as part of the enforcement of an urban water use
objective.
Introduced Watch Legislative and
Regulatory Policies: Water
Quality and
Supply - Support legislation and regulation that necessitate the responsible use of water in residential, commercial, and industrial areas
TBD
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
ACWA - Association of California Water Agencies
CSDA - California Special Districts Association
Name of Grant/Loan Synopsis of Grant/Loan Amount of Grant/Loan Amount
Applying for Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Match Deadline Category Rcvd Grant/
Financing Y/N
Cap and Trade Funding
$1 billion from the Cap and Trade program (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) was proposed to be appropriated in
the Governor's January Budget. A Cap and Trade Expenditure plan will be considered later this legislative session.
$25 million - Waste Diversion Projects. Specifics TBD TBD TBD TBD
The Cap and Trade Expenditure Plan
will need to go through the legislative process. It is uncertain how much funding will be available for the
District's projets, or what the funding
will be used for.
TBD Unknown at this time Energy/Recycling TBD
Integrated Regional Water Management
(IRWM) Grant Program
The Proposition 1 IRWM Grant Program, administered by DWR, provides funding for projects that help meet the long
term water needs of the state, including:
Assisting water infrastructure systems adapt to climate change;
Providing incentives throughout each watershed to collaborate in managing the region's water resources and setting regional priorities for water infrastructure
TBD NA No TBD
TPA and OCSD are monitoring the grant program development from the
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). The solicitation for bids was announced by SAWPA and staff determined that an
application for funding was not warranted due to a lack of eligible and competitive projects.
Yes. Details TBD Unknown at this time Water TBD
The Water Infrastructure Improvements Act (WIIN)
The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects
funding opportunity allows for sponsors of water
reclamation and reuse projects that are congressionally authorized or are eligible under section 4009(c) of the WIIN Act to request cost-shared funding for planning, design and/or construction of those Projects. Water
reclamation and reuse projects provide improved efficiency, flexibility during water shortages and diversifies the water supply.
Reclamation is making up to $20 million
available for those projects authorized under the WIIN Act and $34 million for the congressionally authorized Title XVI projects.
$550,000 Yes Final Expansion of GWRS Headworks (P2-122)
The Sanitation District is applying for
Headworks Segregation project that will help to bring more water to the GWRS.
Title 16 will pay up to 25 percent of the available money 7/27/2018 Water/ Infrastructure TBD
Stormwater and CSO Grant Program USEPA is authorized to provide grants assistance fo public agenceis to control stormwater flows and CSO's Funding cost-share is not identeifed in the law TBD TBD. We will monitor for possible funding opportunitiesN/A TBD Funding must be apprpropriated as part of current FY 2019 budget impasse TBD TBD Water/ Infrastructure TBD
The Department of Energy (DOE), USBR and USEPA
The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency is likely to continue to be funded by Congress to support such
efforts as biogas, biosolids and green energy.
A minimum of $20 million to as much as $100
million based upon prior years’ budgets.
USBR could receive as much as $130 million in support of the WaterSmart (due to increased funding under WIIN) during the next
several years. USBR will issue solicitations for
innovative approaches to managing water and water treatment through technology and processes.
TBD TBD. We will monitor for possible funding opportunities
Project Funding Opportunity: Energy production to reduce
costs of recycled water
through innovative technologies like Aquacritox, Innovative water monitoring
technology that can produce
efficient real time monitoring and data analysis, Biogas Management and Use
Improvements.
We will review the possible funding opportunity to determine if it is a fit for
the Sanitation District.
TBD Energy TBD
OCSD's Grant and Loan Funding Tracker 2018-2019
STATE
FEDERAL
Updated 1/22/2019
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LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Meeting Date 02/11/19 To Bd. of Dir. --
AGENDA REPORT Item Number 4 Item Number --
Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Jennifer Cabral, Public Affairs Supervisor SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only.
BACKGROUND
Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
• 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.
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. TIMING CONCERNS
N/A
Page 2 of 3
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 January 2019
Activity # # of Guests
OCSD/OCWD Tours 9 199
OCSD Tours 11 196
Speaking Engagements 3 100
Orange County Sanitation District Receives District Transparency Certificate of Excellence The Sanitation District has been awarded the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) District Transparency Certificate of Excellence for the third consecutive time. The program promotes transparency in the operations and governance of special districts.
The certificate is obtained every two years and includes three main subject areas: Basic
Transparency Requirements; Website Requirements; and Outreach Requirements. These are only a sampling of the many requirements necessary to complete the transparency certificate. A representative from CSDA recognized the Sanitation District at the January Board Meeting.
Orange County Sanitation District Takes Part in Orange County’s Regional Governance Orientation As part of the Association of California Cities in Orange County, the Sanitation District’s General Manager presented at the 2019 New Council Member Orientation at Angel
Stadium on January 10. Approximately 30 newly elected public officials were present
and were orientated to the various regional agencies and the role each plays in Orange County governance. Orange County Sanitation District is a Contender for CWEA Award
Last month, the Public Affairs Office was interviewed by the Santa Ana River Basin Section of the California Water Environment Association as a contender for the Community Engagement and Outreach Project of the Year. The Sanitation District submitted applications for two of its outreach programs as potential award recipients. The Plant No. 2 Outreach Program and the Tour Program were both nominated for their efforts
in promoting the Sanitation District’s Capital Improvement Program and the agency’s overall message of environmental stewards.
Page 3 of 3
CWEA Filming On Thursday, January 31, April Frost, Lead Plant Operator (Plant No. 2 Operations) was interviewed by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) for the
www.CAWaterjobs.org website that promotes careers in the water and wastewater field. During her interview, she talked about her career path, how she ended up in this industry, and her perspective as being a female in a male dominated industry. During the interview, she highlighted her passion for the work she does and highly encouraged others to join the industry; she feels like she is truly making a difference in her community.
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.com) with the complete agenda package:
• Outreach Report January 2019
• Media Clips January 2019
Outreach January 2019
Date Event Attendees
1/2/19 Board Member Jesus Silva Tour 1
1/4/19 West Coast Nursing Tour 20
1/8/19 Dana Hills HS Tours 40
1/10/19 Dana Hills HS Tours 40
1/10/19 ACCOC Presentation 30
1/11/19 Katella HS Tours 60
1/14/19 Katella HS Tours 60
1/15/19 El Modena HS Tour 25
1/16/19 Katella HS Tours 60
1/17/19 Keystone Academy Tour 25
1/18/19 Katella HS Tours 60
1/22/19 Gilbert HS Tour 20
1/23/19 Speaking Engagement ‐ Business Development Assoc. of OC 40
1/24/19 Edison HS Tour 15
1/24/19 Speaking Engagement ‐ RPS Group 40
1/25/19 Godinez HS Tours 52
1/28/19 Operator Class III Tour 20
1/28/19 STEM Career Panel Presentation 30
1/29/19 New Employee/Open Tour 20
1/30/19 Tesoro HS Tour 40
2/1/19 Science And Engineering Club Tour 20
2/5/19 Katella HS Tours 45
2/6/19 San Clemente HS Tours 50
OCSD Public Affairs Office
Monthly News Clippings
January 2019
Table of Contents
GWRS…………………………………………… ................................ PAGE 1
December 10, 2018
ACWA’s 2018 Huell Howser Best in Blue Award
By: California Water News Daily Staff
California Water News Daily
HUMAN INTEREST…………………………………………… ................. PAGE 3
December 1, 2018
Possible federal funding deal on Delta Water project
By: Shelly Henderson
Orange County Breeze
December 3, 2018
Deja Poo
By: Joey Racano
New Times
January 2, 2019
Lessons from Orange County, California’s water strategy
By: John Addison
Green Biz
SPILLS…………………………………………… ................................. PAGE 11
November 27, 2018
OC Health Care Agency closed North Star Beach due to sewage
spill
By: Orange County Breeze Staff
Orange County Breeze
January 10, 2019
300-gallon sewage spill
By: Daily Pilot Staff
Daily Pilot
TWITTER POSTINGS …………………………………………… ............. PAGE 15
FACEBOOK POSTINGS ……………………………………………………PAGE 19
1
ACWA’s 2018 Huell Howser Best in Blue
Award for Communications Excellence Goes
to OCWD
By California Water News Daily on December 10, 2018
The path from project concept to reality and on to a robust communications plan to dispel the “yuck factor”
has been an extensive undertaking for the Orange County Water District (OCWD). But their efforts were
recently acknowledged and celebrated at the annual Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)Fall
Conference held in San Diego.
OCWD was honored with the 2018 Huell Howser Best in Blue Award from the Association of California
Water Agencies (ACWA) for the water district’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Bottled
Water Campaign. The GWRS Bottled Water Campaign was launched to help the public move past the
perceived “yuck factor” of drinking advanced purified wastewater and to generate support for similar
recycled water projects. OCWD worked together with Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) and Dick
Jones Communications to draft a communications plan for the campaign.
The campaign was comprised of programs and events tailored to reach numerous audiences and was
made possible when legislation was enacted in 2017 that permitted the bottling of GWRS water. OCWD,
OCSD, and WateReuse California had worked together and led efforts beginning in 2016 to pass AB 2022,
which allows the bottling of advanced purified water for educational purposes. In 2017, OCWD and OCSD
became the first to bottle such water in the Western Hemisphere.
The communications plan included:
Four primary campaign events including – the GWRS Bottled Recycled Water launch; the
#GetOverIt! challenge for media and social media influencers to taste GWRS water and report
about it; the Winter Fest community party to celebrate the GWRS 10th Anniversary; and the
Guinness World Records™ attempt to recycle the most wastewater to drinking water in 24 hours.
Ongoing primary campaign tools including – the bottled water, a website, a custom media kit,
presentations, event participation, videos, press releases, articles, and additional activities.
The distribution of more than 13,000 bottles of recycled water. Nearly 17,000 people were engaged
in project participation.
ROI for the campaign included positive media coverage and increased awareness of and support for water
recycling. This included reporters and social media influencers that were key to helping the campaign
expand its reach.
California Water News Daily
December 10, 2018
2
“The increased visibility from the campaign helped to overcome ‘toilet-to-tap’ misconceptions and gain
support of water reuse for future infrastructure and program investments on the public’s behalf,” stated
OCWD President Denis Bilodeau. “Staff answered questions, debunked myths and the tasting made
believers out of the doubters. The positive discussion of recycled water is now magnified.”
The Huell Howser Best in Blue Award is named in honor of Huell Howser, the television personality best
known for his series “California Gold,” which explored the natural, cultural and historical features of
California. The award recognizes outstanding achievements by public water agencies in communicating
with customers, legislators, media, the public, and others.
“This is a special honor for us because Huell Howser put the Groundwater Replenishment System on the
map,” stated OCWD Board Member Cathy Green. “He came to the Fountain Valley facility when it was in
demonstration mode, spent an entire day exploring all that was involved in making high-quality purified
water from wastewater, and he drank the product water on camera ending with a hearty ‘Oh Boy’ of
approval. Having such a prestigious, well-liked and trusted personality, as Huell was, went far to give our
project a stamp of approval.”
3
Possible federal funding deal on Delta water
project
DECEMBER 1ST, 2018 SHELLEY HENDERSON ENVIRONMENT, GOVERNMENT 0 COMMENTS
Prado Dam is an above-ground water storage facility of the Orange County Water District. Courtesy photo.
The current lame duck session of Congress may work out to be a bit less lame if what the Sacramento Bee
reports results in legislation signed by President Trump:
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, the
House majority leader, are leading the push to fold an extension of expiring provisions
in the 2016 Water Infrastructure for Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act into the
year-end spending bill that Congress must pass this month. And on Friday, they won
the endorsement of Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.
The legislation would make hundreds of millions of federal dollars available for
California water storage projects as well as desalination and water recycling
programs.
Orange County Breeze
December 1, 2018
4
The WIIN Act also gives the federal government’s Central Valley Project and the State
Water Project more operational flexibility to increase water deliveries at certain times
of year to the south state through the massive pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta, leaving less water in the system for Chinook salmon and other endangered
species.
The ability to pump more water has become a key demand of local water agencies
that are in the midst of trying to negotiate a water flow agreement for the lower San
Joaquin River watershed.
More water flowing south is good, even for those of us sitting on an easily accessible underground water
supply here in northern Orange County.
But note that the funding can be used for more than just leaving the Delta smelt floundering in mud flats.
Sweetening sea water and cleaning waste water can also use the money.
And did somebody say “water storage?” That does not necessarily mean new above-ground reservoirs.
Here in northern Orange County, a huge portion of our water supply comes from underground. Recharging
that aquifer is A Good Thing™ and we have a world-class Groundwater Replenishment System. (I
recommend touring the facility.) Part of the water that flows out of the GWRS gets used to prevent
seawater from seeping in and contaminating our groundwater supply. The rest is used to recharge our
groundwater basin! Right now, the Orange County Water District maintains two recharge basins in
Anaheim. Adding another recharge basin is worth a look-see as a use of that federal money.
Text of Governor Brown’s statement of support
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement on Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) provisions proposed today by House Majority Leader Kevin
McCarthy and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“I support the 7-year extension of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, including
important provisions that House Majority Leader McCarthy and Senator Feinstein have proposed that
enable California water users to participate in voluntary agreements and help improve river flows to restore
fish populations.”
5
New Times San Luis Obispo
https://www.newtimesslo.com/sanluisobispo/deja-poo/Content?oid=7114437
Deja poo
Somebody needs to apologize to the Shredder
BY JOEY RACANO
Perhaps the CIA is giving me doses of LSD at night, causing severe and frightening flashbacks.
That's all I can think of to account for what I read in the amazing opinion piece by Linda Stedjee
("Morro Bay's issues are serious," Nov. 22). The normally even-keeled Stedjee (whom I've often
read, never met) came down hard on the Shredder for not doing serious research before writing
on the issue of Morro Bay sewage discharge and the effect it has on the marine environment
("Trouble right here in Morro Bay," Nov. 15).
Well, I'm here to tell you, Linda, it is you who seem to have been hoodwinked on the issue. And
from the sound of it, your "research" amounted to digging up very old propaganda developed by
the Orange County Sanitation District just prior to the massive "waiver wars" of Orange County
in the early 2000s. During the bruising 14-month battle to force the OCSD to give up their 301(h)
sewage waiver—which they finally did, at a July 17, 2002, Orange County Sanitation District JPA
(Joint Powers Agency) meeting—they used some of the hundreds of millions of dollars they were
supposed to be using on sewage treatment to print up glossy fold-out presentations ridiculously
postulating (as you have in your silly opinion piece) that an outfall pipe dumping fecal debris
could somehow evolve into an artificial reef. Imagine my chagrin at seeing that old ghost rise
from the dead of my past! I thought we had beaten such ignorance down!
The way I originally refuted such a stupid notion was to tell the board that, "If it really is true,
and these outfall pipes are good for the ocean, then why don't we build more of them, perhaps
one right beneath the Huntington Beach Pier?" Around that time, the beaches were still closed
News Times
December 3, 2018
6
from high bacteria counts discovered on the Fourth of July in 1999. My group, Ocean Outfall
Group (which is still active), first put forth that idea and it was eventually what made Orange
County go from "worst to first," and it's now a world model for wastewater sustainability and
water replenishment.
I could go on to refute all of your ideas, such as when you said the current Morro Bay Wastewater
Plant doesn't hurt the marine environment (just wait till the heavy rains and raw sewage
overwhelm the plant, built in close proximity to the bay on purpose, to use the bay as an
emergency overflow), but what's the use? Your mind is already made up, and I don't want to
confuse you with the facts. Your next lesson should probably be on how dangerous it is for the
Morro Bay plant to use shortcuts to bypass full secondary treatment. That causes a process called
"encapsulation," where the pathogens stay alive inside a crust of disinfectant and fester in the
environment for 10 months!
Please apologize to Shredder. Δ
Joey Racano is the director of the Ocean Outfall Group and he resides in Los Osos. Send a response
for publication to letters@newtimesslo.com.
7
Lessons from Orange County,
California's water strategy
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/lessons-orange-county-californias-water-strategy
John Addison
Wednesday, January 2, 2019 - 12:45am
ShutterstockL. Powell
The Lake Mead side of the Hoover Dam shows the significant reduction in water levels.
Green Biz
January 2, 2019
8
This article originally appeared on MeetingoftheMinds.org.
Water is a serious issue for the cities of the world. Even in a wealthy nation such as the
United States, people die from toxic water in Flint, Michigan, confront megadroughts in
Los Angeles, face salinated aquifers in Miami and worry in Omaha about oil pipeline spills
in the Ogallala aquifer. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in its annual U.S.
infrastructure report card gives U.S. drinking water a grade of D. Water is the greatest
challenge in resiliency planning.
Southern California heavily depends on water from the Colorado River. Recent droughts
have caused water levels at the Lake Mead, our nation's largest reservoir, to drop over
100 feet. Shockingly, the lake is at only 38 percent of capacity. It is only 4 feet above the
legal emergency level of 1,075 feet. With droughts come more frequent and intense
wildfires. For the past five years, California has experienced wildfires 12 months per year.
Orange County's focus on water recycling and efficiency
In Southern California, the emergency is less of a threat for Orange County than for its
neighbors in Los Angeles County, San Diego County and Riverside Country.
In Orange County, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine and other cities support regional smart
water management with extensive recycling and world-leading technology for the water-
energy nexus. The Orange County Water District (OCWD) plays a major role in supplying
water to the 2.5 million people of the region along with agricultural, government and
industry interests.
The county's groundwater replenishment system is the
world's largest water purification system for indirect
potable reuse.
Over 250 billion gallons of clean drinking water have been recycled. The groundwater
replenishment system (GWRS) is the world's largest water purification system for indirect
potable reuse. The system takes 200 million gallons daily of wastewater that previously
would have been discharged into the Pacific Ocean and purifies it with many processes
that remove impurities and chemicals; it then uses natural filtration of basins,
microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide; and finally
recharges existing groundwater. Orange County denizens drink some of the world’s
cleanest water.
9
The groundwater basin is only 46 percent full, but that is an annual improvement thanks
to reduced pumping. After years of severe drought, water conservation is achieved with
carrots and sticks in Orange County. OCWD promotes drought-tolerant landscaping.
Water-conserving devices and rebates are offered. People get fined for hosing off
driveways or not using a shut-off nozzle when they wash their car.
Beyond centralized water recycling, water reuse is also done at the building level,
following zero-energy and living-design principles. Water efficiency, AMI (advanced
meters), leak detection, storage, infrastructure and the Internet of Things (IoT) with
sensors are all helping.
Large organizations have improved their water efficiency. As I toured the University of
California, Irvine, I saw some initiatives that save almost 400 million gallons of water
annually — recycling waste water for landscape irrigation, replacing some lawns with
water-wise meadow planting, conversion of the site's central plant to use reclaimed water
for cooling campus buildings, smart labs and using IoT sensors to detect leaks.
Over the decades, Orange County has transitioned from cattle ranches, orange groves
and crop fields to cities, campuses and entertainment destinations such as Disneyland.
Where water-intensive grazing and agriculture operations once required 87 percent of the
region’s water, their decline has saved water.
The water-energy nexus
In drought-stricken California, central power plants typically have used as much water as
the 40 million residents, including all homeowners with swimming pools. That is
changing. Coal power plants are gone. Water-thirsty nuclear reactors have been shut
down except the two at Diablo Canyon, scheduled for 2024 shutdown. Some 50 old once-
through water-cooled gas plants are being shuttered. All this power is being replaced
with solar and wind resources; storage technology, smart grid infrastructure and software
make renewables as reliable as nukes and gas plants.
Beyond centralized water recycling, water reuse is also
done at the building level, following zero-energy and living-
design principles.
California, Arizona and Nevada have a long history of fighting over water, especially from
the Colorado River. As the Hoover Dam reaches a critical low, many western states are
starting to cooperate over sharing renewable energy, reducing the need of water-thirsty
10
central power plants. The states that propose to share energy include California, Oregon,
Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho,
North Dakota and South Dakota.
Two years ago, schools were closed and thousands evacuated from homes, escaping a
2.5 million-pound-per-day methane leak in Aliso Canyon in Los Angeles County. The leak
took months to seal. Over its 16-year life in the atmosphere, methane traps about 100
times the heat of carbon dioxide (CO2). Los Angeles depended on the methane stored at
Aliso Canyon for dozens of power plants.
Southern California Edison (SCE), serving 15 million people in the LA area, acted at heroic
speed by utility standards. Already challenged with the closing of its last two nuclear
reactors, SCE also will close about 30 peaking gas (methane) plants.
By 2020, it also will close a number of larger once-through-water-cooled methane plants
because drought has forced California to prioritize water efficiency. The massive loss of
central generation is successfully being accommodated with renewables, energy-efficient
building retrofits, energy pricing and cloud services that move demand off-peak, and with
intelligent energy storage.
Teaming up with Advanced Microgrid Solutions, the Irvine Ranch Water District will use
an energy storage system to reduce its costs and help ease demand on the grid during
peak hours. The 7-MW, 34 megawatt-hour (MWh) storage network will use Tesla
batteries to store power at three water treatment plants, six pumping stations, a deep
water aquifer treatment plant and a groundwater desalter facility.
The desalination conundrum
A controversial 50 million-gallon-per-day desalination plant is in development in
Huntington Beach. Opponents see the plant as destructive to marine life and too costly,
with each gallon of water costing 2.5 times the cost of recycling. Supporters see it as
critical to Orange County’s growth, an appropriate response to droughts and necessary
with Hoover Dam only four feet above emergency level. Colorado already has curtailed
water rights in the Yampa River in response to dam level and severe drought conditions.
With extensive water recycling, Orange County is not new to water controversy. In the
face of increased fires and droughts, the region of 2.5 million is resilient with world-
leading recycling, shifting to renewables and increased efficiency from all water users.
During your next trip to Disneyland or one of the country’s beaches, add a tour of the
Orange County Water District operation. The team there are world leaders.
11
OC Health Care Agency closes North Star Beach
due to sewage spill
NOVEMBER 27TH, 2018
Orange County Breeze
The OC Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health division has closed the bay water area at North Star
Beach in Newport Beach due to a sewage spill. The spill of approximately 110 gallons was caused by a
blockage in a private property sewer line in Newport Beach.
The affected bay water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports until the results of follow-up
water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay or harbor postings and closures, please call 714-433-
6400 or visit our Web site at www.ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call 714-433-6419.
The article above was released by the Orange County Health Care Agency.
OC Health Care Agency
November 27, 2018
12
OC HCA closed North Star Beach in Newport Beach due to a sewage spill. Courtesy graphic.
13
A 500-foot stretch of the coast near Upland Road in Laguna Beach was closed after a sewage spill
Wednesday caused by a blocked sewer main, the Orange County Health Care Agency said. (Daily
Pilot)
January 10, 2019
The County of Orange Health Care Agency’s Environmental Health division has closed the ocean water
area in the City of Laguna Beach 250 feet upcoast and 250 feet downcoast from the projection of Upland
Road due to a sewage spill. The sewage spill of approximately 300 gallons was caused by a blockage at a
sewer main in Laguna Beach.
Daily Pilot
January 10, 2019
14
The affected ocean water area will remain closed to ocean water-contact sports until the results of follow-
up water quality monitoring meet acceptable standards.
For information regarding Orange County ocean, bay or harbor postings and closures, please call (714)
433-6400 or visit our website at ocbeachinfo.com. To report a sewage spill, please call (714) 433-6419.
The article above was released by the Orange County Health Care Agency.
15
Twitter Analytics
November – December 2018, January 2019
Twitter Posts
December 2018 / January 2019
16
Dec 2018 • 31 days
TWEET HIGHUGHTS
Top Tweet earned 604 impressions
DYK that you can be the environment's
super hero? Just remember that the toilet is
not a trashcan! Things like paper towels,
flushable wipes, meds, and hair can clog our
pipes and yours too. Help us protect the
wastewater flow & the environment by
keeping it as clean as possible!
pic.twitter.com/nOcxwMOxlD
The toilet is ooly meam
to lush the ttfiee P's-pee, poop and paper.
I View Tweet activity View an Tweet activity
Top Follower followed by 891 people
ocNEAL
@ocNEAl FOLLO>\SYOO
View profile View followers dashboard
Top mention earned 51 engagements
M MeSseO Comics 0 @MeSseOComics oec 19
"Who did it?'
"The hilarious potty, party game!'
<
OMG! This is a funny idea of poop !Ding
into a card game.
@MeSseOComics
@jollyplumbers @poop_project
@WorldToilet @YourMSO
@MSWmagazine @neorsd
@combinedsewer @OCSewers
@SFWater@PlumberMag @plumb
pic.twitter.com/zfEW6mNTr9
t."'\2 •11
View Tweet
Top media Tweet earned 427 impressions
Do you have a knack for warehousing
services? OCSD is looking for a Lead
Storekeeper who can perform a variety of
advanced level functions such as receiving
incoming items, unloading trucks, inspecting
items for damages, etc. Head over to
ocsd.comlabout-usljobs to learn more.
pic.twitter.com/iylNCOkqp6
t.'l1 .,
I View Tweet activity View all Tweet activity
DEC 2018 SUMMARY
Tweets Tweet impressioos
29 11.2K
Profile visits Mentions
222 20
New followers
5
17
Nov 2018 • 30 days
Top Tweet eame<l 7.022 tmpressions
Gavin Newsom talking about #GWRS and
the fact that we are recycling wastewater
and turning ii into drinking water. Check ii
outl
#waterreuse #gwrs #fridayfunny
#tollettotap @OCWOWaterNews
twitter com/OCWDWaterNewsr ..
l View Tweet activity View al Tweet activity
Top Follower 1otiowe<1 by ss1 people
Scott
~ ~o FaJ.OWS 1IOU
Pubic Relabons • NPO Board Member• @ChapmanU
Flm & Me<ia Ms • @CamegoeMeJlon Orama ·Views
are mlne Folows, likes & RTs t necessanly
endo<sements
Viewprolle View fotloweis dashboard
Top mention earned 2s engagements • n Orange County Water District '\.:..J @OCWDWalerN<"
@ilyamerica @GavinNewsom Hey
@ilyamerica & @SarahKSilverman,
yeahhhhh, not sure about 'diarrhea water,'
but we're open to new suggestions so
people stop calling it "toilet to lap." How
about certified preowned water with a
lifetime warranty?
#certifiedpreownedwater #waterreuse
#gwrs #ilyamerica @OCSewers
.... , t."l2 9 12
View Tweet
Top media Tweet earned 1,000 impressions
Attention @City_of_Anaheim, we'll be
working over the weekend at the State
College & Katella intersection_ We
encourage you to use alternate routes to
avoid traffic delays_ Check out
ocsd.com/stalecollege for details &
schedule_
#OCSOStateCollege #OCSOConstruction
pic.twitter.com/fn 7 db9akkC
.... , t."l3 •1
[ View Tweet activity View all Tweet activity
NOV 2018 SUM.'-'ARY
T-TweetSTipr1!s~
28 27.8K -....... 281 29
Now...._.
1
18
Nov 2018 • 19 days so far ...
TWEET HIGHL GHTS
Top T\Neet earned 6,762 impressions
Gavin Newsom talking about #GWRS and
the fact that we are recycling wastewater
and turning it into drinki ng water. Check it
out!
#waterreuse #gwrs #fridayfunny
#toilettotap @OCWDWaterNews
twitter.com/OCWDWaterNews/ ...
•3
[ View Tweet activity J View all Tweet activity
Top Follower followed by 246 people
Anne-Ii Steutel
@steutel1)e FOLLOWS YOU
A Dutchy in LA, focused on Water & Cleantech I Big fan
of digitizing lhe wastewater network I Tweets in English
and Dutch I @Kandosmartwater
View profile View followers dashboard
Top mention earned 28 engagements
ft' •1 Orange County Water District
~ @OCWDWaterNews Nov2
@ilyamerica @GavinNewsom Hey
@ilyamerica & @SarahKSilverman,
yeahhhhh, not sure about "diarrhea water,"
but we're open to new suggestions so
people stop calling it "toilet to tap " How
about certified preowned water with a
lifetime warranty?
#certifiedpreownedwater #waterreuse
#gwrs #ilyamerica @OCSewers
.. , t."l2 •10
View Tweet
Top media T\Neet earned 1,600 impressions
Attention @City_of_Anaheim, we'll be
working over the weekend at the State
College & Katella intersection. We
encourage you to use alternate routes to
avoid traffic delays. Check out
ocsd.com/statecollege for details &
schedule.
#OCSDStateCollege #OCSDConstruction
pie.twitter com/fn 7 db9akkC
r ViPW TWPPt artivitv ViP.W All TWP.P.I Rr:livrtv
Get your Tweets in front of
more people
Promoted Tweets and content open up your
reach on Twitter to m01e people.
1§§§§1
NOV 2018 SUMMARY
Twe1t1 Twfft impr•.nion1
19 19.3K
Profie visits Menbons
179 22
N.wfollowers
-3
19
Facebook Analytics
November – December 2018, January 2019
Facebook Posts
December 2018 / January 2019
20
All Posts Published
Reach: Organic I Paid • Post Clicks • Reactions, Comments & Shares 1
Published Post Type Targeting Reach Engagement
01/21/2019 II The Orange County Sanitation District honors the life !El ~ 34 7:04AM and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On this special
01/20/2019 2417 Construction in City of Anaheim-Municipal !El "' 252 I 5
8:54AM Government at State College & Gateway this week. Stay 5
01/18/2019 -We want to play the #1 OY earChallange game too so !El "' 233 I 28 • 708AM here we go. This is our Westside Pump Station in the 16 I
01/17/2019 " The rain is here, in honor of #Throwback Thursday let's $ "' 466 • 27 • 8:27 AM remember the rain event from 2 years ago when we 33 •
01/16/2019 Special Meeting of the OCSD Operations Committee !El ~ 150 I 7
4:30PM -tonight at 5 p.m. in #FountainValley. Take a look at the 4
01/16/2019 II Heavy rains = higher levels of water at the treatment !El "' 651 -60 -704AM pla~ts. Help us keep the flow down by waiting until after 36 •
01/15/2019 It's often said, seeing is believing. Well take a look at !El "' 759 -127 -729AM these before and after pictures of non-treated v. treated 89 -
01/14/2019 fl "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the • "' 159 I 0
7:30AM life you have imagined-" -Henry David Thoreau 4
01/11/2019 Actions not just words, that is what it takes to be an !El "' 239 I 41 • 9:04AM indJstry leader. The Long Beach Water stopped by 22 I
01/08/2019 ,, Meet April Frost, OCSD's Lead Plant Operator. One of $ "' 262 I 46 • 718AM I many here at OCSD that are always "Working With a 18 I
01/07/2019 e "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet Only • "' 132 I 0
900AM through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be 2
01/06/2019 Reminder, nighttime work starts tomorrow at State !El "' 163 I 11 I
6:09PM College and Orangewood in City of Anaheim-Municipal 6 I
01/04/2019 Nighttime construction starts next week at State College !El "' 264 I 22 I
4:30PM & Orangewood in the City of Anaheim-Municipal 16 I
01/04/2019 Please join us as we welcome our new Chair and Vice-Chair. $ "' 199 I 14 I
1:46PM https://www.ocsd.com/Home/Components/News/News/2108/52? 4 I
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12/05/2018 OCSD's 011erations Committee meeting will be taking IEI 139 I 7
3:19 PM 11lace tonight at 5 11.m. in Fountain Valley. To view the 1
1210412018 ml~ Did you know that you can be the environment's super IEI 195 I 2
12:00PM hero? Just remember that the toilet is not a trashcan! 6
12/0312018 ~ "Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of 144 I 3
9:00AM fear." -George Addair #Motivation Monday 5
11130/2018 II At our November Board meeting, we thanked our IEI _... 402 • 38 • 12:15 PM ou1going Board members for their time and dedication to 18 I
11128/2018 ~ Last night, OCSD and City of Irvine's Mayor, Donald P. IEI 173 I 17 I
438 PM Wagner recognized outgoing Board Alternate member 9 I
11/28/2018 OCSD's Board Meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. in IEI 108 I 2
4:00PM • #FountainValley. If you'd like to see what will be 1
11/2812018 Starting at 5 p.m. tonight, OCSD's Steering Committee IEI 112 I 2
2:00PM will be meeting in #FountainValley. To view the agenda, 1
11/2712018 Wondering how to dispose of unused or expired $ _... 349 • 2 I
2:00PM medication? Check out our PSA! #What2Flush 12 I
11/27/2018 re!!~ Today is #Giving Tuesday! What are you doing today to IEI ~ 70 0
9:00AM help those around you? 1
11/26/2018 Ci) "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising Ill 168 I 4
9:00AM every time we fall." -Confucius #MotivationMonday 9
11/24/2018 ~ If IT is your thing, then head on over to ocsd.com/jobs to l'EI ~ 465 • 13 I
12:00 PM .. check out our Senior Information Technology Analyst 11 I
11/22/2018 • ·~n., Happy Thanksgiving from the Orange County Sanitation IEI 104 I 3
9:00AM ... ,,,.. District. Hope you have a wonderful day with your family 9
11120/2018 II This is just a reminder that OCSD Administrative Offices IEI 144 I 2
2:53 PM will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of 4
Iii 11/19/2018 Today is #WorldToiletDay, and was created by the •• 1.1K 127 -12:00 PM United Nations to make sanrtation for all a global 63 -
11/19/2018 8 "Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and Ill 125 I 4
9:00AM don't get so worked up about things-" -Kenneth Branagh 7
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1110612018 ~ Today is Election Day! Don't ro ~ 218 I 5
Q:OOAM ""-forget to get out there and vote. 12 Boost Post
1110512018 Today, OCSD's LAPA Committee ro ~ 131 4
10:00AM will be meeting in 2 Boost Post
1110512018 e "Infuse your life with action. • ~ 135 0
8'.00AM Don't watt for it to happen. Make 2 Boost Post
1110312018 ~ Don't forget to "fall bacK' lllis ro ~ 138 12:20 PM weekend! Daylight savings time Boost Post
1110212018 • Gavin Newsom talking about ~ 97 52 • •• 17 I 12:57 PM #GWRS and the fact that we are Boost Post
1110212018 Don't put grease down your ro ~ 2.5K 304
12.00 PM kitchen sink because your pipes 111 -Boost Post
1110112018 Potholing is laking place at the ro ~ 324 I 17
2:10PM intersection of State College & 10 Boost Post
1110112018 II Happy November'!! 'Tis the ro ~ 145 1
Q:OOAM season for peppermint mochas, 3 Boost Post
10131/2018 II Congratulations and thank you ro ~ 236 I 15
12:00 PM to our 2019 Safety Contest 22 Boost Post
10131/2018 Happy Halloween from the ro ~ 163 3
Q:OOAM Orange County Sanitation 17 Boost Post
1012912018 • OCSD was presented the ro ~ 182 I 11
12:00 PM Excellence Award from the 12 Boost Post
1012912018 e "Don't just aspire to make a • ~ 294 23 I
Q:OOAM living. Aspire to make a 15 I Boost Post
1012712018 ... Today is National Take Back $ ~ 604 I 8 I
Q:OOAM • Day! OCSD encourages 19 I Boost Post
1012512018 ' :;; Attention City of Seal Beach, we ro ~ 396 I 15
12:30 PM will be working tonight on Seal 13 Boost Post
1012512018 .. Here at OCSD we're fond of the ro ~ 256 I 14
Q:OOAM good ol' days. Meet the Buffalo 15 Boost Post
1012412018 Tonight, OCSO's Board of ro ~ 125 2
3:-00PM Directors meeting is scheduled 1 Boost Post
1012412018 starting al 5 p.m. tomgh~ ro 127 1
12.v PM OCSO·s Steering Commrttee will 0 Boost Post
1012212018 -;.:I Thank you City of Seal Beach 9 173 I 4
~.l,..t->M Crty Councd and Stall for ham g 3 Boost Post
1012212018 Hey College Students• If you're ro 1K • 169 -3~"M ready to take your education to 84 • Boost Post
1012212018 "tn the truest sense. freedom • ~ 156 1
g 00 ., cannot be bestowed. It must be 4 Boost Post
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10/06/2018 rll Perfect day for a tour of Plant No. 2. IEJ ~ 210 I 24 I 1:§1§1 7:24 PM Thanks to our neighbors who joined 20 I
10/06/2018 ~~ October ~14 is Water Professionals I 13 I 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 161 12:00PM ~· Appreciation Week! This week 1s 11 I
10/05/2018 II OCSD and the Orange County Water • 17 I 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 464 '2:11 PM District received the OC PRSA Award 23 I
10/05/2018 Happy Friday! Todays picture is of an • 30 • 1:§1§1 ' IEJ ~ 301 QcOOAM -~ OCS[) employee collecting samples 23 I
10/0412018 Lights, camera, action! Public Cable • 33 • 1:§1§1 $ ~ 312 '2:00PM Television Authority joined our Plant 16 I
10/0412018 II October is National Cyber Security I 4 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 171 QcOOAM Awareness Month and we will share 4
10/0312018 Meet Thys Devries, OCSD's Sr. I 35 • 1:§1§1 $ ~ 295 2:12PM Human Resources Analyst. One of 16 I
10/03/2018 11 1rs Wednesday, which means H's • 66 -1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 383 QcOOAM time for OCSO-s Wastewater Word of 27 •
10/02/2018 II Our agency posted an RFP • 10 1:§1§1 $ ~ 342 9:00AM opportunity to audit our biosolids 4
10/01/2018 Wonder What our Capital I 7 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 131 12:00PM Improvement Program is all about? 3
10/01/2018 e "A g0<od deed is never lost; he who I 2 1:§1§1 " ~ 129 9:00AM sows courtesy reaps friendship, and 3
09/29/2018
.,, Happy #NationalCoffeeDay! And 8 I 1:§1§1 ,,,,,
IEJ ~ 166 QcOOAM ~.~ remember used coffee grounds 16 I
09/27/2018 I love photos that tell an interesting I 9 I 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 218 '2:00PM story. Today we have a picture 18 I
09/27/2018 t Ii Calling an college students!! Are you I 4 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 201 QcOOAM ~ interested in developing skills in 3
09/26/2018 Tonight, OCSD's Board of Directors I 5 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 140 4:00PM """ meeting is scheduled @ 6 p.m., in 1
09/26/2018 Starting at 5 p.m. tonight, OCSD's 0 1:§1§1 IEJ ~ 120 3:-06 PM Steering Committee will be meeting 1
09/26/2018 IEJ ~ 132 2
9:00AM 1
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0912S/2018 Iii CONSTRUCTION ALERT for City of IC ~ 205 I 7 1:§1§1 Newport Bead! -City Hall -Slarbng 2
09124.12018 ·1 believe that tile greatest kindness • 133 I 1 1:§1§1 I> AM is acceptance." -Christina Baker 2
0912312018 Did you know lhat OCSO has been $ 306 12 I 1:§1§1 14: 00 ,,_,, around for 60 plus years? Check out 16 I
0912212018 Happy Fall Ya'll. Today marks !he first I 8 I 1:§1§1 IC 188 ,, "".'\ AJ.i day of Autumn. but 1rs hOt• So here·s 21 I
0912212018 • Today marks the 25111 anniversary Gf I 0 1:§1§1 IC 123 National Public LandS Day Visit any 1
09121/2018 ml . OKI yoo know that yoo can be !he 1 1:§1§1 or • environmenfs super herG? Just IC 146 6
0912112018 ~ ocso is looking for a Prlnc1pal Staff 46 • 1:§1§1 IC ~ 363 1C 47 AM Analyst in our Risk Management 11 I
0912012018 Today tt's California Surfing Day ·an 6 1·¥111 114PM official day tG stop, drop and surf IEJ 136 7
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
COMMON ACRONYMS
ACWA Association of California
Water Agencies LAFCO Local Agency Formation
Commission RWQCB Regional Water Quality
Control Board
APWA American Public Works
Association LOS Level Of Service SARFPA Santa Ana River Flood
Protection Agency
AQMD Air Quality Management
District MGD Million Gallons Per Day SARI Santa Ana River
Interceptor
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers MOU Memorandum of Understanding SARWQCB Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board
BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand NACWA National Association of Clean Water Agencies SAWPA Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
CARB California Air Resources
Board NEPA National Environmental
Policy Act SCADA Supervisory Control And
Data Acquisition
CASA California Association of Sanitation Agencies NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations SCAP
Southern California
Alliance of Publicly Owned
Treatment Works
CCTV Closed Circuit Television NPDES National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality
Management District
CEQA California Environmental
Quality Act NWRI National Water Research
Institute SOCWA South Orange County
Wastewater Authority
CIP Capital Improvement
Program O & M Operations & Maintenance SRF Clean Water State
Revolving Fund
CRWQCB California Regional Water
Quality Control Board OCCOG Orange County Council of
Governments SSMP Sewer System
Management Plan
CWA Clean Water Act OCHCA Orange County Health Care Agency SSO Sanitary Sewer Overflow
CWEA California Water Environment
Association OCSD Orange County Sanitation
District SWRCB State Water Resources
Control Board
EIR Environmental Impact Report OCWD Orange County Water District TDS Total Dissolved Solids
EMT Executive Management Team OOBS Ocean Outfall Booster Station TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
EPA US Environmental Protection
Agency OSHA Occupational Safety and
Health Administration TSS Total Suspended Solids
FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease PCSA
Professional
Consultant/Construction Services Agreement WDR Waste Discharge
Requirements
gpd gallons per day PDSA Professional Design Services
Agreement WEF Water Environment
Federation
GWRS Groundwater Replenishment
System POTW Publicly Owned Treatment
Works WERF Water Environment &
Reuse Foundation
ICS Incident Command System ppm parts per million WIFIA Water Infrastructure
Finance and Innovation Act
IERP Integrated Emergency
Response Plan PSA Professional Services
Agreement WIIN
Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the
Nation Act
JPA Joint Powers Authority RFP Request For Proposal WRDA Water Resources
Development Act
ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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.
BIOGAS – 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 farmland or further processed as an earth-like product for
commercial and home gardens to improve and maintain fertile soil and stimulate plant growth.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) – Projects for repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of assets. Also includes treatment improvements, additional capacity, and projects for the support facilities.
COLIFORM BACTERIA – A group of bacteria found in the intestines of humans and other animals, but also occasionally found elsewhere, used as indicators of sewage pollution. E. coli are the most common bacteria in wastewater.
COLLECTIONS SYSTEM – In wastewater, it is the system of typically underground pipes that receive and convey sanitary wastewater or storm water.
CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION (COP) – A type of financing where an investor purchases a share of the lease revenues of a program rather than the bond being secured by those revenues.
CONTAMINANTS OF POTENTIAL CONCERN (CPC) – Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants.
DILUTION TO THRESHOLD (D/T) – The dilution at which the majority of people detect the odor becomes the D/T for that air sample.
GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG) – 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 SYSTEM (GWRS) – 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 per day of drinking quality water to replenish the local groundwater supply.
LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) – Goals to support environmental and public expectations for performance.
N-NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE (NDMA) – A N-nitrosamine 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 and Water Environment Federation, with advisory support from the US Environmental Protection Agency. NBP is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and promote public participation 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) – A 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 runoff.
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SCAQMD) – Regional regulatory agency that develops plans and regulations designed to achieve public health standards by reducing emissions from business and industry.
SECONDARY TREATMENT – Biological wastewater treatment, particularly the activated sludge process, where bacteria and other microorganisms consume dissolved nutrients in wastewater.
SLUDGE – Untreated solid material created by the treatment of wastewater.
TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS (TSS) – The amount of solids floating and in suspension in wastewater.
TRICKLING FILTER – A biological secondary treatment process in which bacteria and other microorganisms, growing as slime on the surface of rocks or plastic media, consume nutrients in wastewater as it trickles over them.
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. The Orange County Sanitation District’s service area is in the Santa Ana River Watershed.