11

Staff Public WorkshopsFall 2011

Policy for Siting, Design, Operationand Management of

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

San Luis Obispo: October 24Redding: October 28

Santa Rosa: November 2 Riverside: November 7

State Water Resources Control Board

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Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

1. Introductions & Purpose 5 Minutes2. Brief Film 5 Minutes3. Draft Policy Presentation 15 Minutes4. Web Map Presentation 10 Minutes5. Opportunity for Public Comment

Remainder

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Workshop Ground RulesWorkshop Ground Rules

Use common courtesy. Do not interrupt Use common courtesy. Do not interrupt another speaker. Listen to each other and another speaker. Listen to each other and respect all views.respect all views.

Turn cell phones off. If you must take a Turn cell phones off. If you must take a call, do so outside of the meeting room.call, do so outside of the meeting room.

Give everyone the opportunity to Give everyone the opportunity to participate. Time limits may be imposed participate. Time limits may be imposed where needed.where needed.

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Video

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Acronym Definitions OWTS

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. The most common type of OWTS is a septic system, consisting of a septic tank and leachfield.

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load is a plan adopted

by a Regional Water Board to limit pollutants reaching an impaired water body and return it to its full beneficial uses.

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OWTS Policy and the Water CodeOWTS Policy and the Water Code 13291. (a) On or before January 1, 2004, the state 13291. (a) On or before January 1, 2004, the state

board, (in consultation with…) shall adopt regulations or board, (in consultation with…) shall adopt regulations or standards for… : standards for… :

(1) Any system that is constructed or replaced. (1) Any system that is constructed or replaced. (2) Any system that is subject to a major repair. (2) Any system that is subject to a major repair. (3) Any system that pools or discharges to the surface. (3) Any system that pools or discharges to the surface.

(4) Any system that, in the judgment of a regional board (4) Any system that, in the judgment of a regional board or authorized local agency, discharges waste that has or authorized local agency, discharges waste that has the reasonable potential to cause a violation of water the reasonable potential to cause a violation of water quality objectives, or to impair present or future quality objectives, or to impair present or future beneficial uses of water, to cause pollution, nuisance, or beneficial uses of water, to cause pollution, nuisance, or contamination of the waters of the state. contamination of the waters of the state.

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Policy Organization Definitions Responsibilities and Duties

OWTS Owner Local Agency Regional Water Board State Water Board

Tiers 0 through 4 Conditional Waiver

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2008 Draft vs. 2011 Draft2008 Draft vs. 2011 Draft

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Tier Overview ChartTier Overview Chart

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Proposed Regulatory FrameworkProposed Regulatory Framework

Tier ZeroTier Zero: : ExistingExisting OWTS that are functioning OWTS that are functioningproperly and are not adjacent to septic pollutedproperly and are not adjacent to septic pollutedsurface waterssurface waters Tier OneTier One: : New or replacedNew or replaced OWTS that meet low-risk OWTS that meet low-risk

siting and design criteriasiting and design criteria Tier TwoTier Two: : New or replacedNew or replaced OWTS covered by a OWTS covered by a

Local Agency Management ProgramLocal Agency Management Program Tier ThreeTier Three: : New and existingNew and existing OWTS associated with OWTS associated with

impaired water bodies and septic polluted surface impaired water bodies and septic polluted surface waterswaters

Tier FourTier Four: : ExistingExisting OWTS requiring Corrective Action OWTS requiring Corrective Action

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Tier 0 – Existing OWTSTier 0 – Existing OWTS

Up to 10,000 gallons per dayUp to 10,000 gallons per day Domestic strength wastewater, or high Domestic strength wastewater, or high

strength allowance for food service strength allowance for food service buildings with a grease interceptorbuildings with a grease interceptor

Functioning as designed with no surfacing Functioning as designed with no surfacing effluenteffluent

Does not meet conditions set forth in Tier Does not meet conditions set forth in Tier 3 or Tier 43 or Tier 4

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Tier 1 – New OWTSTier 1 – New OWTS

For OWTS not covered by a Local Agency For OWTS not covered by a Local Agency Management ProgramManagement Program

Not included in Tier 2 or 3Not included in Tier 2 or 3 3,500 gallons per day max size3,500 gallons per day max size Can use percolation rate or soil type basis Can use percolation rate or soil type basis

for sizingfor sizing

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Tier 2 – New OWTSTier 2 – New OWTS Local Agency Management PlanLocal Agency Management Plan

Differing system design requirements; Differing system design requirements; Differing siting controls such as system density and setback Differing siting controls such as system density and setback

requirements; requirements; Requirements for owners to enter monitoring and maintenance Requirements for owners to enter monitoring and maintenance

agreements; and/oragreements; and/or Creation of an onsite management district.Creation of an onsite management district.

10,000 gallons per day max size10,000 gallons per day max size Watershed based monitoring of groundwater Watershed based monitoring of groundwater

and surface water quality for OWTS impacts and surface water quality for OWTS impacts done by local agencydone by local agency

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Listing Impaired Water Bodies

On going monitoring performed on surface water bodies

Data solicitation period for outside data Data analysis

May be for listing or removing from list Listing decision staff recommendation

based on data and Listing Policy

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Listing Impaired Water Bodies

Impaired water bodies list is then considered in a public process by: Regional Water Board and then State Water Board and then U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency who finally approves Listing cycle runs about every two to four

years

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Tier 3 – New and Existing OWTSTier 3 – New and Existing OWTS

TMDL is the key, its implementation program TMDL is the key, its implementation program will:will: Establish what is required for existing and new OWTSEstablish what is required for existing and new OWTS Establish which locations are included, andEstablish which locations are included, and Establish the schedule for each required action.Establish the schedule for each required action.

Management is collaborative effort between Management is collaborative effort between local agency and Regional Water Boardlocal agency and Regional Water Board

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Tier 3 – New and Existing OWTSTier 3 – New and Existing OWTS OWTS by OWTS by specifically identifiedspecifically identified pathogen and pathogen and

nutrient impaired water bodies:nutrient impaired water bodies: Wait 5 years for TMDL or assessmentWait 5 years for TMDL or assessment Or if no TMDL, upgrade to advanced treatment if in Or if no TMDL, upgrade to advanced treatment if in

100/600 foot rule100/600 foot rule Extra time allowed if agreement to hook up to sewer Extra time allowed if agreement to hook up to sewer

systemsystem For new systems near For new systems near allall pathogen and nutrient pathogen and nutrient

impaired water bodies:impaired water bodies: Setbacks in Tier 1 apply, andSetbacks in Tier 1 apply, and Within 600 feet needs advanced treatment until a TMDL Within 600 feet needs advanced treatment until a TMDL

is completed.is completed.

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TMDL Example

San Lorenzo River Watershed Nitrate and Pathogen TMDL Identifies OWTS as source Allocates a loading Has implementation program and schedule

Klamath and Lost River TMDLs OWTS not identified as a significant source,

so no TMDL OR Tier 3 requirements apply.

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Russian River Portions of Russian River and tributaries

are listed for pathogen and nutrients TMDL for addressing these impairments is

under development North Coast Water Board

TMDL – not the OWTS Policy – will determine which systems are subject to any new requirements, and deadlines for compliance

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Tier 4 – Existing OWTSTier 4 – Existing OWTS Corrective Action – fix what is brokenCorrective Action – fix what is broken Meet Tier 1, 2, or 3 requirements as Meet Tier 1, 2, or 3 requirements as

appropriate for components being repairedappropriate for components being repaired Local agencies have discretion within their Tier Local agencies have discretion within their Tier

2 programs to have repairs be in substantial 2 programs to have repairs be in substantial conformance, to the greatest extent practicableconformance, to the greatest extent practicable

OWTS found to be impacting drinking water or OWTS found to be impacting drinking water or other uses must be modified or upgraded per other uses must be modified or upgraded per requirementsrequirements

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Financial Aid

Is available from State Water Board for local agencies to have an assistance program within their jurisdiction, but is at their option

Provides low interest loans See “Resources for Local Agencies” on

website for more details

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Web Map ToolWeb Map Tool

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Next StepsNext Steps Public Staff WorkshopsPublic Staff Workshops

October 24 – San Luis ObispoOctober 24 – San Luis Obispo October 28 – ReddingOctober 28 – Redding November 2 – Santa RosaNovember 2 – Santa Rosa November 7 – RiversideNovember 7 – Riverside

Public Comment Period Closes – November Public Comment Period Closes – November 14 14

Adoption Hearing in Sacramento Spring 2012Adoption Hearing in Sacramento Spring 2012

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Important Information

Instructions for signingup for the OWTS – Septicselectronic mail list

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Important Information

Website Phone Number