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Background
How is SRCSD Regulated?
SRCSD - along with all wastewater treatment agencies - is regulated by the state and federal government under a strict set of laws generally established under the Federal Clean Water Act. SRCSD must comply with a very detailed and complex set of operating conditions - known as a "Discharge Permit."
In our region, this "Discharge Permit" is issued by a state agency known as the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. This agency reviews Discharge Permits every five years, and, based on environmental changes or new standards, may change the operating conditions contained in the Discharge Permit. The Board's members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
In December 2010, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Central Valley Water Board) adopted a new wastewater Discharge Permit for SRCSD. The Discharge Permit contains very strict requirements resulting in the need for new treatment processes at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. In adopting the Discharge Permit, the Central Valley Water Board has required the region to move to a highly advanced - or "tertiary" - treatment process. Citing possible effects on the Delta ecosystem from ammonia contained in the discharge and concerns over public health regarding pathogens, the new Discharge Permit is one of the most restrictive wastewater treatment permits ever issued in the State of California.
View a copy of SRCSD's new Discharge Permit on the Central Valley Water Board's website*.
During the Central Valley Water Board's public hearing, SRCSD staff, elected officials, stakeholders and community members testified that the new conditions went beyond what was reasonable and necessary to protect the environment; however, the Central Valley Water Board disagreed and the Discharge Permit was ultimately adopted. SRCSD is now required to comply with the new conditions, and all treatment facilities must be completed by year 2020.
Appealing the Decision
In January 2011, SRCSD filed a petition to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) requesting that they review the Central Valley Water Board's decision on the Discharge Permit, and in March, the SWRCB agreed to a review of the Discharge Permit. The SWRCB has about nine months - or until about the end of 2011 - to conduct their review.
Regardless of the SWRCB's ruling, today SRCSD is held to all conditions contained in the Discharge Permit as adopted by the Central Valley Water Board and has already begun the activities required to implement the Discharge Permit.
Legislative Efforts
SRCSD and Sacramento's regional leaders are currently working to help offset future costs associated with the required upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Assembly Bill (AB) 134 - authored by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) and coauthored by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Assemblymember Alyson Huber (D-Sacramento) - seeks to do just that.
AB 134 could allow SRCSD to apply for a water permit, meaning SRCSD could market its treated wastewater to a willing buyer or recycle it for projects in the Sacramento region. This could provide a revenue stream to help offset the significant costs of required treatment upgrades.
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