Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-JUNE 2024
Welcome to the June 2024 water supply and water quality issue update from the Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality. Summer is here and that means work, work, and more work for the construction industry! As anyone can see, our industry is working tirelessly throughout California to meet the state’s infrastructure and housing demands.
Speaking of construction projects, this month we point out a few areas of the newly revised Construction General Permit for stormwater (also known as the CGP) which are drawing the attention of our membership as permits are in full effect on job sites. Several CGP administrative processes were significantly modified, and ramped-up site inspection and monitoring procedures changed from past practice, so we want to make sure the industry is aware and on the look-out for issues of concern.
Next up, we highlight the recent publication of a benefit cost analysis for the Delta Conveyance Project by the California Department of Water Resources. The comprehensive analysis found that infrastructure modernization of the water conveyance system would result in billions of dollars of benefits for all Californians, including better safeguarding our water system during times of drought and major emergencies like earthquakes.
Finally, we want to continue to keep you up to date on a new regional storm water runoff collection permit proposed for the Santa Ana region, in southern California. The Santa Ana regional board has released a Draft of a regional municipal permit for stormwater runoff within the Santa Ana River watershed, located in the Inland Empire of southern California. The watershed is home to one of California’s largest urban groundwater storage basins used for drinking water supply and a world-renown, multi-agency supported, recycled water treatment and aquifer storage and recovery system. The proposed permit is an integral part of ensuring the quality and sustainability of the region’s water supply.
JUNE NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
Revised California Construction General Permit for Stormwater – First Year Implementation Issues
The revised (September 2022) California stormwater Construction General Permit (CGP) went into full effect back on September 1, 2023. Applicable to almost all construction projects greater than one acre is size, the revised permit contains several new and different or modified requirements which construction sites must comply with, or face violations and penalties.
Over the past ten months and especially after fall and winter 2023-24, we are hearing of reports of confusion about new reporting procedures and deadlines, and significant delays in the processing of key paperwork which must be completed to demonstrate compliance. This includes delays in processing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Change of Information requests and approvals of Notice of Termination filings made by individual permit holders. CICWQ is giving a presentation on how the construction industry met the challenges of complying with the first year newly revised permit in August of 2024 at the Tri-State Seminar in Nevada.
California Department of Water Resources – Benefit Cost Analysis for the Delta Conveyance Project Published
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) just released a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis and report for the Delta Conveyance Project. The report found the infrastructure modernization project would create billions of dollars in benefits for California communities, including reliable water supplies, climate change adaptation, earthquake preparedness and improved water quality.
According to the report, for every $1 spent, $2.20 in benefits would be generated. The report also shows the cost of doing nothing, posing significant future challenges to supplying water to California communities.
Proposed Santa Ana River Watershed Regional MS4 Permit - Released for Public Review and Comment and Additional Workshop Scheduled
The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board released a draft tentative permit for regulating discharges of pollutants in stormwater and urban runoff from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties on a regionwide basis. The permit is the first of its kind in the Santa Ana region, where previously each county maintained individual, county-wide permits.
The new regional permit structure proposes mandatory preparation of watershed management plans by each of the three-county permittee groups, with specific requirements common to all counties. Several new changes are also proposed for the Planning and Land Development section of the permit, which impacts the building and construction industry tasked with design and installation of post-construction stormwater runoff controls.
A Board workshop was held on Thursday June 6, 2024, where the Board members received an updated presentation from the Board staff and received additional input from interested stakeholders. The public comment period deadline for the draft regional MS4 permit is July 3, 2024.
39th Annual Tri-State Seminar – August 5-8, 2024 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Hosted by AZ Water Association, California Water Environment Association, and Nevada Water Environment Association, the 2024 Tri-State Seminar brings together the best in people and products for the water, wastewater, and storm water management professions.
This year CICWQ--represented by Mark Grey, Robert Patterson and Russ Foster—will be presenting an hour-long review of the new California Construction General permit (CGP) for stormwater and its first year of full implementation. The presentation includes updates on important new compliance requirements and a review of state enforcement actions.
And, there is so much more at the four days of Tri-State Seminar activities, including comprehensive ½-day workshops on an array of public works topics and availability each day for accumulating Continuing Education Units (CEU) by attending classes and presentations. Many of our readers must keep up with CEUs for professional certifications, including construction stormwater professionals working under the CGP.
