Stay Informed on Construction Industry Water Quality News
News on recent important developments in water quality regulatory and policy-making activities in California and Washington D.C.
Construction & Building Industry News
Each month, CICWQ collects news and information on water quality and water supply reliability topics. Articles cover a wide range of issues affecting the construction industry: water quality and wetlands regulations and policies, water supply, sewer system, and stormwater drainage improvement efforts, and multi-benefit, regional water supply reliability project development.
CICWQ also publishes technical articles and reports periodically and prepares presentations that emphasize water quality research and findings specific to the construction industry.
LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS
CICWQ on the Construction General Permit Training Team – TMDL Compliance Training and QSP Designee Training Module Development
One of the primary functions of CICWQ is to provide water quality compliance training and education to the construction industry and related stakeholders working in the private and public sectors.
Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-OCT 2022
CICWQ’s emphasis on California water quality issues remains squarely on the recent renewal of the construction general permit for stormwater. Adopted on September 8, the revised permit will go into effect in one year.
California Construction General Permit
The California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) is renewing the Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater. The Water Board released a Draft CGP at the end of May 2021 for stakeholder…
Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-August 2022
It’s been a hot summer in California with all eyes focused on conserving water and finding new ways to improve our supply portfolio. And regulators in Sacramento keep plugging away, moving forward on renewing key regulatory programs impacting the construction industry.
Riverside County Santa Ana River Watershed Stormwater Resource Plan Development
The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District prepared a Stormwater Resource Plan for Riverside County and held its first stakeholder meeting in January 2021. During the meeting, the District discussed the need for the plan and how plan development…
Construction General Permit for Stormwater: 6-Year Review of Enforcement Statistics
CICWQ uses State of California Water Resources Control Board data collected on water quality permit enforcement to examine the types of compliance issues that arise, document the frequency of occurrence, and identify trends. We do this to help educate…
Orange County, California Model Water Quality Credit Trading Program Development
CICWQ and Orange County Public Works are collaborating on a watershed-scale demonstration and research project to develop a water quality credit trading program for north Orange County, within the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Building Industry Association of Southern California — Housing and Water Panel Presentation August 10, 2021 — Developing Housing in Water Scarce Times
This series of four presentations covers key aspects of securing adequate water supplies for housing and property development in southern California.
One Water, Many Ways to Save: A presentation by Metropolitan Water District — August 2021
This presentation provides information on current drought conditions and shares ways MWD and local water agencies are supporting our communities to help them save water and money.
CICWQ Presentation on TMDL Compliance in the DRAFT California Construction General Permit
This presentation focuses on how the construction industry in California is approaching potential compliance with Numeric Effluent Limits (NELs) and Numeric Action Levels (NALs) as proposed in the renewal of the California Construction General Permit for Stormwater.
Developing in the Dry Times
Dr. Mark Grey recently gave an update on the housing industry’s efforts to continue to build new housing under the current drought conditions in California.
The presentation covers key issues facing housing development, and shows empirical data from past and recent research studies on the efficiency and conservation measures the home building industry has been using to build new housing stock, while reducing overall water use.
Cost of Low Impact Development Stormwater Retention Best Management Practices in Orange County, California
CICWQ prepared an extensive analysis of the cost of implementation of low impact development (LID) stormwater best management practices which are required for installation at most private land development projects in Orange County, California greater than 5,000 square feet.
Benefit Cost Analysis of Regional Urban Stormwater Retention in Orange County, California
As part of proof of concept work done to analyze the feasibility of implementing a Water Quality Credit Trading Program in Orange County, California, CICWQ led an engineering and scientific team to prepare a benefit cost analysis comparing use of a regional water quality credit generating facility versus use of distributed, decentralized surface retention best practices for urban runoff from land development projects. The case studies illustrate how different approaches in managing urban runoff result in benefits to the community and how fast or slow benefits are realized.
Evaluation of Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Products for Release of Heavy Metals
CICWQ worked with researchers at San Diego State University Soil Erosion Research Laboratory to examine 19 different construction site erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) for their ability to control sediment and metals in stormwater runoff. The study was done to assist in the selection of BMPs for construction sites that are required to meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations in the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River watersheds in southern California.
Regional Solutions for Treating Stormwater in Los Angeles County: A Macrofeasibility Study.
CICWQ retained Brown and Caldwell to evaluate the potential for achieving stormwater quality improvements through effective regional approaches. Regional approaches would employ comprehensive best management practices to treat urban runoff from new development sites, and surrounding sites that have already been developed. Many groups in the Los Angeles area are interested in applying regional, watershed scale approaches to achieve long-term water quality improvements.
A Review of the Los Angeles Basin Plan Administrative Record
In 2003 CIWQ funded a detailed analysis and study of the administrative record of the Los Angeles Region Water Quality Control Basin Plan. The study was done to review national and state water quality regulations and policy documents and to assess regulatory compliance actions within the Los Angeles Region for conformity with these policies and regulations. In particular, the study evaluated the designation of beneficial uses, the establishment of water quality objectives, and the implementation of the Basin Plan in the NPDES permitting process, the TMDL process, and other regulatory actions.
Stormwater Funding Options Report
CICWQ provided input, information, and peer review for the preparation of the foundational Stormwater Funding Report, prepared by Ken Farfsing from the City of Signal Hill and Richard Watson from Richard Watson Associates. The Stormwater Funding Report was a major step forward in developing the funding strategy and goals for Los Angeles County, eventually realized in 2018 with the passage of Measure W, Safe Clean Water Program.
Stormwater Runoff Following Wildfire in Southern California
CICWQ and the Construction Industry Advancement Fund, along with other collaborators, provided funding to SCCWRP to conduct a comprehensive analysis of loading of stormwater runoff following wildfire in Southern California. Work was done to research and build the scientific record concerning the natural loading of sediment and other constituents in stormwater runoff from areas following wildfire and areas unburned.
CICWQ FOUNDED IN 2001 BY OUR TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Major funding for CICWQ is provided by the Construction Industry Advancement Fund and the Fund for Construction Industry Advancement