Staff Public Workshops Fall 2011

1. Policy for Siting, Design, Operation and Management of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Staff Public WorkshopsFall 2011 San Luis Obispo: October 24 Redding: October 28 Santa Rosa: November 2 Riverside: November 7 State Water Resources Control Board

2. Today’s Agenda • Introductions & Purpose 5 Minutes • Brief Film 5 Minutes • Draft Policy Presentation 15 Minutes • Web Map Presentation 10 Minutes • Opportunity for Public Comment Remainder

3. Workshop Ground Rules • Use common courtesy. Do not interrupt another speaker. Listen to each other and respect all views. • Turn cell phones off. If you must take a call, do so outside of the meeting room. • Give everyone the opportunity to participate. Time limits may be imposed where needed.

4. Local Issues • Central Coast Regional Water Board Basin Plan Septic Tank Amendment • Must be approved by State Water Board before it takes effect • On Hold until after OWTS Policy considered • Los Osos Discharge Prohibition • OWTS Policy does not change or modify any conditions of any existing or future prohibitions against discharges from onsite systems

5. 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.

6. OWTS Policy and the Water Code 13291. (a) On or before January 1, 2004, the state board, (in consultation with…) shall adopt regulations or standards for… : (1) Any system that is constructed or replaced. (2) Any system that is subject to a major repair. (3) Any system that pools or discharges to the surface. (4) Any system that, in the judgment of a regional board or authorized local agency, discharges waste that has the reasonable potential to cause a violation of water quality objectives, or to impair present or future beneficial uses of water, to cause pollution, nuisance, or contamination of the waters of the state.

7. Policy Organization Definitions Responsibilities and Duties OWTS Owner Local Agency Regional Water Board State Water Board Tiers 0 through 4 Conditional Waiver

8. 2008 Draft vs. 2011 Draft

9. Tier Overview Chart

10. Proposed Regulatory Framework Tier Zero: Existing OWTS that are functioning properly and are not adjacent to septic polluted surface waters Tier One: New or replaced OWTS that meet low-risk siting and design criteria Tier Two: New or replaced OWTS covered by a Local Agency Management Program Tier Three: New and existing OWTS associated with impaired water bodies and septic polluted surface waters Tier Four: Existing OWTS requiring Corrective Action

11. Tier 0 – Existing OWTS Up to 10,000 gallons per day Domestic strength wastewater, or high strength allowance for food service buildings with a grease interceptor Functioning as designed with no surfacing effluent Does not meet conditions set forth in Tier 3 or Tier 4

12. Tier 1 – New OWTS For OWTS not covered by a Local Agency Management Program Not included in Tier 2 or 3 3,500 gallons per day max size Can use percolation rate or soil type basis for sizing

13. Tier 2 – New OWTS • Local Agency Management Plan • Differing system design requirements; • Differing siting controls such as system density and setback requirements; • Requirements for owners to enter monitoring and maintenance agreements; and/or • Creation of an onsite management district. • 10,000 gallons per day max size • Watershed based monitoring of groundwater and surface water quality for OWTS impacts done by local agency

14. Tier 3 – New and Existing OWTS • TMDL is the key, its implementation program will establish what is required for existing and new OWTS • Management is collaborative effort between local agency and Regional Water Board • OWTS by specifically identified impaired water bodies: • Wait 5 years for TMDL or assessment • Or if no TMDL, upgrade to advanced treatment if in 100/600 foot rule • Extra time allowed if agreement to hook up to sewer system • For new systems near all impairments: • Setbacks in Tier 1 apply, and • Within 600 feet needs advanced treatment until a TMDL is completed.

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

16. Tier 4 – Existing OWTS Corrective Action – fix what is broken Meet Tier 1, 2, or 3 requirements as appropriate for components being repaired Local agencies have discretion within their Tier 2 programs to have repairs be in substantial conformance, to the greatest extent practicable OWTS found to be impacting drinking water or other uses must be modified or upgraded per requirements

17. Web Map Tool

18. Next Steps • Public Staff Workshops • October 24 – San Luis Obispo • October 28 – Redding • November 2 – Santa Rosa • November 7 – Riverside • Public Comment Period Closes – November 14 • Adoption Hearing in Sacramento Spring 2012

19. Important Information • Instructions for signing up for the OWTS – Septics electronic mail list

20. Important Information • Website • Phone Number