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Document ID us-ca-wqcpucewppc-2023-08-15-2 Title WATER QUALITY CONTROL POLICY ON THE USE OF COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WATERS FOR POWER PLANT COOLING URL https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/cwa316/docs/otc-policy-2023/otc-policy-2023.pdf Jurisdiction /us/ca Subdomain(s) none Language Status completed Analyzed at 2026-05-12 05:45:41.406276+00:00 Relevance inventory_targeted_fetch

Q Qualitative Requirements (55)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001operationaloperationalrecommendedRecycled Water Encouragementaquatic lifeTo conserve the State's scarce water resources, the State Water Board encourages the use of recycled water for cooling water in lieu of marine, estuarine or fresh water.high
#Q002administrativeoperationalmandatoryCompliance Alternative Selectionaquatic lifeAn owner or operator of an existing power plant * must comply with either Track 1 or Track 2, below.high
#Q003treatmentoperationalmandatoryTrack 1 Flow Reductionaquatic lifeAn owner or operator of an existing power plant * must reduce intake flow rate* at each unit, at a minimum, to a level commensurate with that which can be attained by a closed-cycle wet cooling system *.Track 1 compliance alternative selectedhigh
#Q004treatmentoperationalmandatoryTrack 2 Mortality and Entrainment Reductionaquatic lifeIf an owner or operator of an existing power plant * demonstrates to the State Water Board's satisfaction that compliance with Track 1 is not feasible *, the owner or operator of an existing power plant * must reduce impingement mortality and entrainment of marine life for the facility, on a unit- by-unit basis, to a comparable level to that which would be achieved under Track 1, using operational or structural controls, or both.Compliance with Track 1 is demonstrated to be not feasiblehigh
#Q005administrativereportingguidancePrior Improvements Credit for Track 2aquatic lifeTechnology-based improvements that are specifically designed to reduce impingement mortality and/or entrainment and were implemented prior to October 1, 2010 may be counted towards meeting Track 2 requirements.Track 2 selectedhigh
#Q006administrativereportingguidanceCombined-Cycle Units Creditaquatic lifeThe owner or operator may count prior reductions in impingement mortality and entrainment resulting from the replacement of steam turbine power-generating units with combined-cycle powergenerating units*, towards meeting Track 2 requirements.Power plant with combined-cycle units installed prior to October 1, 2010high
#Q007designtreatmentmandatoryLarge Organism Exclusion Devicesaquatic lifeNo later than October 1, 2011, the owner or operator of an existing power plant* with an offshore intake * shall install large organism exclusion devices having a distance between exclusion bars of no greater than nine inches, or install other exclusion devices, deemed equivalent by the State Water Board.Plant possesses an offshore intakehigh
#Q008operationaloperationalmandatoryCease Intake Flows During Non-Generationaquatic lifeNo later than October 1, 2011, the owner or operator of an existing power plant* unit that is not directly engaging in power-generating activities *, or critical system maintenance* , shall cease intake flows, unless the owner or operator demonstrates to the State Water Board that a reduced minimum flow is necessary for operations.Unit is not directly engaging in power-generating activities or critical system maintenancehigh
#Q009corrective_actiontreatmentmandatoryInterim Mitigation Measuresaquatic lifeThe owner or operator of an existing power plant* must implement measures to mitigate the interim impingement and entrainment impacts resulting from the cooling water intake structure(s), commencing October 1, 2015 and continuing up to and until the owner or operator achieves final compliance. The owner or operator must include in the implementation plan, described in Section 3.A below, the specific measures that will be undertaken to comply with this requirement.high
#Q010administrativereportingmandatoryFossil Fueled Units Special Studies and Commitmentsaquatic lifeOwners or operators of fossil fueled units that have submitted implementation plans to comply with this Policy under Section 2.A(1) and have requested compliance dates after December 31, 2022 that are approved by the State Water Board as provided in Section 3.E shall: (a) Commit to eliminate OTC and seawater use for cooling water purposes for all units at the facility. (b) Conduct a study or studies, singularly or jointly with other facilities, to evaluate new technologies or improve existing technologies to reduce impingement and entrainment. (c) Submit the results of the study and a proposal to minimize entrainment and impingement to the Chief Deputy Director no later than December 31, 2015. (d) Upon approval of the proposal by the Chief Deputy Director, complete implementation of the proposal no later than December 31, 2020.Fossil fueled units submitted Track 1 implementation plans and requested compliance dates after December 31, 2022high
#Q011administrativereportingmandatoryImplementation Plan Submissionaquatic lifeWith the exception of nuclear-fueled power plants* , which are covered under 3.D, below, no later than April 1, 2011, the owner or operator of an existing power plant* shall submit an implementation plan to the State Water Board.All existing power plants excluding nuclear-fueled power plantshigh
#Q012reportingreportingmandatoryImplementation Plan Contentsaquatic lifeThe implementation plan shall identify the compliance alternative selected by the owner or operator, describe the general design, construction, or operational measures that will be undertaken to implement the alternative, and propose a realistic schedule for implementing these measures that is as short as possible. If the owner or operator chooses to repower the facility to reduce or eliminate reliance upon OTC, or to retrofit the facility to implement either Track 1 or Track 2 alternatives, the implementation plan shall identify the time period when generating power is infeasible and describe measures taken to coordinate this activity through the appropriate electrical system balancing authority's maintenance scheduling process.high
#Q013reportingreportingmandatoryRecycled Water Availability Documentationaquatic lifeIf the owner or operator selects closed-cycle wet cooling * as a compliance alternative, the owner or operator shall address in the implementation plan whether recycled water of suitable quality is available for use as makeup water.Closed-cycle wet cooling selected as compliance alternativehigh
#Q014reportingreportingmandatoryGrid Reliability Study Submissionaquatic lifeThe CAISO and the LADWP shall each submit to the SACCWIS by December 31 and January 31, respectively, each year a grid reliability study for their respective jurisdictions that has been developed pursuant to a public process and approved by their governing bodies.high
#Q015administrativeoperationalmandatoryNPDES Permits Reissuance and Modificationaquatic lifeThe Regional Water Board shall reissue or, as appropriate, modify NPDES permits issued to owners or operators of existing power plants * , after a hearing in the affected region, to ensure that the permits conform to the provisions of this Policy.high
#Q016administrativereportingmandatoryNPDES Permit Monitoring Program Requirementsaquatic lifeIf an owner or operator selects Track 2 as the compliance alternative, the NPDES permit shall include a monitoring program that complies with Section 4 of this Policy.Track 2 alternative selectedhigh
#Q017monitoringreportingmandatoryBaseline Impingement Studyaquatic lifeA baseline impingement study shall be performed, unless the discharger demonstrates, to the Regional Water Board's satisfaction, that prior studies accurately reflect current impacts. Baseline impingement shall be measured on-site and shall include sampling for all species impinged. The impingement study shall be designed to accurately characterize the species currently impinged and their seasonal abundance to the satisfaction of the Regional Water Board.high
#Q018monitoringreportingmandatoryPost-Implementation Impingement Studyaquatic lifeAfter the Track 2 controls are implemented, to confirm the level of impingement controls, another impingement study, consistent with Section 4.A(1)(a) to (d), above, shall be performed and reported to the Regional Water Board.Track 2 controls are implementedhigh
#Q019monitoringreportingmandatoryBaseline Entrainment Studyaquatic lifeA baseline entrainment study shall be performed, unless the discharger demonstrates, to the Regional Water Board's satisfaction, that prior studies accurately reflect current impacts... If the Regional Water Board determines that a new baseline entrainment study shall be performed to determine larval composition and abundance in the source water, representative of water that is being entrained, then samples must be collected using a mesh size no larger than 335 microns. Additional samples shall also be collected using a 200 micron mesh to provide a broader characterization of other meroplankton* entrained.high
#Q020monitoringreportingmandatoryEntrainment Species Identification and Preservationaquatic lifeEntrainment impacts shall be based on sampling for all ichthyoplankton * and invertebrate meroplankton * species. Individuals collected shall be identified to the lowest taxonomical level practicable. When practicable, genetic identification through molecular biological techniques may be used to assist in compliance with this requirement. Samples shall be preserved and archived such that genetic identification is possible at a later date.high
#Q021monitoringreportingmandatoryPost-Implementation Entrainment Studyaquatic lifeAfter the Track 2 controls are implemented, to confirm the level of entrainment controls, another entrainment study (with a study design to the Regional Water Board's satisfaction, with samples collected using a mesh size no larger than 335 microns, and with additional samples also collected using a 200 micron mesh) shall be performed and reported to the Regional Water Board.Track 2 controls are implementedhigh
#Q022reportingreportingmandatoryDischarger Data Provisiondrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeIt is the discharger's responsibility to provide all data and other information requested by the RWQCB before the issuance, reissuance, or modification of a permit to the extent feasible.high
#Q023administrativetreatmentmandatoryPriority Pollutant Reasonable Potential Analysisdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe RWQCB shall conduct the analysis in this section for each priority pollutant with an applicable criterion or objective, excluding priority pollutants for which a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) has been developed, to determine if a water quality-based effluent limitation is required in the discharger's permit.high
#Q024administrativereportingmandatoryCompliance Schedule Justificationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe discharger shall submit to the RWQCB the following justification before compliance schedules may be authorized in a permit: (a) documentation that diligent efforts have been made to quantify pollutant levels... (b) documentation of source control... (c) a proposed schedule... and (d) a demonstration that the proposed schedule is as short as practicable.Discharger requests compliance schedule for CTR criteriahigh
#Q025monitoringreportingmandatorySelf-Monitoring Programsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe RWQCB shall require dischargers to conduct self-monitoring programs and shall clearly state in all permits the objective and purpose of the monitoring.high
#Q026monitoringreportingmandatory2,3,7,8-TCDD Congener Monitoringdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeeach RWQCB shall require... major and minor POTW and industrial dischargers in its region to conduct effluent monitoring for the 2,3,7,8-TCDD congeners listed above.Major and minor POTWs and industrial dischargershigh
#Q027corrective_actiontreatmentmandatoryToxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE)aquatic lifeIf a discharge causes or contributes to chronic toxicity in a receiving water body, a toxicity reduction evaluation (TRE) is required.Discharge causes or contributes to chronic toxicityhigh
#Q028monitoringreportingmandatoryPeriodic Monitoring for Non-Limited Pollutantsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe RWQCB shall require periodic monitoring (at least once prior to the issuance and reissuance of a permit) for pollutants for which criteria or objectives apply and for which no effluent limitations have been established; however, the RWQCB may choose to exempt low volume discharges, determined to have no significant adverse impact on water quality, from this monitoring requirement.Pollutants for which criteria or objectives apply but no effluent limitations are establishedhigh
#Q029reportingreportingmandatoryStandardized Reporting Protocolsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe discharger shall report the results of analytical determinations for the presence of chemical constituents in a sample using the following reporting protocols: 1. Sample results greater than or equal to the RL shall be reported as measured by the laboratory (i.e., the measured chemical concentration in the sample). 2. Sample results less than the RL, but greater than or equal to the laboratory's MDL, shall be reported as 'Detected, but Not Quantified,' or DNQ. The *estimated chemical concentration of the sample shall also be reported. ... 3. Sample results less than the laboratory's MDL shall be reported as 'Not Detected,' or ND.high
#Q030operationaltreatmentmandatoryPollutant Minimization Program Componentsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe program shall include, but not be limited to, the following actions and submittals acceptable to the RWQCB: 1. An annual review and semi-annual monitoring of potential sources... 2. Quarterly monitoring for the reportable priority pollutant(s) in the influent... 3. Submittal of a control strategy... 4. Implementation of appropriate cost-effective control measures... and 5. An annual status report...Evidence priority pollutant is present above limitation and meets DNQ/ND criteriahigh
#Q031designtreatmentmandatoryMixing Zone Size Limitationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeA mixing zone shall be as small as practicable.high
#Q032administrativereportingmandatoryCategorical Exception Project Documentationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeFor each project, the discharger shall notify potentially affected public and governmental agencies. Also, the discharger shall submit to the Executive Officer of the appropriate RWQCB, for approval: (1) A detailed description of the proposed action... (2) A time schedule; (3) A discharge and receiving water quality monitoring plan... (4) CEQA documentation; (5) Contingency plans; (6) Identification of alternate water supply (if needed); and (7) Residual waste disposal plans.Discharger seeking categorical exceptionhigh
#Q033administrativetreatmentmandatoryMetal Translator Study Plan Approvalaquatic lifeThe site-specific study plan (including sampling design) must be approved by the RWQCB, after consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game, prior to conducting the study.Discharger conducting site-specific translator studyhigh
#Q034administrativetreatmentmandatoryWQBEL and Technology-Based Limit Comparisondrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeRegardless of which method is used for deriving water quality-based effluent limitations, the calculated water quality-based effluent limitations shall be compared to the technology-based effluent limitations for the pollutant, and the most protective of the two types of limitations shall be included in the permit.high
#Q035administrativeoperationalmandatoryEffluent Change Reevaluationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeAny significant change in effluent quantity or quality shall be cause for reevaluation of effluent limitations.high
#Q036reportingreportingmandatoryInterim Compliance Notificationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe interim requirements shall state that the discharger must notify the RWQCB, in writing, no later than 14 days following each interim date, of its compliance or noncompliance with the interim requirements.Compliance schedule exceeds one yearhigh
#Q037monitoringreportingmandatoryLaboratory Certification and QA/QC Reportingdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeLaboratories analyzing monitoring samples shall be certified by the Department of Health Services, in accordance with the provision of Water Code Section 13176, and must include quality assurance/quality control data with their reports.high
#Q038monitoringreportingmandatoryCalibration Standards for Minimum Leveldrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeDischargers are to instruct laboratories to establish calibration standards so that the ML value (or its equivalent if there is differential treatment of samples relative to calibration standards) is the lowest calibration standard.high
#Q039prohibitionreportingmandatoryExtrapolation Prohibitiondrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeAt no time is the discharger to use analytical data derived from extrapolation beyond the lowest point of the calibration curve.high
#Q040reportingoperationalmandatoryPost-Project Ecological Restoration Certificationaquatic lifeAdditionally, upon completion of the project, the discharger shall provide certification by a qualified biologist that the receiving water beneficial uses have been restored.Resource or pest management projects under categorical exceptionshigh
#Q041monitoringtreatmentmandatoryChronic Toxicity Test Species Requirementaquatic lifeAt least three test species with approved test protocols shall be used to measure compliance with the toxicity objective.Short-term chronic toxicity tests required in permithigh
#Q042corrective_actiontreatmentmandatoryToxicity Elimination Obligationaquatic lifeOnce the source of toxicity is identified, the discharger shall take all reasonable steps necessary to eliminate toxicity.Source of chronic toxicity identified via TREhigh
#Q043administrativetreatmentmandatoryCriteria Hardness and pH Adjustment Dutydrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeWhen implementing the provisions of this Policy, the RWQCB shall ensure that criteria/objectives are properly adjusted for hardness or pH, if applicable, using the hardness or pH values for the receiving water, and that translators are appropriately applied (in accordance with section 1.4.1), if applicable.high
#Q044operationaloperationalmandatoryEnd-of-Pipe Compliance Applicationdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeEffluent limitations shall apply to the total effluent of a waste discharge at the end-of-pipe, except in the rare situations where it is impractical or infeasible (e.g., where the final discharge point is inaccessible, or the pollutants are so diluted by cooling water as to make monitoring impractical, or interferences among pollutants make analysis infeasible).high
#Q045prohibitionhealthmandatoryDrinking Water Intake Mixing Zone Prohibitiondrinking waterA mixing zone shall... not (11) be allowed at or near any drinking water intake.high
#Q046prohibitionreportingmandatoryNew Discharger Compliance Schedule Prohibitiondrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeCompliance schedules shall not be allowed in permits for *new dischargers.New dischargers (constructed after effective date of Policy)high
#Q047reportingreportingmandatoryDioxin Congener TEF Sum Reportingdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe RWQCB shall require the discharger to multiply each measured or estimated congener concentration by its respective TEF value (presented above) and report the sum of these values.TCDD congener monitoring requiredhigh
#Q048reportingreportingmandatoryRL and MDL Sample Reportingdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeThe RWQCB shall require in the permit that the discharger shall report with each sample result: 1. The Reporting Level (RL) (selected from the MLs listed in Appendix 4 in accordance with section 2.4.2 or established in accordance with section 2.4.3); and 2. The laboratory's current Method Detection Limit (MDL), as determined by the procedure found in 40 CFR 136 (revised as of July 3, 1999).high
#Q049monitoringreportingmandatoryTCDD Monitoring Frequency (Major Dischargers)drinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeeach major POTW and major industrial discharger monitor its effluent for the presence of the 17 congeners once during dry weather and once during wet weather each of the three yearsMajor POTW or major industrial dischargerhigh
#Q050reportingreportingmandatoryReference Toxicant Sensitivity Reportingaquatic lifeThe sensitivity of the test organisms to a reference toxicant shall be determined concurrently with each bioassay and reported with the test results.high
#Q051prohibitionhealthmandatoryMixing Zone Prohibitionsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeA mixing zone shall not: (1) compromise the integrity of the entire water body; (2) cause acutely toxic conditions to aquatic life passing through the mixing zone; (3) restrict the passage of aquatic life; (4) adversely impact biologically sensitive or critical habitats, including, but not limited to, habitat of species listed under federal or State endangered species laws; (5) produce undesirable or nuisance aquatic life; (6) result in floating debris, oil, or scum; (7) produce objectionable color, odor, taste, or turbidity; (8) cause objectionable bottom deposits; (9) cause nuisance; (10) dominate the receiving water body or overlap a mixing zone from different outfallshigh
#Q052administrativereportingmandatoryAMEL Compliance Determination Protocoldrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeWhen determining compliance with an AMEL and more than one sample result is available in a month, the discharger shall compute the arithmetic mean unless the data set contains one or more reported determinations of DNQ or ND. In those cases, the discharger shall compute the median in place of the arithmetic mean in accordance with the following procedure: 1. The data set shall be ranked from low to high, reported ND determinations lowest, DNQ determinations next, followed by quantified values (if any). The order of the individual ND or DNQ determinations is unimportant. 2. The median value of the data set shall be determined.More than one sample result available in a month including DNQ or ND valueshigh
#Q053administrativereportingmandatoryMonitoring Program Specification Dutydrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifethe RWQCB shall determine, and specify under the monitoring and reporting requirements, the sampling parameters, monitoring frequencies, locations, and analytical methods to be used.high
#Q054administrativereportingmandatoryMandatory Interim Numeric Limitationsdrinking water, wastewater, aquatic lifeWhen a compliance schedule exceeds one year from the date of permit issuance, interim limitations with specific compliance dates (as described in section 2.2.1) shall be included in the NPDES permit.Compliance schedule exceeds one yearhigh
#Q055administrativetreatmentmandatoryMetal Translator Derivation Methodologyaquatic lifeThe translator shall be derived using the *median of data for translation of chronic criteria and the *90 th percentile of observed data for translation of acute criteria.Development of site-specific metal translatorshigh

P Quantitative Requirements (54)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001operationaloperationalmandatoryintake flow rate reductionotherrequirement>= 93 percentTrack 1 compliance, compared to the unit's design intake flow rateTrack 1high
#P002designoperationalmandatorythrough-screen intake velocityotherMAC<= 0.5 foot per secondTrack 1 complianceTrack 1high
#P003operationaloperationalmandatorythrough-screen intake velocityotherMAC<= 0.5 foot per secondTrack 2 compliance for impingement mortality, for plants relying solely on reductions in velocityTrack 2high
#P004operationaloperationalmandatoryreduction in impingement mortalityotherrequirement>= 90 percentA 'comparable level' is a level that achieves at least 90 percent of the reduction in impingement mortality required under Track 1Track 2high
#P005operationaloperationalmandatoryreduction in flowotherrequirement>= 93 %as compared to the average actual flow for the corresponding months from 2000 2005Track 2 compliance for entrainment, for plants relying solely on reductions in flowhigh
#P006operationaloperationalmandatoryreduction in entrainmentotherrequirement>= 90 percentA 'comparable level' is a level that achieves at least 90 percent of the reduction in entrainment required under Track 1Track 2high
#P007designoperationalmandatorydistance between exclusion barsotherMAC<= 9 inchesinstall large organism exclusion devicesowner or operator of an existing power plant with an offshore intakehigh
#P008physicalreportingmandatorymesh sizeotherMAC<= 335 micronsbaseline entrainment study to determine larval composition and abundance in the source waterIf the Regional Water Board determines that a new baseline entrainment study shall be performedhigh
#P009physicalreportingmandatorymesh sizeotherrequirement200 micronto provide a broader characterization of other meroplankton entrainedbaseline entrainment studyhigh
#P010operationalreportingmandatoryBaseline Impingement Study Durationaquatic liferequirement>= 36 monthsThe baseline impingement study period to accurately characterize the species currently impingedRequired for Track 2 compliance to establish baseline mortalityhigh
#P011operationalreportingmandatoryImpingement Sampling Durationaquatic liferequirement24 hoursMeasurement of impingement during different seasons over specific sampling periodsWhen cooling system is in operationhigh
#P012operationalreportingmandatoryBaseline Entrainment Study Durationaquatic liferequirement>= 36 monthsThe baseline entrainment study period to account for variation in oceanographic conditions and larval abundanceRequired for Track 2 compliance monitoringhigh
#P013physicalunknownguidelineZooplankton Size Thresholdaquatic liferequirement> 200 micronsClassification of planktonic invertebrates for the purposes of the policyDefinition applies throughout the documenthigh
#P014operationalhealthmandatorycompliance schedule for CTR actionsdrinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational waterrequirement<= 5 yearsactions necessary to comply with CTR criterion-based effluent limitationsfrom date of permit issuance, reissuance, or modificationhigh
#P015operationalhealthmandatorycompliance schedule for TMDL developmentdrinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational waterrequirement<= 15 yearsdevelopment and adoption of a TMDL including waste load and load allocationsfrom effective date of policyhigh
#P016operationalhealthmandatorytotal CTR compliance perioddrinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational waterrequirement<= 10 yearsmaximum time to establish and comply with CTR criterion-based effluent limitationsfrom effective date of policyhigh
#P017operationalhealthmandatorytotal TMDL compliance perioddrinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational waterrequirement<= 20 yearsmaximum time to develop TMDL and comply with TMDL-derived waste load allocationsfrom effective date of policyhigh
#P018operationalreportingmandatoryinterim report deadlinewastewaterrequirement<= 14 daysnotification following each interim date of compliance or noncomplianceunder a compliance schedulehigh
#P019operationalreportingmandatoryinterim requirement frequencywastewaterrequirement<= 1 yearmaximum time between interim dates in a compliance schedulehigh
#P020operationaloperationalmandatorymetal translator study deadlineaquatic liferequirement<= 2 yearssubmission of proposed translator and all supporting data/calculationsfrom date of issuance or reissuance of the permithigh
#P021operationalreportingmandatoryTCDD congener monitoring periodaquatic life, drinking waterrequirement3 yearsmonitoring for 17 chlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran congenersmajor POTW and industrial dischargershigh
#P022microbiologicalhealthmandatorychronic toxicity test duration (Pimephales promelas)aquatic liferequirement7 dayslarval survival and growth testfresh waterhigh
#P023microbiologicalhealthmandatorychronic toxicity test duration (Ceriodaphnia dubia)aquatic liferequirement6-8 dayssurvival and number of young testfresh waterhigh
#P024microbiologicalhealthmandatorychronic toxicity test duration (Selenastrum capricornutum)aquatic liferequirement4 daysgrowth rate testfresh waterhigh
#P025physicaloperationalmandatorycompletely-mixed discharge concentration differencewastewaterMAC<= 5 percentdifference in pollutant concentration across a transect within two stream widthsaccounting for analytical variabilityhigh
#P026physicalunknownmandatoryenclosed bay headland distance ratiootherrequirement< 75 percentratio of narrowest distance between headlands to the greatest dimension of the baydefinition of enclosed bayshigh
#P027operationaloperationalmandatorydefault coefficient of variationwastewaterrequirement0.6 dimensionlessUsed if number of effluent data points is less than ten or 80 percent of data are not detectedwhen calculating CV for effluent pollutant concentration datahigh
#P028designtreatmentmandatoryacute metal translator derivationaquatic liferequirement90 percentileThe translator shall be derived using the 90th percentile of observed data for translation of acute criteriasite-specific translator studyhigh
#P029physicaloperationalmandatorycritical receiving water flow (acute aquatic life)aquatic liferequirement1Q10 flow rateLowest flow that occurs for one day with a statistical frequency of once every 10 yearsIn calculating a dilution ratio for acute aquatic life criteria/objectiveshigh
#P030physicaloperationalmandatorycritical receiving water flow (chronic aquatic life)aquatic liferequirement7Q10 flow rateAverage low flow that occurs for seven consecutive days with a statistical frequency of once every 10 yearsIn calculating a dilution ratio for chronic aquatic life criteria/objectiveshigh
#P031chemicalhealthmandatory2,3,7,8-TCDD Toxic Equivalency Factor (TEF)aquatic life, otherrequirement1 ratioToxic potency of congener relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDDhigh
#P032chemicalhealthmandatoryArsenic Conversion Factor (Freshwater Acute)aquatic liferequirement1.000 ratioUsed to convert total recoverable metal criterion to dissolved fractionFreshwaterhigh
#P033chemicalhealthmandatoryCadmium Conversion Factor (Freshwater Acute)aquatic liferequirement0.944 ratioBased on a hardness of 100 mg/l as calcium carbonateFreshwater at standard hardnesshigh
#P034chemicalreportingmandatoryBenzene Minimum Level (GC)wastewaterrequirement0.5 ppbMinimum Level for use in reporting and compliance determinationGas Chromatography techniquehigh
#P035designtreatmentmandatorychronic metal translator derivationaquatic liferequirementmedian statisticThe translator shall be derived using the median of data for translation of chronic criteriasite-specific translator studyhigh
#P036operationalreportingmandatoryTCDD monitoring frequency (Major Dischargers)aquatic life, drinking waterrequirement2 samples per yearonce during dry weather and once during wet weather each of the three yearsmajor POTW and major industrial dischargerhigh
#P037operationalreportingmandatoryTCDD monitoring frequency (Minor Dischargers)aquatic life, drinking waterrequirement2 samples per yearonce during dry weather and once during wet weather for one year during the three-year periodminor POTW and minor industrial dischargerhigh
#P038chemicalhealthmandatory1,2,3,7,8-PentaCDD Toxic Equivalency Factoraquatic liferequirement1 ratioToxic potency relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDDhigh
#P039chemicalhealthmandatory1,2,3,4,7,8-HexaCDD Toxic Equivalency Factoraquatic liferequirement0.1 ratioToxic potency relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDDhigh
#P040chemicalhealthmandatoryOctaCDD Toxic Equivalency Factoraquatic liferequirement0.0001 ratioToxic potency relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDDhigh
#P041operationalreportingrecommendedmatrix effect dilution factorwastewaterrequirement10 factortreatment typically applied in cases where there are matrix-effects is to dilute the sample by a factor of tenmatrix-effects presenthigh
#P042operationalreportingmandatorysemi-volatile organic method factorwastewaterrequirement1000 factorsamples concentrated by extractionmost common method-specific factorhigh
#P043physicaloperationalmandatorycritical receiving water flow (human health)drinking water, aquatic liferequirementharmonic mean flow rateUsed in calculating a dilution ratio for human health criteria/objectivesInland surface waters, enclosed bays, and estuarieshigh
#P044operationaloperationalmandatorydefault monthly sampling frequencywastewaterrequirement4 samples per monthIf the sampling frequency is four times a month or less, n shall be set equal to 4Calculation of AMEL and MDEL multipliershigh
#P045operationaloperationalmandatory99th percentile z-scoreotherrequirement2.326 z-scorez = 2.326 for 99th percentile probability basisUsed in calculating ECA multipliers for acute and chronic criteriahigh
#P046operationaloperationalmandatory95th percentile z-scoreotherrequirement1.645 z-scorez = 1.645 for 95th percentile probability basisUsed in calculating AMEL multipliershigh
#P047operationalreportingmandatoryvolatile organic method factorwastewaterrequirement1 factorNo differential treatment specified for sample relative to calibration standardsMost common method-specific factor for volatile organicshigh
#P048operationalreportingmandatorypesticides method factorwastewaterrequirement100 factorSamples concentrated by extractionMost common method-specific factor for pesticideshigh
#P049operationalreportingmandatorymetals method-specific factorswastewaterrequirement0.5, 2, 4 factorCommon analytical practices where samples are diluted or concentrated for metals analysismost common method-specific factorshigh
#P050operationaloperationalmandatoryPMP influent monitoring frequencywastewaterrequirement4 times per yearQuarterly monitoring for the reportable priority pollutant(s) in the influentWhen conducting a Pollutant Minimization Programhigh
#P051operationaloperationalmandatoryPMP potential source monitoring frequencywastewaterrequirement2 times per yearSemi-annual monitoring of potential sources of the reportable priority pollutant(s)When conducting a Pollutant Minimization Programhigh
#P052physicaloperationalmandatoryreference hardness for conversion factorsaquatic liferequirement100 mg/LConversion Factors for Cadmium and Lead are based on a standard hardness value as calcium carbonateAppendix 3 metal criteria conversionhigh
#P053chemicalhealthmandatoryLead conversion factor equation coefficientaquatic liferequirement1.46203 constantLead: Acute and Chronic: CF = 1.46203 - [ln {hardness})(0.145712)]hardness-dependent conversionhigh
#P054chemicalreportingmandatoryPhenol Minimum Level (Colorimetric)wastewaterrequirement50 ppbThe lowest standard concentration in the calibration curveTable 2b semi-volatile substanceshigh

D Definitions (86)

Req ID Category Name Context Confidence
#D001Application AreaIs the area of the treated waterbody to which lanthanum-modified clay is directly applied.high
#D002Arithmetic Mean ( μ )Also called the average, is the sum of measured values divided by the number of samples.high
#D003Average Monthly Effluent Limitation (AMEL)The highest allowable average of daily discharges over a calendar month, calculated as the sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar month divided by the number of daily discharges measured during that month.high
#D004Average Weekly Effluent Limitation (AWEL)The highest allowable average of daily discharges over a calendar week (Sunday through Saturday), calculated as the sum of all daily discharges measured during a calendar week divided by the number of daily discharges measured during that week.high
#D005BioaccumulativeThose substances taken up by an organism from its surrounding medium through gill membranes, epithelial tissue, or from food and subsequently concentrated and retained in the body of the organism.high
#D006CarcinogenicPollutants are substances that are known to cause cancer in living organisms.high
#D007Coefficient of Variation (CV)CV is a measure of the data variability and is calculated as the estimated standard deviation divided by the arithmetic mean of the observed values.high
#D008Daily DischargeDaily Discharge is defined as either: (1) the total mass of the constituent discharged over the calendar day (12:00 am through 11:59 pm) or any 24-hour period that reasonably represents a calendar day for purposes of sampling (as specified in the permit), for a constituent with limitations expressed in units of mass or; (2) the unweighted arithmetic mean measurement of the constituent over the day for a constituent with limitations expressed in other units of measurement (e.g., concentration).high
#D009Detected, but Not Quantified (DNQ)DNQ are those sample results less than the reporting limit (RL), but greater than or equal to the laboratory's method detection limit (MDL). Sample results reported as DNQ are estimated concentrations.high
#D010Effluent Concentration Allowance (ECA)ECA is a value derived from the water quality criterion/objective, dilution credit, and ambient background concentration that is used, in conjunction with the coefficient of variation for the effluent monitoring data, to calculate a long-term average (LTA) discharge concentration. The ECA has the same meaning as wasteload allocation (WLA) as used in U.S. EPA guidancehigh
#D011Enclosed BaysEnclosed Bays means indentations along the coast that enclose an area of oceanic water within distinct headlands or harbor works. Enclosed bays include all bays where the narrowest distance between the headlands or outermost harbor works is less than 75 percent of the greatest dimension of the enclosed portion of the bay.high
#D012Estimated Chemical ConcentrationThe estimated chemical concentration that results from the confirmed detection of the substance by the analytical method below the minimum level (ML) value.high
#D013EstuariesEstuaries means waters, including coastal lagoons, located at the mouths of streams that serve as areas of mixing for fresh and ocean waters.high
#D014Inland Surface WatersAll surface waters of the State of California (State) that do not include the ocean, enclosed bays, or estuaries.high
#D015Instantaneous Maximum Effluent LimitationThe highest allowable value for any single grab sample or aliquot (i.e., each grab sample or aliquot is independently compared to the instantaneous maximum limitation).high
#D016Instantaneous Minimum Effluent LimitationThe lowest allowable value for any single grab sample or aliquot (i.e., each grab sample or aliquot is independently compared to the instantaneous minimum limitation).high
#D017Maximum Daily Effluent Limitation (MDEL)The highest allowable daily discharge of a pollutant, over a calendar day (or 24-hour period).high
#D018Method Detection Limit (MDL)MDL is the minimum concentration of a substance that can be reported with 99 percent confidence that the measured concentration is distinguishable from method blank results, as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). part 136, Attachment B.high
#D019Minimum Level (ML)ML is the concentration at which the entire analytical system must give a recognizable signal and acceptable calibration point. The ML is the concentration in a sample that is equivalent to the concentration of the lowest calibration standard analyzed by a specific analytical procedure, assuming that all the method specified sample weights, volumes, and processing steps have been followed.high
#D020Mixing ZoneMixing Zone is a limited volume of receiving water that is allocated for mixing with a wastewater discharge where water quality criteria can be exceeded without causing adverse effects to the overall waterbody.high
#D021Not Detected (ND)Sample results which are less than the laboratory's MDL.high
#D022Persistent PollutantsPersistent pollutants are substances for which degradation or decomposition in the environment is nonexistent or very slow.high
#D023Pollutant Minimization Program (PMP)PMP means waste minimization and pollution prevention actions that include, but are not limited to, product substitution, waste stream recycling, alternative waste management methods, and education of the public and businesses.high
#D024Pollution PreventionPollution Prevention means any action that causes a net reduction in the use or generation of a hazardous substance or other pollutant that is discharged into water and includes, but is not limited to, input change, operational improvement, production process change, and product reformulation (as defined in Water Code section 13263.3).high
#D025Reporting Level (RL)The RL is the ML (and its associated analytical method) chosen by the Discharger for reporting and compliance determination from the MLs included in this Order, including an additional factor if applicable as discussed herein.high
#D026Source of Drinking WaterAny water designated as municipal or domestic supply (MUN) in the San Diego Basin Plan.high
#D027Statistical Threshold Value (STV)The STV for the bacteria water quality objectives is a set value that approximates the 90th percentile of the water quality distribution of a bacterial population.high
#D028Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE)TRE is a study conducted in a step-wise process designed to identify the causative agents of effluent or ambient toxicity, isolate the sources of toxicity, evaluate the effectiveness of toxicity control options, and then confirm the reduction in toxicity.high
#D029Bypass'Bypass' means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility. (40 CFR § 122.41(m)(1)(i).)high
#D030Severe property damage'Severe property damage' means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities, which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources that can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass.high
#D031UpsetUpset means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology-based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the Discharger.high
#D032DischargerAny person or entity that discharges lanthanum-modified clay to canals, ditches, lakes, ponds, reservoirs or other storage or constructed conveyance facilities that are surface waters of the United States (U.S.) for the purpose of inactivating soluble reactive phosphorus.high
#D033MedianThe middle measurement in a set of data. The median of a set of data is found by first arranging the measurements in order of magnitude (either increasing or decreasing order) If the number of measurements (n) is odd, then: median = x(n+1)/2. If n is even, then: median = (xn/2 + x(n/2)+1)/2 (i.e., the midpoint between the (n/2 and ((n/2)+1))).high
#D034Standard Deviation ( σ )Standard Deviation is a measure of variability that is calculated as follows: σ = [Σ(x - µ)^2 / (n - 1)]^0.5 where: x is the observed value; µ is the arithmetic mean of the observed values; and n is the number of samples.high
#D035existing DischargersDischargers enrolled under Order No. R9-2012-0063high
#D036storm waterstorm water runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage.high
#D037illicit dischargeany discharge to a storm water conveyance system that is not composed entirely of storm water except discharges pursuant to an NPDES permit and discharges resulting from firefighting activities.high
#D038Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE)A TIE is a set of procedures to identify the specific chemical(s) responsible for toxicity. These procedures are performed in three phases (characterization, identification, and confirmation) using aquatic organism toxicity tests.high
#D039Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (Basin Plan)designates beneficial uses, establishes water quality objectives, and contains implementation programs and policies to achieve those objectives for receiving waters addressed through the plan.high
#D040HardnessHardness is a measure of divalent cations in the water. In most cases, hardness is predominately a measure of the dissolved calcium (Ca 2+ ) and dissolved magnesium (Mg 2+ ) present.high
#D041Water Effect Ratio (WER)A WER represents the correlation between the concentration that is present (measured in water sample) and the concentration that is biologically available and toxic to aquatic life.high
#D042Biologically available'Biologically available' refers to the metal being present in its free ionic state as a dissolved metal and able to take part in the biological processes of the aquatic life.high
#D043Wet weathercommonly defined as a storm event with greater than 0.1 inch of rainfall.high
#D044California Toxics Rule (CTR)a final rule prescribing water quality criteria for toxic pollutants in inland surface waters, enclosed bays, and estuaries in California on May 18, 2000.high
#D045TMDL, or Loading Capacitythe maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still attain water quality objectives and protection of designated beneficial uses.high
#D046Onsite wastewater treatment system(s)any individual or community onsite wastewater treatment, pretreatment and dispersal system including, but not limited to, a conventional, alternative, or experimental sewage dispersal system such a septic tanks having a subsurface discharge.high
#D047Pollution Preventionpractices and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants, in contrast to source control, treatment, or disposal.high
#D048Wet weather daysdays with rainfall events of 0.2 inches or greater and the following 72 hours.high
#D049Dry weather daysdays with less than 0.2 inch of rainfall observed on each of the previous 3 days.high
#D050Designated Beach Areathose recreation waters that, during the recreation season, are heavily used (based upon a comparison of use within the state) and may have a lifeguard, bathhouse facilities, or public parking for beach access. States may include any other waters in this category even if the waters do not meet these criteria.high
#D051Moderate Full Body Contact Recreationthose recreation waters that are not designated bathing beach waters but typically, during the recreation season, are used by at least half of the number of people as at typical designated bathing beach waters within the state. States may also include light use or infrequent use coastal recreation waters in this category.high
#D052Lightly Used Full Body Contact Recreationthose recreation waters that are not designated bathing beach waters but typically, during the recreation season, are used by less than half of the number of people as at typical designated bathing beach waters within the state, but are more than infrequently used. States may also include infrequent use coastal recreation waters in this category.high
#D053Infrequently Used Full Body Contactthose recreation waters that are rarely or occasionally used.high
#D054Enforcement actionany formal or informal action taken to address an incidence of actual or threatened noncompliance with existing regulations or provisions designed to protect water quality.high
#D055Adaptive managementa structured iterative implementation process that offers flexibility for responsible parties to monitor implementation actions, determine the success of such actions and ultimately, base future management decisions upon the measured results of completed implementation actions and the current state of the system.high
#D056storm waterstorm water runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage.high
#D057illicit dischargeany discharge to a storm water conveyance system that is not composed entirely of storm water except discharges pursuant to a NPDES permit and discharges resulting from fire fighting activities.high
#D058CopermitteeThe term Copermittee in this Order refers to any San Diego County, Orange County, or Riverside County Copermittee covered under this Order, unless specified otherwise.high
#D059Persistent flowPersistent flow is defined as the presence of flowing, pooled, or ponded water more than 72 hours after a measureable rainfall event of 0.1 inch or greater during three consecutive monitoring and/or inspection events. All other flowing, pooled, or ponded water is considered transient.high
#D060RestaurantsThis category is defined as a facility that sells prepared foods and drinks for consumption, including stationary lunch counters and refreshment stands selling prepared foods and drinks for immediate consumption (SIC code 5812).high
#D061Hillside development projectsThis category includes development on any natural slope that is twenty-five percent or greater.high
#D062Parking lotsThis category is defined as a land area or facility for the temporary parking or storage of motor vehicles used personally, for business, or for commerce.high
#D063Streets, roads, highways, freeways, and drivewaysThis category is defined as any paved impervious surface used for the transportation of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles.high
#D064Automotive repair shopsThis category is defined as a facility that is categorized in any one of the following Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes: 5013, 5014, 5541, 7532-7534, or 7536-7539.high
#D065Retail gasoline outlets (RGOs)This category includes RGOs that meet the following criteria: (a) 5,000 square feet or more or (b) a projected Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 100 or more vehicles per day.high
#D066Bypass'Bypass' means the intentional diversion of waste streams from any portion of a treatment facility.high
#D067Severe property damage'Severe property damage' means substantial physical damage to property, damage to the treatment facilities which causes them to become inoperable, or substantial and permanent loss of natural resources which can reasonably be expected to occur in the absence of a bypass. Severe property damage does not mean economic loss caused by delays in production.high
#D068Upset'Upset' means an exceptional incident in which there is unintentional and temporary noncompliance with technology based permit effluent limitations because of factors beyond the reasonable control of the Copermittee. An upset does not include noncompliance to the extent caused by operational error, improperly designed treatment facilities, inadequate treatment facilities, lack of preventive maintenance, or careless or improper operation.high
#D069Active/Passive Sediment TreatmentUsing mechanical, electrical or chemical means to flocculate or coagulate suspended sediment for removal from runoff from construction sites prior to discharge.high
#D070Anthropogenic LitterTrash generated from human activities, not including sediment.high
#D071Beneficial UsesThe uses of water necessary for the survival or wellbeing of man, plants, and wildlife. These uses of water serve to promote tangible and intangible economic, social, and environmental goals. 'Beneficial Uses' of the waters of the State that may be protected include, but are not limited to, domestic, municipal, agricultural and industrial supply; power generation; recreation; aesthetic enjoyment; navigation; and preservation and enhancement of fish, wildlife, and other aquatic resources or preserves. Existing beneficial uses are uses that were attained in the surface or ground water on or after November 28, 1975; and potential beneficial uses are uses that would probably develop in future years through the implementation of various control measures. 'Beneficial Uses' are equivalent to 'Designated Uses' under federal law. [California Water Code Section 13050(f)].high
#D072Best Management Practices (BMPs)Defined in 40 CFR 122.2 as schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of waters of the United States. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.high
#D073BioassessmentThe use of biological community information to evaluate the biological integrity of a water body and its watershed. With respect to aquatic ecosystems, bioassessment is the collection and analysis of samples of the benthic macroinvertebrate community together with physical/habitat quality measurements associated with the sampling site and the watershed to evaluate the biological condition (i.e. biotic integrity) of a water body.high
#D074BiofiltrationPractices that use vegetation and amended soils to detain and treat runoff from impervious areas. Treatment is through filtration, infiltration, adsorption, ion exchange, and biological uptake of pollutants.high
#D075Biological IntegrityDefined in Karr J.R. and D.R. Dudley. 1981. Ecological perspective on water quality goals. Environmental Management 5:55-68 as: 'A balanced, integrated, adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of natural habitat of the region.' Also referred to as ecosystem health.high
#D076BMP Design ManualA plan developed to eliminate, reduce, or mitigate the impacts of runoff from development projects, including Priority Development Projects.high
#D077Chronic ToxicityA measurement of sublethal effect (e.g. reduced growth, reproduction) to experimental test organisms exposed to an effluent or receiving waters compared to that of the control organisms.high
#D078Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Water BodyAn impaired water body in which water quality does not meet applicable water quality standards and/or is not expected to meet water quality standards, even after the application of technology based pollution controls required by the CWA. The discharge of runoff to these water bodies by the Copermittees is significant because these discharges can cause or contribute to violations of applicable water quality standards.high
#D079Construction ActivitiesActions implemented during construction of development or redevelopment projects during the Preliminary Task (including rough grading and/or disking, clearing and grubbing operations, or any soil disturbance prior to mass grading), Grading or Land Development (including topography and slope reconfiguration, alluvium removals, canyon cleanouts, rock undercuts, keyway excavations, land form grading, and stockpiling of select material for capping operations), Streets and Utility Installation (including excavation and street paving, lot grading, curbs, gutters and sidewalks, public utilities, public water facilities including fire hydrants, public sanitary sewer systems, storm sewer systems and/or other drainage improvements), or Vertical Construction (including the build out of structures from foundations to roofing, including rough landscaping).high
#D080Construction SiteAny project, including projects requiring coverage under the Construction General Permit, that involves soil disturbing activities including, but not limited to, clearing, grading, disturbances to ground such as stockpiling, and excavation.high
#D081ContaminationAs defined in the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, contamination is 'an impairment of the quality of waters of the State by waste to a degree which creates a hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease. 'Contamination' includes any equivalent effect resulting from the disposal of waste whether or not waters of the State are affected.'high
#D082Critical Channel Flow (Qc)The channel flow that produces the critical shear stress that initiates bed movement or that erodes the toe of channel banks. When measuring Qc, it should be based on the weakest boundary material - either bed or bank.high
#D083Daily DischargeDefined as either: (1) the total mass of the constituent discharged over the calendar day or any 24 hour period that reasonably represents a calendar day for purposes of sampling (as specified in the permit), for a constituent with limitations expressed in units of mass or; (2) the unweighted arithmetic mean measurement of the constituent over the day for a constituent with limitations expressed in other units of measurement (e.g. concentration.)high
#D084Development ProjectsConstruction, rehabilitation, redevelopment, or reconstruction of any public or private projects.high
#D085Dry SeasonMay 1 to September 30.high
#D086Dry WeatherWeather is considered dry if the preceding 72 hours has been without measurable precipitation (>0.1 inch).high