HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-30; Information on the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility Regulatory Compliance; Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Jan.30,2020
To:
From:
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Council Memorandum
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Vicki Quiram, Utilities Director tJ ,
Elaine Lu key, Chief Operations Officer-V-
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Carlsbad .
Memo ID# 2020009
Re: lnformation on the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility Regulatory Compliance
This memorandum provides information related to annual chemical monitoring and reporting
to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the Carlsbad Water Recycling Facility
(CWRF). On Jan. 22, 2020, Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA) notified staff that the CWRF .
exceeded the 60 milligrams per liter (mg/I) annual sodium limit for calendar year 2019.
Background
CWRF is operated by EWA through an Operations and Maintenance Memorandum of
Understanding approved by the City Council on May 1, 2005. Per the agreement, EWA is
required to notify the city of any violations that occur at CWRF. EWA is preparing the CWRF
annual report that will be submitted to the SWRCB in the next week noting the sodium limit
violation.
Discussion
In addition to many other chemical constituents, CWRF's waste discharge permit (California
Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region Order No. 2001-352) requires that
recycled water produced at CWRF not exceed the Basin Plan ground water quality objectives for
its.hydrologic unit. An annual sodium limit of 60 mg/I is one of the objectives. Test results from
2019 indicate that sodium concentrations ranged between 59.7-65.7 mg/I. To staff's
knowledge, the higher sodium concentration has not negatively impacted any landscaping
irrigated with recycled water over the past year, and recycled water produced at CWRF is safe
for its intended use.
Next Steps
EWA's quarterly monitoring frequency is required to increase to monthly until compliance is
achieved for three consecutive reporting periods. EWA will develop a corrective action to
ensure recycled water produced at CWRF meets and/or exceeds the applicable standard. EWA
is currently compiling historical test data and investigating the issue to provide further
recommendations to the city. Staff will work with EWA staff and update the City Council on
resolution of the issue as more information becomes available.
Public Works Branch
Utilities Department
Carlsbad Municipal Water District 5950 El Camino Real I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-438-2722
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Jan. 30, 2020
Page 2
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Cindie McMahon, Assistant City Attorney
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
James Wood, Environmental Manager