FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Lan C. Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services
SUBJECT:
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PAYMENT OF ANNUAL NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT FEES
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to:
Approve payment to the State Water Resources Control Board in an amount not to exceed $950,000 for the annual National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ocean discharge permit fees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
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BACKGROUND
Under the Clean Water Act, the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) lawfully discharges treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean under its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) ocean discharge permit which is jointly administered by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (SARWQCB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). In accordance with Sections 13260 and 13269 of the California Water Code, an annual fee is required to maintain this permit. The fee is based on OC San’s facility design flow.
OC San is expecting an invoice for the permit fee from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to arrive in December 2025 with a short turnaround time for payment. Staff have confirmed with SWRCB personnel the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 annual permit fee will be similar to the annual permit fee for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 ($917,519) but below $950,000. Thus, staff recommends that the Board of Directors approve payment of the annual ocean discharge permit fees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in the amount not to exceed $950,000.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Comply with environmental permit requirements
• 24/7/365 treatment plant reliability
• Comply with Government Code Section (California Water Code Sections 13260 & 13269)
PROBLEM
OC San is required by California Water Code Sections 13260 and 13269 to pay an annual fee to maintain our NPDES ocean discharge permit.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Approve payment of the annual NPDES ocean discharge permit fees in an amount not to exceed $950,000, as to be invoiced by the SWRCB for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
TIMING CONCERNS
If the invoice is not paid in a timely manner, OC San may be subject to late fees.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If payment is delayed, OC San would be subject to penalties under provisions of the California Water Code Section 13261. These actions could include daily penalties in addition to the fee or other actions deemed appropriate by SARWQCB.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
This fee is invoiced and paid annually.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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CEQA
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FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, Section 6, Page 64, Environmental Compliance) and the budget is sufficient for the recommended action.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
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