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 SO...
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