Drinking Water Policy

Drinking Water Policy for Surface Waters of the Delta and its Upstream Tributaries

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A multi-year effort is currently underway to develop a drinking water policy for surface waters in the Central Valley. As water flows out of the sierra foothills and into the valley, pollutants from a variety of urban, industrial, agricultural, and natural sources affect the quality of water, which leads to drinking water treatment challenges and potential public health concerns. Current policies and plans lack water quality objectives for several known drinking water constituents of concern, such as disinfection by-product precursors and pathogens, and do not include implementation strategies to provide effective source water protection. The exact types of regulatory requirements that will be included in the drinking water policy have not been determined but the goal is to develop a policy that provides clear guidance to ensure consistent source water protection. For more information contact Jay Simi at (916) 464-4833 or by email at jsimi@waterboards.ca.gov or Sue McConnell at (916) 464-4798 and smcconnell@waterboards.ca.gov.

New! Draft Basin Plan Amendment and Staff Report to Establish a Drinking Water Policy for Surface Waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Upstream Tributaries, 1.82 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Comments Received:
  - Central Valley Drinking Water Workgroup members, 829 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - David Smith, Janet Hashimoto; United States Environmental Protection Agency, 108 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Dennis Westcott; San Joaquin River Group Authority, 45 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

New! REVISED Notice of Public Workshop and Public Hearing and Notice of Filing of draft Environmental Documents - Drinking Water Policy for Surface Waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Upstream Tributaries, 74 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Deadline to submit comments has been extended.
- Written comments must be submitted to the above email or to the Central Valley Water Board office by 15 May 2013.

New! On 11 April 2013 a public hearing was held to receive comments on an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins to establish a Drinking Water Policy for Surface Waters of the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta and Upstream Tributaries. The proposed Policy will be considered for adoption during the July 2013 meeting of the Central Valley Water Board.
Materials from the 2013 public hearing:
- Staff Presentation, 3.32 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Drinking Water Policy Fact Sheet, 235 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Drinking Water Policy Information Pamphlet, 349 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- The July public hearing is scheduled as follows:
  - Date: 25 to 26 July 2013
  - Time: 8:30 a.m.
  - Place: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive, #200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, 69 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

The Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Workgroup has finalized a report documenting and synthesizing the results of technical studies conducted to support the development of a Central Valley Drinking Water Policy (21 February 2012).
- Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Workgroup Synthesis Report, 1.3 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)

Final Drinking Water Policy Outline, Workplan, and Funding Proposal Approved by the Central Valley Water Board Executive Officer
- Approval Memo, 26 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Policy Outline, 24 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Workplan/Funding Proposal, 31 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Update on Drinking Water Policy Development, Information Item during October 13th Central Valley Water Board Meeting
- October Information Item, Agenda Package, 60 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- October Information Item, Staff Presentation, 309 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework (WARMF) Model Documentation

Sacramento River Calibration, 3.41 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
San Joaquin River Calibration, 1.32 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
CALSIM Linkage, 1.73 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
Sensitivity Analysis, 1.63 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)

New! 16 April 2013 seminar and discussion of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed Models for Water Supply / Water Quality Sponsored by the Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Workgroup

Presentation Materials, 6.26 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)

Drinking Water Treatment Evaluation
- Cover Letter and Comment Table, 171 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Project Report, 3.38 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)

Source Control Evaluations
The following studies were conducted to provide inputs and refinements for modeling efforts evaluating various future scenarios and their impacts on drinking water treatment needs of Delta water. The wastewater and urban runoff studies include predicted future regulatory scenarios and cost estimates.
- Evaluation of the current and predicted 2030 loads for drinking water constituents of concern that are discharged by Publicly Owned Treatment Works within the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River and tributary watersheds to the Delta. Wastewater Control Measures Study, 2.49 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Evaluation of current and projected 2030 urban land uses and water quality of urban runoff in the Central Valley. Urban Sources Study, 848 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Refinement of Agricultural Inputs for Analytical Modeling. Agricultural Inputs Document, 901 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Resolution R5-2010-0079 (29 July 2010), 49 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Comments were received by 1 July 2010 from the following entities:
  - California Urban Water Agencies, 81 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, 1.19 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Carol DiGiorgio with the Department of Water Resources, 20 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Central Valley Clean Water Association, 69 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - California Department of Public Health, 50 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - City of Sacramento Stormwater Management Program, 345 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Technical memorandum regarding the study boundaries for identifying and evaluating the effects that changes in water quality might have on central valley water treatment plants.
- Drinking Water Treatment Evaluation, Definition of Study Boundaries, 884 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Technical memorandums regarding the evaluation of drinking water quality goals as well as a summary table for the evaluation.
- Review Procedures, Policies, and Guidance Used by Other California Agencies, 100 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Review Procedures, Policies, and Guidance Used by US EPA, 129 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Identify Water Quality Goals or Policies Adopted by Other States and Countries, 133 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Review California Regional Water Board Basin Plans and Policies, 218 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Summary Table, 52 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

CEQA Scoping
A public workshop and CEQA scoping meeting was held on August 25, 26, and 27th in Rancho Cordova, Stockton and Chico, respectively.

Notice of Public Workshop and CEQA Scoping Meeting, 48 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
CEQA Scoping Staff Report, 332 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
Power Point presentation for the CEQA scoping meetings, 592 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
CEQA Scoping Comments:

California Urban Water Agencies, 48 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
Central Valley Clean Water Association, 141 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
G. Fred Lee & Associates, 26 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
Rancho Murieta Community Services District, 122 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, 45 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Drinking Water Policy Fact Sheet Update #1 - September 2006, 188 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

3 October 2006 Public Workshop
The intent of this workshop was to update interested stakeholders and the general public on the status of development of the drinking water policy and related efforts and to obtain input.
- Agenda, 31 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Summary, 37 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Presentations
  The Drinking Water Policy Workgroup collaborates with several agencies to acquire and share data and modeling tools. These agencies presented updates on their ongoing studies related to drinking water quality, some of which are posted below.
  - Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Overview, 29 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Overview of Technical Studies, 72 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Conceptual Models for Organic Carbon, Nutrients, and Pathogens, 724 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Conceptual Model for Salinity, 338 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Basin Plan Amendment Process & Schedule, 181 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Relationship of Drinking Water Policy to CALFED Program, 51 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Policy Issues to be Addressed & Next Steps, 14 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Central Valley Salinity Management Plan, 32 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Delta Water Quality Fingerprinting Using DSM2, 581 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Developing and Testing Rangeland BMPs That Account for Temporal and Spatial Variability of Transport of DOC and Nutrients, 643 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Monitoring Existing Water Quality at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, 88 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

The Future for Drinking Water Contaminant Regulations, 1.68 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
Bruce Macler, USEPA Region 9, delivered a presentation to the Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Workgroup on 11 December 2006. The presentation centered on how EPA develops regulations for contaminants of concern in drinking water and how a drinking water regulation is initiated and promulgated including the information necessary to list a contaminant on the Candidate Contaminant List (CCL). Bruce concluded with a review of the current status of various constituents on the CCL and emerging constituents of concern.

Conceptual Model for Salinity in the Central Valley and Sacramento San Joaquin Delta
- Complete Document, 6.1 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Document Pages
  - Pages 1-12, 892 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 13-27, 921 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 28-38, 958 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 39-55, 966 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 56-58, 821 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 59-61, 1.04 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Pages 62-65, 791 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Conceptual Model for Pathogens and Pathogen Indicators
- Complete Document, 6.4 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Document Sections
  - Report Cover, Table of Contents, & Executive Summary, 792 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 1, 85 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 2, pages 1-11, 154 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 2, page 12, 1.2 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 2, page 13-14, 54 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 3, page 1-5, 713 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 3, pages 6-8, 2.4 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 3, pages 9-23, 289 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 4 and 5, 227 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Conceptual Model for Nutrients in the Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
- Complete Document, 9.6 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Document Sections
  - Document Cover, Table of Contents, and Executive Summary, 899 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 1: Introduction, 48 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 2: Nutrient in Aquatic Ecosystems and Pathways of Disinfection Byproduct Formation, 226 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 3: Overview of Data Used for Analysis
    - Chapter 3, pages 1-11, 903 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 3, pages 12-21, 1.00 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 3, pages 22-25, 873 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 3, pages 26-35, 980 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 4: Loads Transported From Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins
    - Chapter 4, pages 1-14, 742 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 15-17, 988 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 18-22, 1.01 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 23-25, 621 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 26-28, 901 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 29-42, 918 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 43-55, 813 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 56-69, 857 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 5: Nutrient Concentrations and Loads in the Delta, 596 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 6: Major Findings and Recommendations for Future Work, 98 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - References, 103 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Appendices: Summary of Nutrient and Flow Data, 298 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Conceptual Model for Organic Carbon in the Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
- Complete Document, 9.1 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
- Document Sections
  - Document Cover, Table of Contents, and Executive Summary, 241 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 1: Introduction, 121 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 2: Organic Carbon in Aquatic Ecosystems and Pathways of Disinfection Byproduct Formation, 187 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 3: Overview of Data Used for Analysis
    - Chapter 3, pages 1-5 , 1.04 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 3, pages 6-10, 578 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 3, pages 11-19, 842 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 4: Loads Transported From Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins
    - Chapter 4, pages 1-15, 1.36 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 16-20, 1.06 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 21-25, 953 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 26-30, 1.15 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 31-40, 1.09 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 41-50, 1.30 MB*, PDF (PDF Info)
    - Chapter 4, pages 51-60, 374 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 5: Organic Carbon Concentrations and Loads in the Delta, 478 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Chapter 6: Major Findings and Recommendations for Future Work, 177 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - References, 99 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
  - Appendices: Summary of Organic Carbon and Flow Data, 171 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Drinking Water Policy Constituent Prioritization Summary, 103 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
Technical memo summarizing the process the Central Valley Drinking Water Policy Workgroup used to prioritize drinking water constituents for future work.

Identification of Existing Data and Planned Monitoring, 970 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
An inventory of existing major water quality data sources for drinking water constituents of concern. The metadata spreadsheet used to compile this report is available upon request.

Resolution in Support of Developing a Drinking Water Policy for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Upstream Tributaries
The purpose of the resolution is to show progress toward developing a policy and affirm the Regional Board's commitment to the effort.
- Resolution No. R5-2004-0091, 33 KB, PDF (PDF Info)
- Staff Report, 632 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Drinking Water Policy Fact Sheet, 76 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

Technical Workplan, 40 KB, PDF (PDF Info)

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--Web page updated 05/20/2013