HomeMy WebLinkAboutIRWD Recycled Water DiversionIrvine Ranch Water District
Ian Swift, Natural Resources Manager
NPDES Permit Amendment Update
City of Newport Beach – Water Quality/Coastal
Tidelands Committee
6 September 2018
Background on NPDES Amendment
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•IRWD is seeking amendment to our Michelson Water Recycling Plant NPDES Permit to divert fully-treated recycled water to San Diego Creek under specified
emergency conditions only
•Workshop was held with City, OCWD, OCSD, and NGOs
•City and IRWD signed an agreement and support letter in February 2018
•Permit amendment will be heard by SARWQCB on 7 September
•Permit will expire in 1.8 years; subject to approval
every 5 years
IRWD-City Agreement – Primary Steps
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•Nutrients: Algal Blooms
•Pathogens: Human Heal Effects
•Metals: Systemic Ecosystem
Consequences
•Increasing Regulation
•Stop importing water from MWD to supplement
recycled water system
•Turn off all irrigation wells into the recycled water
system
•Stop producing recycled water at the LAWRP
•Send excess recycled water from MWRP to OCWD
through GAP
•If possible, turn off DOJ wells (limited to 60 days)
•Send as much water as possible (by agreement) to
SOCWA outfall
•Confirm OCWD & OCSD cannot take additional flows
IRWD-City Agreement – Future Steps
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IRWD will continue to work diligently towards
completing the following:
•Connection from MWRP through GAP to Santa Ana
River
•Construction of additional recycled water storage
reservoir
•Conduct workshops with, and update stakeholders
on these projects and conditions upon IRWD’s
NPDES permit renewal before June 2020
MWRP via GAP to Santa Ana River
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•Coordination with OCWD and OCSD on feasibility
•Conducted analysis to identify options to route
recycled water flows from MRWP to Santa Ana
River
•More than half of the 20 MGD produced by MWRP
can be conveyed through the system currently
Syphon Reservoir
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•Initiated a EIR for the project
•Applied for Title 16 federal funding
•Current project on track; ~10 years
Stakeholder Updates
7
•Current Presentation
•IRWD will attend future WQ/CT Committee
meetings and update the Committee every six
months on the Agreement
•Can alternate with updates of IRWD’s NTS
program
Lower San Diego Creek Dry WX Interception
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•IRWD has initiated $100k feasibility study
•Divert Flows from Sand Canyon, UCI, and Bonita
Canyon
•Pursuing funding from OCTA (Measure M), Prop 1,
Prop 68, and IRWM sources.
•IRWD will need City’s approval of the project
Lower San Diego Creek Tributaries
9
IRWD’s Natural Treatment System
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Proposed Sub-Watershed Area
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