The Northwest Environmental Training Center will offer a 2-day overview of California’s stormwater rules on October 6-7 in Sacramento.
Stormwater pollution from both point and non-point sources pose serious ecological, economic and social risks. Stringent regulations regarding pollution sources help reduce these risks. This course provides an overview of California’s stormwater regulations, including the General Industrial Stormwater Permit, the General Construction Stormwater Permit, Phase I and II municipal permitting, and programs addressing non-point source pollution like Confined Animal Feeding Operations and the Irrigated Lands Program. The course will also address the federal regulation of point and non-point pollution. The history and origin of each of the permits will be discussed, and the basic requirements of each permit will be outlined.
Find out more and Register Online
At its July meeting, CWEA LABS presented an overview of Los Angeles County’s Stormwater Monitoring programs. The featured speaker was Oliver D. Galang, P.E., Section Manager with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works’ Watershed Management Division. Oliver described the Los Angeles County’s existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program and provided an update of efforts to modernize and expand these into a systemwide water quality monitoring system. Read more
This is your opportunity to shine! We are looking for dynamic individuals with vision and energy to make this a memorable event. Whatever your unique skill set is, there is a place for you. Not sure how you can participate? No worries! If you are willing, able, and smiling, we’ll find just the right spot for you!
Contact John Mukhar at John.Mukhar@sanjoseca.gov to join the team or for more information…
Hanlon Announces April 15th EPA Water Summit in Washington DC
By Alec Mackie
P3S Vendor Co-Chair
In early March 300 wastewater and stormwater professionals gathered in Long Beach for the California Water Environment Association’s 37th annual Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention and Stormwater conference, known as P3S. State and federal regulators provided updates on programs and goals, while California professionals offered updates on their finished and ongoing projects. There were nearly 70 presentations during the three day conference, including several on the hot topics of MS4 permits, water reuse and chemicals of emerging concern.
In the opening session James Hanlon, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management for the EPA, made the first public announcement of an April 15th clean water summit featuring EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. The summit will bring together several of the “top thinkers” from all aspects of the water industry to discuss how to get the country on the right track toward achieving clean water goals. The summit will also focus on innovation and green jobs as well as examine difficult issues of non-point and stormwater pollution. The summit will be held in Washington DC and also features Peter Silva, EPA’s Head of the Office of Water.
Award Winner: Huntsman Advanced Materials
By Paul Schmidtbauer and Tim Potter, P3S Awards Committee
Since 1971, the P3S Committee has been recognizing the achievements of high performing companies in the area of wastewater and stormwater excellence with annual awards. Separate awards are given for Southern California and Northern California and in the large and small facility categories.
Award nominations are submitted by local authorities such as the local POTW source control inspector. Nominees are evaluated by the P3S awards subcommittee including an on-site inspection. To nominate an outstanding company in your region, please email pschmidtbauer@socwa.com.
Also during the awards banquet Preeti Ghuman, an engineer with LACSD, was presented with her P3S silver manhole.
On WEF’s Water Blog Tyler Richards, chair of the Stormwater Committee, notes the Association is seeing more demand for guidance on stormwater treatment issues. The EPA is expected to revise standards soon and WEF wants members to have a voice in those changes.
I’m enthusiastic about our challenge to look at stormwater from all aspects and come up with a comprehensive plan for stormwater programming at WEF. Numerous related efforts like technical sessions, papers, workshops, and the Federation’s upcoming comments to EPA continue to attract interest and support here at WEF. We are reviewing and prioritizing all of them with an eye toward increased effectiveness while solidifying and expanding the stormwater knowledge base for water quality professionals
Tyler’s stormwater post is here. He is a Deputy Director of Water Operations for Gwinnett County.
The Stormwater Resource Planning Act, SB 790 allows municipalities to tap bond funds to help them design-build projects which will capture, store and reuse stormwater. Municipalities can tap funds from bonds 50 and 84. The bill was signed earlier this month and goes into effect Jan 1, 2010.
State Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) authored the bill:
I was proud to carry 790. It uses existing funds to create new water supplies out of water that in the past was simply treated and dumped. This bill helps create a significant new source of water for our always water-short state.
The Los Angeles Times points out the LA Basin sends 100 million gallons per day right to the ocean during a storm – some of which might soon be captured and stored. Read more>
Narrated by Robert Redford, this lively and timely series is about one of America’s greatest natural resources – San Francisco Bay. Shot in high definition, it consists of four episodes focusing on the geological, cultural, and developmental history of San Francisco Bay and the larger northern California watershed, from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Farallon Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
From the Gold Rush to the Golden Gate Bridge, and through World’s Fairs and World Wars, San Francisco Bay has been central to the identity of one of the world’s leading economic, academic, recreational, and cultural regions. This series explores its evolution, how we almost lost and then saved the Bay, and how we are planning for the future, including wetland restoration, increased public access, and balancing the often competing needs of a fragile ecosystem that is the centerpiece of a major urban area.
Saving the Bay is airing on KQED and KTEH through November. Click here for previews and broadcast schedules.
Navigating Through the Storm – Setting a Course to Clean Water!
CWEA P3S Conference – Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention and Stormwater Treatment
March 1-3, 2010
Long Beach Hilton
Sign-up forms:
Sponsored by:
MWD (administrative sponsor); TetraTech (food and breaks); and our session sponsors: Malcolm Pirnie; MWH; Larry Walker Associates; Stormwater Solutions magazines; Synagro and JWC Environmental
For more information on exhibits or sponsorships please contact co-chairs Greg Kent (stormwater) or Alec Mackie (Ww).
