BAPPG Chair: Robert Wilson, City of Petaluma

BAPPG Co-Chair: James Parrish, Regional Board

BAPPG Vice Chairs: Kathryn Gillick, SFPUC Joe Neugebauer, WCWD Prepared by: Joe Neugebauer

Date: 1/11/2016 

# 2015 Annual Report

Covering reporting period of 1/1/2015 – 12/31/2015BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 1 2015 Annual Report Jan. 1, 2015 – Dec. 31, 2015

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (BAPPG), a committee of the Bay Area Clean Water Agencies (BACWA), is comprised of 43 Bay Area wastewater agenci es that work together to coordinate pollution prevention activities and leverage resourc es for smaller agencies to reduce the amount of toxic pollutants di scharged into the San Francisc o bay and local waterways. Wastewater agency representatives meet bi-monthly to share info rmation, leverage resources and develop regional activities that h elp member agencies meet regu latory outreach requirements and BAPPG goals.

2015 COMMITTEE UPDATES

BAPPG, with assistance from O’R orke, Inc., conducted an audit o f baywise.org, the BAPPG Yahoo group and the BACWA BAPPG we bpage with the end goal of co nsolidating material and streamlining content. Baywise.org will continue to be the publi c facing site for pollution prevention messaging, and the BACWA BAPPG webpage will be used for internal committee communication, including password- protected areas with material s from previous campaigns. The BAPPG Yahoo group will be elimi nated once the files have be en transferred and/or saved. O’Rorke, Inc. moderated a train ing session for BAPPG team membe rs on how to transfer files onto the BACWA BAPPG webpage. Work on this project started dur ing 2015 and will continue in 2016. Training on adding content to baywise.org will occur during 2016.

CURRENT PROJECT UPDATES

This report serves as an update to BACWA and member agencies fo r all BAPPG projects, by pollutant, which took place from January 1 through December 31, 2015.

1. COPPER

2. DIOXIN

3. FATS OILS AND GREASE (FOG)

4. MERCURY AND SILVER

5. NUTRIENTS

6. PCBS AND HAZARDOUS DEMOLITION WASTE

7. PESTICIDES

8. PHARMACEUTICALS

9. TRICLOSAN

10. TRASH AND WIPESBAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 2 

### 1. POLLUTANT: COPPER

Pollutant Description Copper pipe corrosion has been a major concern to the wastewate r community for more than a decade. For many years, the messages have focused on proper ins tallation, including the use of a

water-based flushable flux. In Ca lifornia, there are also alter natives to copper pipe for potable and non-potable installations, such as PEX.

Key Messages

1. Select only ASTM B813 water-flu shable flux rather than petrolat um-based flux (which is

not flushable and increas es pipe corrosion rates)

2. Incorporate additional BMPs during design, reaming, cleaning, a nd building commissioning that will reduce pipe corrosion rate

Project Description Timeline Budget

Outreach to

Plumbers and Building Inspectors Offered to provide pres entations to plumbing unions and building inspector associations about plumbing installation BMPs. Also offered to provide building inspector association with the preliminary results of the 2014 BAPPG study regarding life cycle a nd worker safety of copper versus PEX plumbing. Calendar

Year

2015 $1,500

Results Three plumbing presentations wer e provided in March-May 2015, r eaching approximately 300 plumbers and apprentices . At these presentations, there w ere significant discussions ab out copper pipe corrosion, flux choices , and PEX. There were also s ignificant questions from the audience about “flushable” wipes, pharmaceuticals, and drinking water supply.

In August 2015, BAPPG conducted a presentation and had a discus sion with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechan ical Officials (IAPMO), a pro fessional society for building inspectors, to discuss copper vers us PEX life cycle analyses an d flux issues. This was the first time BAPPG presented findings reg arding life cycle and worker s afety issues of the two plumbing materials. The audien ce included buildi ng inspectors, contractors, and PVC (not PEX) distributors. There was signifi cant push-back from audience mem bers who clearly prefer copper as a plumbing material.

Next Steps BAPPG has been delivering the copper plumbing BMP messages for more than a decade, yet BAPPG learned in 2013 that the “best practice” of selecting wat er-flushable flux (“Key Message #1, and consistent with the Universal Plumbing Code standard) i s being virtually ignored throughout the plumbing sector. In addition, in 2014 Stephanie Hughes completed an analysis of copper versus PEX from life cycle and worker safety perspective s that included information to support the use of PEX installati ons. These findings initiated discussions within BAPPG regarding whether to upda te plumbing messages.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 3 The August 2015 presentation was the first time BAPPG reached o ut to the building inspector and contractor community regardi ng the lifecycle and worker saf ety findings. The resulting discussion made it evident that building contractors and inspec tors will continue to use and approve of plumbing materials that they believe to be the most reliable irrespective of lifecycle or wastewater impacts.

Prior to continuing or developing outreach actions, it may be a ppropriate to update the copper source analysis for wastewater. The copper source analysis ofte n cited within BAPPG is a 1996 document incorporating an assumption from a 1994 document. At t he August 2015 IAPMO meeting, participants questioned the date of the analysis and s uggested that there may be new or

different sources at this time.



### 2. POLLUTANT: DIOXIN

Pollutant Description When combustibles are burned, many pollutants, including dioxin s, are emitted into the air, disperse over the land and are ultimately transported in runoff when it rains. These pollutants can then get into the wastewater stream via inflow and infiltra tion, so controlling burning ultimately helps reduce these pollutants in stormwater and wast ewater. Since a previous BACWA study found that dioxins are uncontrollable in wastewater , BAPPG’s approach to reducing this pollutant at its source is to discourage the burn ing of wood and holiday wrapping paper, and to partner with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to support their “Spare the Air” campaign.

Key Messages

1. Don’t burn holiday wrapping pape r or wood, especially during “S pare the Air” days

Project Description Timeline Budget

Wrapping paper

press release Worked with O’Rorke, Inc. to develop a press release discouraging th e burning of wrapping paper and wood. The release was distributed during an alternative wrapping pape r press event, held at Westfield Mall in San Francisco on December 10, 2015. The event and press release were covered by

the local media as well as online news sources. December 10, 2015-

present $2,000

Results

12 total stories

 9 radio stories, all on KCBS

 2 TV spots, one on KTSF and one on KGO

 One online story with World Journal

 The total publicity value for this coverage is $12,242. Radio p ublicity values are based on

Arbitron P12 + Cume EstimateBAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 4 Next Steps Dioxin is not a pollution prevention issue that significantly a ffects wastewater treatment. To allocate BAPPG’s budget on highe r-priority pollution prevention issues, BAPPG will not be funding a dioxin program during fiscal year 2016/2017. Monitori ng at individual treatment plants will continue and funding a dioxin campaign will be reas sessed if results indicate additional sources of the pollutant.

Materials

Poster from event at Westfield Alternative Gift Wrap station



### 3. POLLUTANT: FATS, OILS AND GREASE (FOG)

Pollutant Description FOG is a top priority due to the associated regulatory and fina ncial impacts to member agencies. FOG is a major problem for sewer systems, causing sewer back-up s, sewer overflows onto streets, and foul sewer odors. I n addition, cities can spend mi llions of dollars a year in infrastructure improvements and responding to grease-related se wer blockages.

Key Messages

1. Don’t pour grease down the drai n – collect and recycle used coo king oil

Project Description Timeline Budget

Spanish Holiday

Outreach Through Univision Hispani c Radio (KSOL 98.9 FM, KSQL 99.1 FM and KBRG 100.3 FM), BAPPG promoted messages of prope r grease disposal to the South Bay, East Bay and North Bay. Outreach

included:

 PSA and collateral dist ribution at events

 Educational flyers

 Online digital banner for audio streaming spots

 Baywise.org promotion November –

December

2015 $8,000BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 5 Results

 60 weekly spots

 180 total campaign spots

Project Description Timeline Budget

Food Truck

Regional

Outreach O’Rorke is developing a fl yer designed to educate food truck owners and ope rators about proper Fats, Oils and Grease disposal and storage practices. November

– Present $3,500

Results Ongoing project

Next Steps In addition to continuing BAPPG’s FOG campaign with Univision, BAPPG plans to host a joint

BAPPG / BACWA Pretreatment Comm ittee meeting to present on mobi le food trucks and discuss opportunities surrounding regional best management prac tice (BMP) and collateral development.



### 4. POLLUTANT: MERCURY AND SILVER

Pollutant Description Outreach regarding best managemen t practices for dental amalgam and silver fixer waste is essential to ensure member agenc ies continue to meet regulatory standards and prevent pollution of receiving waters.

Key Messages

1. Dental amalgam and silver fixer wastes are hazardous and shall not be disposed in dental

office sinks.

2. Incorporate BMPs for dental amalgam, silver fixer, and other ha zardous wastes within a

dental office.

3. The mandated use of BMPs and amalgam separators has significant ly decreased the mercury loads into the sewer.

Project Description Timeline Budget

Dental Assistant/ Hygienist

Outreach Stephanie Hughes served as a guest speaker in dental assistant / hygienist classes in local colleges throughout the Bay Area. Calendar

Year 2015 $5,000BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 6 Results

Reached a total of 297 students and instructors. The 2015 colle ge site visits:

 Foothill College, Los Altos (two classes)

 Mt Diablo Adult Ed, Concord (four classes)

 San Jose City College (two classes)

 Santa Rosa Jr. College (one class)

 Carrington College, Ple asanton (two classes)

 San Francisco City College (one class)

 College of Marin, Novato (one class)

Next Steps Continue to provide the guest spe aker to local colleges. The in structors have come to rely on these annual visits and have incorporated BAPPG’s program into their instructional calendar. Further, this is a very relevant audience for other messages, s uch as wipes, microbeads, and

triclosan.



### 5. POLLUTANT: NUTRIENTS

Pollutant Description While San Francisco Bay is a nutrient-enriched estuary, the Bay has not yet been significantly adversely impacted. However, recent evidence is showing the Bay ’s resiliency to adverse nutrient impacts (e.g., toxic alg ae blooms) is decreasing. A re gional nutrients watershed permit came into effect on July 1, 2014, req uiring dischargers to seek nutrient reduction strategies.

Key Messages BAPPG is currently evaluating pos sible source reduction message s and audiences.

Project Description Timeline Budget

Nutrient Source

Reduction Strategies Reviewed source reduction programs as well as “disruptive innovative” wastewater treatment technologies. January –

June 2015 $1,100

Results In December 2014, Stephanie Hughes provided a draft memorandum to the BAPPG project managers regarding source reductio n activities in other jurisdi ctions. Following t hat report, the project managers and consultant discussed various innovative (r ather than conventional) wastewater technologies. Stephani e then evaluated WERF-sponsore d “disruptive innovation technologies” and peer-reviewed doc uments that describe opportu nities to enhance the cyclical reuse of nutrients, as opposed t o the linear system currently i n-place. Stephanie submitted a second memo to the project managers in June 2015 summarizing he r findings.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 7 Next Steps Next steps are yet to be determined and up for further discussi on. Options that Stephanie Hughes

identified in her June 2015 memorandum include:

Cross-Sector Communications

 Discuss atmospheric nitrogen sour ces with BAAQMD representative s, seeking to identify synergies.

 Further consider the concept of the “urban metabolism” of nutri ents as a management guide.

 Reach out to interested parti es in energy and food sectors, ide ntifying pilot projects,

benefits and resources.

Public Outreach

 Consider collaborating with agenc ies in the Delta watersheds re garding the promotion of agricultural BMPs within and upstrea m of the Bay watershed (per the Pennsylvania example).

 Develop and prioritize urban audien ces and messages, incorporat ing near-term and longterm approaches. This could describe the general issue of nutri ent cycling and encourage composting (whether municipal, b ackyard or worm bins) while dis couraging the use of kitchen garbage disposals.

 For community leaders and upper ma nagement, consider developing higher-level and integrated educational messages , incorporating issues of greenh ouse gas emissions, the non-renewable and limited US phosphate resources, and the seemi ngly linear “urban metabolism” versus natural biogeochemical cycles.



### 6. POLLUTANT: PCBS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS DEMOLITION WASTE

Pollutant Description PCBs were components of external caulk and sealants prior to 19 80. The EPA has developed messages about proper identification and management during buil ding demolition and remodeling. BAPPG also identified a need to assemble informatio n about hazardous material identification and management prior to building demolition, bec ause the materials and regulations are numerous. Recent outreach efforts build on a br ochure and web site created by

BAPPG in 2012-2013.

Key Messages

1. Identify PCB and other hazardous materials prior to demolition.

2. Inspect buildings remodeled prio r to 1980 for PCB-containing ex terior caulk and

sealants.

3. During removal of PCBs and other hazardous materials, protectin g building residents and demolition staff and disposing of wastes according to state and federal disposal laws.

4. Utilize the BAPPG brochure and companion web site for more info rmation: www.baywise.org/demolition

. 5.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 8 Project Description Timeline Budget

PCB and

Demolition

Outreach Stephanie Hughes on-call to provide support of the web site and outreach opportunities. Calendar

Year 2015 $500

Results Stephanie Hughes reviewed the web site and updated outdated lin ks. Stephanie also attended a regional PCB TMDL / demolition s takeholder meeting in Oakland a nd gave a brief presentation

to ensure awareness of this online resource.

Next Steps Continue to educate building insp ectors and contractors about i dentifying and disposing PCBcontaining products. Develop outre ach messages targeting reside nts and homeowners. Reach out to the California State Licensing Board to request that they li nk their web site to the BAPPG web site. Continue to request that BAPPG members and local jurisdic tions link their inspection web

sites to the BAPPG web site.



### 7. POLLUTANT: PESTICIDES

Pollutant Description Improper indoor and outdoor application of pesticides can resul t in chemical runoff into the sewer systems and receiving waters, leading to lower pollutant removal efficiencies at treatment plants as well as aquatic ecosystem degradation.

Key Messages

1. Promote integrated pest managem ent and less-toxic products as a lternatives to pesticides

2. Fipronil – await better alternat ives prior to developing messag ing

Project Description Timeline Budget

Our Water Our World (OWOW) OWOW is a Bay Area-wide outreach program that promotes the use of less-toxic pest control methods and products in the home and garden through local retailers. Calendar

Year 2015 $10,000

Results

 Coordinated program implementa tion with major chains Home Depot , Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH), and Ace Hardware National.

 Printed an inventory of the follo wing: fact sheets, shelf tags, and Home Depot-specific pocket guide, from which particip ating agencies could purchase materials.

 Updated less-toxic Product List s: general plus OSH and Home Dep ot-specific lists/labels.

 Maintained Our Water, Our World website.

 Provided Ask-the-Expert servic e—which provides 24-hour turnarou nd on answers to pest management questions.

 Provided and staffed an exhibitor booth at the NorCal trade sho w, San Mateo (FebruaryBAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 9 2015)

 Provided on-call assistance (e .g., display set-up, training, IP M materials review) to specific stores (e.g., OSH, Home Depots).

 Provided print and web a dvertising – Chinook Coupon Book.

 Worked with Chinook Book to make changes to the mobile applicat ion (app) – OWOW mobile app.

 Continued to work with select loca l agencies and with Home Depo t to implement, a pilot enhanced program in 10 Home Depots in the greater Bay Area and Sacramento. The enhanced program was implemented primarily by the IPM Advocates

.

 Developed and conducted advanced reg ional trainings for Home De pot.

 Advocates trained 1,000 store employees and reached 4,300 custo mers at Our Water, Our

World store events in 2015.

Materials

Chinook Book mobile ads

Project Description Timeline Budget

Regulatory Tracking and

Communications Identify pesticide regulat ory actions at federal

and state level. Communi cate with regulatory to

ensure that wastewater i ssues are included in the analyses. Calendar

Year 2015 $10,000

Results

 Coordinated with BAPPG to clari fy the list of highest prioritie s pesticides for BACWA’s attention. Create a pesticides watch list for tracking purpose s.

 Provided a “crystal ball” schedul e of anticipated pesticide reg ulatory activities on these pesticides. Prepared a detaile d tracking spread sheet for EPA a ctivities, with docket numbers and EPA contact emails, and a near-t erm priorities tracking sum mary, updated monthly or bimonthly.

 Tracked pesticide-related regulat ory activities by EPA and DPR and new scientific information that have significan t potential to a ffect BACWA mem ber agencies. Notified BAPPG of such items as they ari se. On the basis of regulatory d ocuments, relevant scientific information, and the regulatory c ontext, made recommendations r egarding regulatory participation or other follow-up steps on multiple EPA and DPR actions relating to pesticides including nanosilver, diquat dibrom ide, copper, pyrethroids, tr iclosan, imidacloprid, and fipronil. When so directed, provi ded key points for comments a nd reviewed draft comment letters by BACWA and its allies.

 Based on existing open lines of co mmunication with pesticide re gulators, pesticideBAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 10 manufacturers, and scientists r esearching pesticides in wastewa ter, notified BAPPG of important information obtaine d through these contacts.

 Met with and encouraged DPR to pu rsue wastewater special studie s. Provided DPR with scientific information to support development of pesticide sour ce identificati on study work plans for an upcoming DPR “Sewe rshed” study (with Palo Alto) an d currently ongoing DPR dog washing study (to estimate fipronil discharges from washing fipronil-treated pets).

 Provided technical support for BAC WA’s coordination with NACWA on EPA pesticides regulatory activities and TS CA reform legislation.

 Evaluated outcomes of BACWA in put to EPA and DPR and briefed BA PPG/BACWA pesticides leads on these outcome s to assess effectiveness of B ACWA’s work

 Gave briefing to BAPPG (April 2015) on pesticides in wastewater , including watch list, current scientific and regulat ory activities, evaluation of out comes of BACWA’s regulatory engagement, regulatory outlook f or next few years, and recommen ded next steps

 Submitted a letter to the EPA regarding diquat dibromide, a pes ticide used for root control in collection systems that may impact activated sludge systems.

 Submitted a letter to the Department of Pesticide Regulation on copper fabric treatment product registration applications

Next Steps BAPPG plans to continue funding O WOW to conduct regional IMP an d less-toxic product

outreach and education. BAPPG w ill continue working with Dr. Ke lly Moran to track opportunities to comment on pestic ide registration and evaluati on activities by US EPA and the California Department of Pestic ide Regulation, with considerati on of water quality impacts via the POTW pathway.



### 8. POLLUTANT: PHARMACEUTICALS

Pollutant Description

Pharmaceuticals can enter water resources and the San Francisco Bay through improper disposal into wastewater streams (e.g., flushing pharmaceuticals down th e toilet). Pharmaceuticals have endocrine disrupting properties , and unintended exposure of pha rmaceuticals to aquatic life and humans can lead to adverse health effects. Outreach surrounding safe disposal of pharmaceuticals is essential to ensure member agencies meet reg ulatory standards and prevent pollution of receiving waters. There is potential to combine wa ter quality messaging with broader messaging surrounding health and safety to target wider audiences while still ensuring that safe disposal i s the key take-away.

Key Messages

1. No Drugs Down the Drain

2. Don’t Rush to Flush – Meds in the Bin, We All Win!

3. Prevent Accidental Poisoning, D rug Abuse and Water Pollution by disposing medicines properly.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 11 Project Description Timeline Budget

Hospice

Outreach Presented to hospice professionals regarding pharmaceutical disposal. In 2012, BAPPG presentation received accreditation from the Board of Registered Nursing, providing an opportunity to reach out t o hospice professionals. Two-year accreditation was renewed in 2014. Calendar

Year 2015 $1,000

Dental Assistant/ Hygienist

Outreach Insights about proper pharmaceutical disposal included as part of dent al waste discussion. Calendar

Year 2015 N/A*

* Included above with mercury

Results 17 hospice and wastewater profession als participated in a Janua ry 2015 webinar funded by BAPPG and Sac Regional. Stephani e Hughes conducted the one-hour state-wide training event through the California Hospice a nd Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA); this was the second and final webinar in a set of via CHAPCA. In addition, 272 dent al students and instructors were

reached.

Next Steps Continue reaching out to hospice professionals

. BAPPG will consider reaching out to other health care professionals or perhaps to nursing or physician-as sistant training programs (parallel to our dental outreach program). Coordinate and build upon mes saging associated with pharmacy medicine collection bin pl acement projects in member a gency areas. BAPPG will also investigate options for printi ng proper disposal messaging on p rivacy bags distributed at pharmacies throughout the region.



### 9. POLLUTANT: TRICLOSAN

Pollutant Description Triclosan is found in various consumer products and has been li nked to a range of adverse health and environmental effects. Thoug h currently an unregulated poll utant, member agencies recognize that effective triclosa n outreach may help residents recognize other constituents of emerging concern such as microbeads, and be more accepting to r egulatory changes.

Key Messages

1. Targeted towards mothers and primary household purchasers

Project Description Timeline Budget Hospice Outreach

and Dental

Assistant / Hygienist Outreach Stephanie Hughes includes insights on triclosan during pharmaceutical and dental waste disposal discussions. Calendar

Year 2015 N/A*

* Included above with mercury and pharmaceuticalsBAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 12 Results

 Reached 17 hospice professionals (same audience reached as “pha rmaceuticals” results above)

 Reached 297 dental trainees and ins tructors (same audience reac hed as “pharmaceuticals” results above)

Project Description Timeline Budget

Personal Care

Product Outreach O’Rorke developed and ran Facebook online ads

to educate residents abou t the negative impacts

of Triclosan. Calendar

Year 2015 $3,000

Results These results show the campaign performed above average conside ring typical CTR’s for Facebook Ads are generally well below 1%.

 514,118 impressions

 7,372 clicks

 1.4% CTR (click through rate)

Project Description Timeline Budget

Triclosan

collateral development O’Rorke developed a flyer in June 2015 with information for residents on the harmful impacts

of Triclosan. Calendar

Year 2015 $1,500

Results The flyer source files were made available to BAPPG to share wi th all member agencies.

Next Steps BAPPG will develop social mark eting campaign and tailored colla teral targeting outreach toward specific products and consumer groups.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 13 Materials

Triclosan Flyer



### 10. POLLUTANT: TRASH AND WIPES

Pollutant Description Trash is a top priority due to the improper disposal of non-wov en wipes and other non-flushable trash items such as hair, ear swa bs and all products claiming t o be biodegradable or flushable. Most consumer wipes products (labeled flushable or not) take mu ch more time to disperse in water than toilet paper, which h as caused issues for many POTWs in the Bay Area, including damage to pumping station equipment, grinders and other infrast ructure, stoppages, and sanitary sewer overflows. Wipes and other nondispersibles are also a sa fety issue for pump station employees that have suffered needle sticks from “deragging” pum ps clogged with wipes.BAPPG Committee Report 1/11/2016 14 Key Messages

1. Wipes Clog Pipes!

2. Toilets Aren’t Trashcans

Project Description Timeline Budget

Hospice Outreach As part of the pharma disposal discussion, speaker includes insights about “flushable” wipes. Calendar

Year 2015 N/A*

Dental Assistant/ Hygienist

Outreach As part of the dental waste discussion, speaker includes insights about microbeads and “flushable” wipes. This audience is very receptive to all BAPPG messages. More than 95% female, they are typically the primary purchaser for their families, and as medical professionals, are concerned about health and water quality. Calendar

Year 2015 N/A**

*Included above with pharmaceuticals **Included above with mercury

Results

 Reached 17 hospice professionals (same audience reached as “pha rmaceutical” results above)

 Reached 297 dental trainees and ins tructors (same audience reac hed as “pharmaceutical” results above)

Project Description Timeline Budget

Toilet’s Aren’t

Trashcans O’Rorke will develop and submit articles to parenting magazines and develop a poster on multi-pollutants for parents groups. December

2015 –

Present $3,000

Results

 Media list of parenti ng publications create d for article submis sion

 Poster and articles to be finalized in early 2016

Next Steps BAPPG will continue to include messages about trash and wipes w hen meeting with medical, hospice, and dental professionals and trainees. BAPPG will als o distribute collateral during professional presentations and regional outreach events and con tinue outreach campaigns in conjunction with National P2 W eek to continue stressing “Wipes Clog Pipes!” message.

NEXT REPORT TO BE DELIVERED: Mid-July 2016