California Code of Regulations › Title 23 - Waters › Division 4 - Regional Water Quality Control Boards › Chapter 1 - Water Quality Control Plans, Policies, and Guidelines › Article 6 - Lahontan Region › Section 3959.7 - Remove Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) Beneficial Use Designation from Certain Ground Waters Beneath Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region
					 (Lahontan Water Board) adopted Resolution No. R6V-2015-0005 on February 11,
					 2015, amending the
Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan
					 Region
(Basin Plan). The State Water Resources Control Board approved
					 the amendment under Resolution No. 2015-0063 on October 7, 2015.
Certain ground waters beneath Naval Air Weapons Station
					 China Lake (NAWS China Lake) are not suitable for municipal or domestic (MUN)
					 uses, including drinking, because they contain naturally high concentrations of
					 total dissolved solids (TDS), arsenic and other inorganic compounds. The
					 primary reason for proposing removal of the MUN beneficial use at this time is
					 in response to a request by the Navy to aid in its groundwater remediation
					 efforts at NAWS China Lake.
The ground waters proposed for de-designation are those
					 located beneath the Salt Wells Valley and those within the shallow groundwater
					 in the eastern Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin. Both of these areas are
					 located entirely within the boundaries of the NAWS China Lake. No changes are
					 proposed to the other designated beneficial uses for ground waters of the Salt
					 Wells Valley and Indian Wells Valley basins.
In 1989, the Water Board amended its 1975 Basin Plans to
					 designate MUN uses for almost all surface and ground waters in the Lahontan
					 Region, including inland saline lakes and geothermal springs. The rationale for
					 this action was that, due to the scarcity of water supplies in much of the
					 region, it might be feasible and desirable to treat and use even poor quality
					 waters in the future. The Water Board also lacked the staff resources and water
					 quality data necessary to assess all water bodies in the Lahontan Region on a
					 case-by-case basis for their suitability as drinking water sources.
The Navy has conducted multiple studies of the NAWS China
					 Lake including hydrogeological studies, geochemistry of the groundwater, and a
					 water treatability analysis. A summary of the pertinent technical assessments
					 are included in the Staff Report in Enclosure 2. Over several years, Water
					 Board staff has participated in the Navy's studies by reviewing plans and
					 reports, consulting with Navy's consultants and groundwater management agencies
					 in the Ridgecrest area, and requesting information from the Navy specific to
					 de-designation criteria.
Water Board staff reviewed and evaluated the information
					 provided and completed its own analysis including consideration of
					 alternatives. Based on the various hydrogeological characterizations, water
					 treatability analyses, and community input, Water Board staff concludes the
					 information is sufficient and that MUN use de-designation is
					 appropriate.
1. New
					 section summarizing amendments to Lahontan Region's Water Quality Control Plan
					 (Basin Plan) filed 1-14-2016; amendments approved by State Water Resources
					 Control Board Resolution No. 2015-0063 on 10-7-2015; amendments approved by OAL
					 pursuant to Government Code section
					 11353 on
					 1-14-2016 (Register 2016, No. 3).