California Code of Regulations › Title 23 - Waters › Division 4 - Regional Water Quality Control Boards › Chapter 1 - Water Quality Control Plans, Policies, and Guidelines › Article 8 - Santa Ana Region › Section 3979.7 - Revisions to Recreational Standards for Inland Fresh Surface Waters in the Santa Ana Region

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
On June 15, 2012, the Regional Water Quality Control Board,
					 Santa Ana Region (Santa Ana Water Board) adopted Resolution No. R8-2012-0001,
					 amending the Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana Region (Basin Plan).
					 The State Water Resources Control Board approved the amendments under
					 Resolution No. R8-2014-0005 on January 21, 2014.
The amendments with regulatory significance are:
1. The deletion of Basin Plan fecal coliform
				  objectives for inland fresh waters designated REC1 (water contact recreation)
				  and REC2 (non-contact water recreation) and replacement of those objectives
				  with a geometric mean
E. coli
objective.
2. The addition of a narrative pathogen
				  objective requiring that waste discharges not cause or contribute to excessive
				  risk of illness from human pathogens.
3. The establishment of tiers of
				  REC1-designated inland fresh surface waters based on the intensity of REC1 use
				  in each of those waters and identification of single sample maximum
E.
				  coli
values that apply to each tier. These single sample maximum
				  values are to be used as an alternative method for assessing probable
				  compliance with the geometric mean
E. coli
objective for REC1
				  when insufficient data are available to calculate the geometric mean. The
				  single sample maximum values are intended to be used principally for
				  notification and posting purposes regarding the safety of recreational use of
				  surface waters. The values are also intended to be used as a trigger for
				  further investigation of sources contributing to high bacteria indicator
				  densities.
4. The establishment of
				  criteria for the temporary suspension of bacteria objectives and recreational
				  uses for inland surface waters under certain flow conditions.
5. The de-designation of REC1 and, in some
				  cases, REC2 beneficial uses for specific waters (specific portions of the
				  Santa-Ana Delhi Channel, Greenville-Banning Channel, Temescal Creek and
				  Cucamonga Creek). These changes in REC1/REC2 designations will be reviewed at
				  least once every three years to confirm their propriety. Where changed
				  conditions warrant it, future amendment of the Basin Plan will be recommended
				  to re-designate REC1 and/or REC2 uses.
6. The establishment of numeric bacteria
				  antidegradation targets for waters designated REC2-only. These targets will be
				  used to assess bacteria quality conditions over time and to trigger
				  investigation and corrective actions where necessary.
7. Incorporation of an implementation plan
				  that: includes a requirement to develop and implement an approved monitoring
				  plan to assess compliance with the added
E. coli
objectives;
				  identifies the criteria for suspension of recreational standards (objectives
				  and uses) under certain flow conditions; describes the application of the
				  single sample maximum
E. coli
values; describes implementation
				  of the antidegradation targets for REC2-only freshwaters; discusses
				  controllable and uncontrollable sources of bacteria inputs to surface waters,
				  which may affect the need for and nature of control actions required by the
				  Regional Board.
8. Deletion of the
				  fecal coliform bacteria quality objective for waters designated MUN (municipal
				  and domestic supply beneficial use).
9. Addition of waters not currently listed in
				  the Basin Plan and designation of beneficial uses for those waters.
These changes to the Basin Plan may or will affect
					 requirements included in waste discharge requirements and the need for and
					 nature of corrective actions, including those specified in investigation or
					 enforcement orders issued to dischargers by the Santa Ana Regional Board, in
					 order to assure compliance with bacteria water quality objectives and
					 protection of beneficial uses. Monitoring pursuant to the amendments that is
					 conducted by the Santa Ana Regional Board and/or by dischargers as required by
					 the Santa Ana Regional Board may provide evidence of water quality standards
					 impairment, requiring the subsequent development and implementation of Total
					 Maximum Daily Loads. The suspension of recreation standards under specified
					 flow conditions and changes in REC1 and REC2 designations in certain inland
					 fresh surface waters will allow focused implementation of bacteria control
					 measures by dischargers when and where necessary to meet water quality
					 standards.
1. New
					 section summarizing amendments to basin plan filed 7-2-2014; amendments
					 approved by State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2014-0005 on
					 1-21-2014; amendments approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section
					 11353 on
					 7-2-2014 (Register 2014, No. 27).