ITEM 12: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN TO THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA FOR THE DRY WEATHER RUNOFF RECLAMATION FACILITY (LOAN NO. C-06-6020-110)

DISCUSSION: The City of Santa Monica (City) has applied for a $5 million SRF Loan for the Dry Weather Runoff Reclamation Facility (Project). The Project will treat urban runoff from mostly non-storm events that flow into Santa Monica Bay. Urban runoff will be pumped into the Project from the Pico-Kenter and Pier storm drain pump stations. The treated effluent will be reclaimed when possible, thus conserving potable water supply and eliminating the discharge of pollutants to Santa Monica Bay.

Non-storm flows come primarily from over-irrigation and urban activities, such as car washing, illegal dumping, foundation drainage and dewatering, water main and sewer main breaks, and fire hydrant testing. The Project will also treat some storm water combined with the non-storm flows, provided the combined flows do not exceed 750,000 gallons per day (gpd). If flows exceed 750,000 gpd, they will be bypassed into the storm drain and discharged into Santa Monica Bay. The facility will be designed to treat an average of 500,000 gpd.

The Project is considered a best management practice in the City's Municipal Storm Water Permit. The Project will treat raw flows containing high levels of bacteria, oil and grease, and floatable trash. The treatment will include microfiltration and an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system. The Project will not treat the flows to reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). However, UV disinfection was selected over chlorination in order to avoid adding TDS to the treated water.

Depending on the quality of the treated water, it may be reused for landscape irrigation and toilet and urinal flushing. If the TDS is less than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l), the treated water will be sold. If the TDS is between 1,000 and 1,500 mg/l, the treated water will be diluted with potable water prior to sale to customers. If the TDS is greater than 1,500 mg/l, the water will be bypassed into the sewer system and discharged into Santa Monica Bay.

The City completed a Negative Declaration to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act in February 1993.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approve an SRF loan for $5 million to the City for the Project?

FISCAL IMPACT: According to SWRCB Resolution No. 97-001 (Approval of a Staff Proposal to Better Manage the SRF Repayment Account), the SWRCB may approve preliminary loan commitments against the current FFY account and against 125 percent of future repayment funds based on scheduled loan dates.

The SRF account balances, anticipated repayment amounts, and project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in May 1998 are as follows:

RWQCB IMPACT: Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB approve a $5 million SRF loan to the City for the Project. This approval should be contingent upon the City entering into a loan contract with the SWRCB and beginning construction by May 1999.

WHEREAS:

1. The City of Santa Monica (City) has requested an SRF loan of $5 million for the Dry Weather Runoff Reclamation Facility (Project).

2. The Project will reduce the discharge of pollutants from urban runoff into Santa Monica Bay and provide water reclamation and conservation.

3. The City has completed a Negative Declaration to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act in February 1993.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approves an SRF loan of $5 million to the City for the Project. This approval is contingent upon the City entering into a loan agreement with the SWRCB and beginning construction by May 1999.

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the SWRCB, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on May 27, 1998.

_____________________________

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board