HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - NPDES STORM WATER PERMIT (2)AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
City Manager Approv
Item to be presented by:
Anthony J. Nisich
T
DATE: March. 8, 1994
SUBJECT: NPDES STORM WATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE STATUS
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
BACKGROUND
This item Is a brief report to Council on the status of the City's NPDES permit compliance and the
storm water utility feasibility study.
As the Council Is aware, the City is required to comply with the terms of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for storm water. This permit was Issued on
January 18, 1990 to all cities in the Los Angeles basin by the California Regional Water Quality
Board (CRWQCB) as permit No. LA 0061654.
Santa Clarita is in Phase III of the NPDES permit compliance schedule. Our compliance obligations
began In October 1993, and all deadlines to date have been complied with. Over the next three
years, we will be required to implement a number of additional actions to reduce pollutants
discharged from our storm water system, even though much of the actual storm water facilities are
owned by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD).
Our next deadline under the NPDES permit is March 31, 1994. By this time, we must submit our
proposed 1994-1995 compliance measures to the CRWQCB. This proposal will outline how we plan
to implement our early action best management practices (BMP's). Some of these early action
BMP's include:
Increased street sweeping.
Increased maintenance of catch basins and pipelines.
Catch basin stenciling to prevent illicit dumping of pollutants.
Increased trash pick up.
Increased household and commercial hazardous material pick up.
Begin a public education program to reduce activities that lead to pollutants entering the storm
drainage system.
Begin an inspection program for commercial and Industrial properties to prevent pollutants from
entering the storm water system.
Increase our enforcement of the erosion and grading ordinance for new construction.
In addition, we are in need of a Comprehensive Storrs Drainage Master Plan for next year's NPDES
compliance. The Master Plan will identify our actual drainage system, the outfalls to the river and
potential sources of pollutants.
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NPDES STORM WATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE STATUS
February 22, 1994 - Page 2
In June of 1993, the Council authorized a study of NPDES compliance measures and costs as part
of our compliance effort. The study is to analyze the measures required for compliance and the
probable costs of complying with the NPDES permit requirements. The study Is being conducted
by the firm of Kato & Warren, Inc., who are nationally recognized experts in urban storm water
management and funding. This study is nearing completion, and we want to advise the Council of
some of the findings at this time.
STUDY FINDINGS
The Initial findings Indicate a need for drainage system mapping and a Comprehensive Storm
Drainage Master Plan. These needs are also objectives of the General Plan and the Strategic Plan.
The City must also implement or upgrade City activities such as street sweeping and drainage
system maintenance, NPDES reporting, monitoring, recycling and public education. This is
estimated to require additional general fund expeditures of approximately $2,200,000 In each of the
next three fiscal years. This unfunded Federal mandate will require the reduction in existing
services or new revenue sources in order to achieve full compliance and avoid potential fines and
court costs. In addition to the EPA and the CRWQCB, the National Resource Defense Council and
the Heal the Bay Organization are actively pursuing legal challenges to public agencies that fail to
take the required actions to fully comply with the NPDES permit.
The consultants are completing their study of compliance measures and feasibility. When their
findings and recommendations are available, we will schedule a presentation or work shop session
with the Council
Read and file pending completion of the study.
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