Navigating the Ocean Plan s Desalination Amendment

Transcription

1 Navigating the Ocean Plan s Desalination Amendment Kim Tenggardjaja, Ph.D. Statewide Policies and Planning Unit Division of Water Quality State Water Resources Control Board

2 Presentation Overview Background on Desalination Amendment to the Ocean Plan Components of the Desalination Amendment Implementation Process Challenges in Implementation

3 State and Regional Water Boards State Water Board Develop statewide plans, policies, and general orders Consultation Regional Water Boards Implementation Issue permits Enroll dischargers in general orders Develop water quality objectives and basin plan amendments

4 California Ocean Plan California s water quality control plan for ocean waters Protects beneficial uses Establishes water quality objectives Implements state law governing areas where ocean discharges are prohibited Implemented through NPDES permits issued by the regional water quality control boards Desalination Amendment to Ocean Plan was adopted May 6, 2015 and has been effective since January 28, 2016

5 Applicability and General Provisions Applies to all desalination facilities using seawater, including pilot facilities Section of Desalination Amendment Facility type General (b) Salinity limit Monitoring Existing X Doesn t apply X X New X X X X Expanded X X X X Special Provisions Operated by federal agency X Doesn t apply X X Intake <0.1 MGD, portable, operated by government agency Short-term water supply during state of emergency X Doesn t apply May apply for a temporary waiver

6 Water Code (b) For each new or expanded coastal powerplant or other industrial installation using seawater for cooling, heating, or industrial processing, the best available site, design, technology, and mitigation measures feasible shall be used to minimize the intake and mortality of all forms of marine life. Photo: C. T. Bui

7 Water Code (b) Determinations Design Technology Site Best feasible combination to minimize intake and mortality of all forms of marine life Mitigation measures

8 Technology Considerations Intake Subsurface intakes are required, unless infeasible Evaluate combination of surface and subsurface intakes Surface intakes 1.0 mm slot-sized screen Through-screen velocity of 0.5 ft/s Discharge Commingling brine with wastewater is required If commingling isn t available, multiport diffusers are next best Photo: Kim Tenggardjaja Intake Screens, Inc.

9 Implementation Process Project applicant initiates conversations with Water Board staff early on Project applicant submits Report of Waste Discharge and request for Water Code (b) determination to regional water board as early as practicable

10 Process for Water Code (b) Determinations Water Boards staff initiates formal interagency consultation process Water Boards staff conducts initial review to determine if information is sufficient

11 Process for Water Code (b) Determinations Water Boards staff evaluates feasible project alternatives based on analysis of the best available site, design, technology, and mitigation measures Regional Water Board staff makes recommendation for (b) determination to Regional Water Board (usually concurrent with NPDES permit process)

12 Challenges in Implementation More research needed Shearing-related mortality Complexity of analyses and length of implementation varies by project Projects not using preferred technology take significantly longer to permit

13 Challenges in Implementation Non-preferred technology: challenges Detailed info on sites and potential marine life mortality Investigate range of sites for subsurface and surface intakes ETM/APF analyses for sites considered for surface intakes Third party review more likely More mitigation required Longer process more material for review Preferred technology: advantages Fewer studies required If subsurface is feasible, then that s the best site Less (or possibly no) mitigation required Expedited process

14 Take-Home Points Communicate early with Water Boards staff Less analysis required for projects using preferred technology Optimize design elements (e.g., multiport diffuser) to reduce intake and mortality

15 Kim Tenggardjaja, Ph.D. (916) Daniel Ellis, M.S. (916) Statewide Policies and Planning Unit Division of Water Quality, State Water Board