HomeMy WebLinkAbout0229.094.,;'
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Apt'il 14, 1994
'I'!IE IICNORAllLll ClTY COUNCIl.
Palo Alto. Califol"llia
v"c",hel:S of the C'o\mcil:
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This -is all into1:1'f,ational stafE r~port to brief Coullcil on the
rec:~nt 1 y published ~~t~~JL ___ ~_~y ____ J:l.;:;rL No action by Council is
l'eCJuired.
In }.'cspollse to strict disch,uge requirements imposed on the Palo
All:o Regional Wate:r: Qualit:y Control Plant (RI"'QCP). tbe RWQCP has
developed a polhltion pl"evention program. For the tirst time, the
RIYQCP nas prepared a compL-eht"nsive plan ""hich integrates all of its
wate .. · p.ollutlon pl"evention activities. This is being done in order
to cO!nv1}' with Regional Wat.er Qual ity Control Board requirements to
dQ<:ument pl"bgl:am activities and plans. While air qualit-y,
tr~lnaportation, -and othel:.-envin:mmental plans axe commonly prepared
by various -governrf.enta~ agencies, staff is unaware .of any ether
'such plan pl'f~pared fQr the puxpose of "'later quality protection at
any level .of government.
The RWQCP~s 'p,ollution prevention plan. called the £J&iHt Bay Plan,
describes the source )."eduction activities, water and wastewater
ut i 1 ity actions, and sterm'<\'ater management prcgrams that the City
is undertaking tc redttce the discharge of pollut.ants tc San
Ft"ancisco Bay. 'I'he Clean £}"9i-y~Bi'lJl alsc describes the regulatcl:Y
l'equirernent:O and environmental setting that led the City t.o
in".plement its \\'atel" polltltion prevent ien progl.-am, Appendix A
contains fact sheets .oil majol." RHQCP programs, such as the Clean Bay
BusineGs Program and the photoprocessing/x-ray silver Ecurce
reduction program.
CMR:~29'94 . 1 -
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Copies of the ~J .. e.~~i!Y __ l!lf\Jl have been PloovideQo O:mneil. Oth8rs
may obtain a. copy of the Plan (or the plan sllmmary) by call ing the
RNQCP at (415) 329-2598.
Respectfully 6ubmit:ted j
(])~ ()}rrf.-t-t"o
PHILIP BOBEI,
Bnvironmental Compl iOllce Divisiau
G1,ENN S. ROBERTS
DirectOl." of Public Hodes
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B8R lARD ~1.)!2.
Assistant City l-la:nage!"
Attachrr.ent: (Counc il only} CleCln Ba~~ Plan
CMR:229:94 -2-
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-CLEAN 13A Y PLAN
1994
Operated by the City of Palo Alto
for the communities of East Palo Alto,
Los Altos, Los Altos liills, Mountain View,
Palo Alto, and Stanford
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Regional Wale.': ~uality Control Plant
CLEAN BAY PLAN
1994
Operated by the City of Palo Alto
for the communities of East Palo Alto,
Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View,
Palo Alto, and Stanford
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AllOUT TIlE R\~
The Palo Allo Resional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) trC<lts domestic and industriRl
"rut<water from northern Santa Clara County and one city in San Mateo County.
Approximately 200,000 poopl. live in the RWQCP service ar"", which includes East Palo
AlIo, I.e, Altos, I.es Alios Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Stanford University. Of the
waslevtaler flow 10 the RWQCP, about 60 percent is from re.stdences, 10 percent from
indullries and 30 pereent from commercial businesses and inslitutions, In 1993, the plant
treated an average of 24.4 million gallons per day of wastewater, well below its permitte<l
capacity of 39 million gallons per day (dry weather flol'l),
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INTRODUCTION
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TIlis 1$ a ,ummary of tho Polo Alto Regional WaW QualiLY Control PI.nt (RWQCP) 1994
Clean Say Plan. The rlan was Pl<l"",d in r<spO!1se 10 Ih. RWQCP', slricl discharge permit
oondlllon$, whld. requite Palo Alto 10 explore all feasible melhods o[reducing ilS <;opper
discllarg~ to San Frandsco Say, Tile RWQCp permil .Iso requires that substantial effort; be
made 10 roouoe dischm;<! of Olhcr mews, panicularly nie'el. The Cle"" Say Plan is inlCl1ded
10 p!O~ide 'a brier, yec comprthensh'c Pr('!-efll.ltton of (he activities in undcffi'ay 10 redue.e
RWQCP melals disch.rge,. In .ddition, the PI.n OlJllinu melals discharge ",urces that Ihc
RWQCP may~.k to 1\"dtJC'.t in the future,.ff preliminary investigation indicate.s that the
sou(ce·s are !fgoific\nl etloogh to meril ~ di~hM~e roouctioo program and that they c.an be
rontrolled tn a ft.,1\ible, ... -o"t·e-f'h,,<tht, i1n~ fl1\,jroomcnlally beMficial manner.
The plan addre-lses ~.h $el\'tr and s,tofm dr;lin di~h&rgcJ. from resid'Cftce.s, industry.
'I.:.ommerciaJ bUSfOC,!ost-s, go\"cmmcnl atii~·i!iC"-s. ~r.d water supply sourc.es, In addition, ~he plan
indudes fIclions that may rtsull in aller.Hion or RWQCP ar.d ~lOfm dr-~jf'i system operations.
Plan dcmcfils focus on re4vclioH of ooppcr .and nickd dis.cl'1argcs; however, many planned
aCli\'itks are.anticipalcd 10 redu('(': discharEcs (If other lo~;ic polhH.an!S, particularly metals, oil,
and solvents. The majorit), or pl.\nnoo activilies in\'ol'\re pollution pre\'enlion beX:"UJSC [hi'i-,
approo.d~ is g<"oerally oost-(,(fo:tl\'C' 3M en\'tronmC'rually beileficial.
Cop~es of the full Clean Sa)' Plan ar!! a\'J.ilable from the P~10 Aho Regional Water Qualit)'
Control Planl, 2501 Em\>'r<¢dero Way, Palo Alto, CaliFornia, 94303, (41~) 329·2598. F.CI
shc('-ts and maleriaJs relaling to indiVidual programs described in thc. summary are also
available. Commenl~ and quC'.~lioos rtgaTding Ihe p]il.1l should ~ directed to KeUy D. Moran,
Ph. D., at lho abo\"e ItlcpOofK: number.
April I, L99-1
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C~rl 8IIy Plan SvmlTl.t 1')' 2 April I, 19'94
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COPPER AND NICKEL, POI.UrrANTS OF GREATEST CONCERN
Sludies by the RIVQCP have led RWQCP pollution prevention programs 10 focus effons on
IWO pollutants: copper and nickel. Copper and nickel enler Ihe RWQCP frorn many sources.
including re.sidences J commercial busine~s, industrial operalions., infiltralion and inflow (III)
of ground and surface waler
into (he sewer system,' and
corrosion' of drinking water
piping in buildings (S<C
Figures I and 2). Bolh
pollutants are polenlially
conlrollab1c through pollulion
prevention (source control)
methods, and discharges of
both have exceeded current
discharge permil effluent
limitations (4.9 micrograms
per liler for copper and 8.3
micIOgrams per Ii ter for
nickel) during 1993.
Over the 1"113 )'ears. Ihe
RIVQCP topper a"d nickel
discharge has d«linoo
substantiaJly, as shown in
Hgure 3 (on the nexl page).
These metals discharge
reductions resuH from acHons
taken by both the RWQCP and
dischargers. Industrial
dischargers regulatoo through
the RWQCP PlCtreatment
Program have substantially
red uced the amount of copper I
nickel, and other metats
delivered to the plant.
Changes in planl operations
Seplage (1 %)
Commercial (32 %)
Residential {Ii
Waler Supply (4%)
Corrosion (31 %)
----------~lgurc 1: Copper Sources -----_ .. -_. __ .
lnfiltralion/lnflow (12 %)
Industrial Wa"rSupply (12%)
Conro,i,m (9 %)
Septage (I %) Residential (19%)
I'igure 2: Nickel Sourc':-5
since 19S9·· for example, modified JiliN cleaning procedures .. have incrementally improved
the plant's ability to remove copper from wastewater. Since 19&9. RWQCP pollulion
prevenlion programs focus.ing on commercial and residential seclors have also ('ontribuled 10
discharge reduclions. None of these reduciions would have been po~~tble wilhoul the
cooperation of area businesses and residents. '
Clean Bay Ph., Surr.muy
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CU:AN llA Y PtA N
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1"be Clean R1.y Plan C'.{lilsis.ts. of Ihree types of programs: source reduclion strategies. water
and wa.s!ewaler ulility programs, and sto[mwa!er management programs. Source reduction
stF11ltcgie-5, the RWQCP starr r~us~ include programs airned at keeping pollutants from being
d"S<'harged ~o 5(.wel$ and sl()rm drains. W.ater and' w3'Slcwater utiHty programs include actions
being Ia~C" by the RWQCP .and other agenci •• that may reduc.., pollutant discharge to the Bay.
The stormwaltr lIlanag~ment programs.. which are being (onducled by all jurisdictions in the
. RWQCP 5e-l'lice Mea, are lnletlded to pre\'ent pollUlanl discharges to storm drains.
If any pari of. progr.m is <urr."tly being implemented, it has been descrihed below as a
"program in progrt...\s.· Programs c.attgorized as "under deve!opment U are planned 10 be
implemented in the ncar (:.lture. The Clean Bay Plan also includes a variety of activities that
rou[(1 lead 10 new pr(1g.l'ams, depe_nding on the outcome ofp!anned inillat inve.stigations.
PROGRAMS IN PROGRESS
His.tNic~lI)', \'e-hkle service facilities have. discharged polJutanls 10 both sewers and storm
drains. ~C1le RWQCP vehicle service fadtity regulatory progl'dm focusc-s on e.duc<ltion,
re.:ognition or romptian! facilities, a.nd Ihe implementation of an ordinance requiring
rompliance with. spt.">(ific praclicC'_s, The 350 facilities targeted by this program include aulD
. repair stlops, gasottne stations, nee! maintenance. facilities, commercial car washes, parts
dfailing and .repair facililies, arid autobody repafr sho)Js, Since 1992, program implementation
ha.s 1,wQh'e<j annual visilS for CJJucation and interaction wi!h facility operators to incre.ase
oompliancc rales, sHeng tncouragcmel1t to eliminate sewel discharges, enforcement to
c-limirl3tc Slorm drnjn discharges j permitting of facitities ellXling to continue disCharging to the
sewt"r, and dcsignatlon of top performers as Cltan Bay Businesses.
D1Jring 1993, rut f2.cililies were inspoctoo,.and those requiring permits were issued perm[ts, ]n
early 1994, a 5<1 of facilitie~ was de.<igna!od as CIWl Bay Businesses in arrord with 1993
inspections. In 1994, !.he RWQCP will wntinue annual inspections of all facilities (for both
edu("alionaJ and enrorcemeol purposes), dc-~ignation of some as Clean Bay Businesses, and will
implement permiUed facility dis.charge monitoring re.quirements.
In 1991 and 1992, major melitis dischargers in the RWQCP serviCe area were required to
prep.'\rc ~~·asIC minimi2alion studies, RWQCP staff and consultants reviewed the plans and
made funher rC-\ommeodations for waste minimiz<ttion. Since completion of these studies,
Ck-MI SlY P11", SVmm11)' 5 April L. ]994
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RWQCP Slaff h.ve urgoo facilities to implement identifioo measures. The RWQCI' has been
most successrui in st.<:uring imp!cmtntatiOI1 ()f waste minimization measures whf.".n facllilies
vioJale discharge limirs, aUowing'lhe RWQCP!o require W4!!te minimil<ttion in an
en rorcement order.
Responding to,an ag.(~mt.nt w1lh CLEAN S()t~lh Bay. trw RWQCP initialed a new gwupof
poUution prevwtion re\'iews in 1993, employing: ils own consultants 10 conducI the reviews al
oompailles tilat volunteerooto ""l1ki""te. 'n Ji\J1uary 1994. ,Ite RWQCP oompleloo pollution
prevention studies of six prin!ed dr.;:uil OOa!"d manufa('lurers and metal finishers, with. the
intent of using the data .. Ihe 1>.\,;, for d.,<lopml'nt of new discharge limirs ("Iocallimirs") for
these industries. 1'lleso studi". which were COO<locloo during 1993. iden'i fiN dir«1
relationships belween (I) wat" ron"J,,"ioo owl «doclion in pollutant di!<harge to the sewer,
and (1.) hazardous ma,eria.!s me nl/nimll.1tion and ~we( discharge pollutant rOOLJ<:Hons,
AboullOO laoora!orics in the arM rond'oct ch?misll)', bio.lcchnok,gy, engineering. and
scmicon<iuctor re.~.a((h and de~do'pmenl. In 1993, the RWQCP developed and dis.lribuled 10
all identified labo~tQric.s a u~r4fricr}(H)' brochure of Best Man&gcmenl Practices. (BMP.!o), a
BMP chccldhl, and "n informalional poster. Tl1es.c documents ad<lrc3s hu ... udou~ wa\te
cootainmenl, storage, di,!;l.'harge. and generallaoorator)' hou~d:ttping praclice!, (The largest
laboratories in Ihe RWQCP service area !lIe a!t(·.ady perntilloo div.hargus,) RWQCP surf
plan a =nd diSiribulioo oftlte I.boralo'}' informalion in 1994.
Pottery and Ari Sly4to$
In 1993, Be5.t Management Praclices were dC"'t.·eloped i\.J1d dislriblll¢d 10 pottfry ShJ<ltos
suspc.:tcd of ullllg and dis<harging "",t.l. from glate pigmenls ,nd day impurities. Doring
1994. the RWQCP plan. 10 ron"ert tho. BMPsto. u",<-f.iendly booklet "itablc. (or wider
dislribution.
MaelJ i ne Shops
Because of weir e)l([€p.live 1.Jst. or metals:, m?t(hinc shops di~hafgc w3slewate( containing
copper,nickel and other metals. WMtcwatcr rrom pailS tumbling and deburrin,g and mop
water from shop cleanup have betn the 1'1'0 major sources of pollutant discharge from machine
shops. After extensive Ie:hnical \.\'Or~ !o itie(1tif)' dis..:'harge soure:es ~nd l"ocommended
management practices, Best Managcmenl Practic(',s for machine shops wcrt· prepared during
1993. BMP development took Significantly longer than e'P<"'too because Ihe RIVQCP
encountered unanlicipaied difficulties in determIning the most appropriate management
practices for wastewater mana,gtI1leot.
AI the end of 1993. staff inspo.:-rtd all machine shops idenlified from telephone books, business
database.s, and field surveys, ftnding lhal only a small (rac-lion gcncralC wastewatet discharges
other than mop water. (These racilities: wtll be issued pewlils in early 1994.) During 1994,
Clean BIY Pb.n SIJ mmu)' April I. 1994
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the R\VQCP will require that all m::.chine-s~ops either obtaln wasle ..... al(( discha:-gc PCUlllls, ('Ir
eliminate any discharge of prCKX'-ss wastewater to the SZI_nilary sewer and rollo,,,, DM Ps (('If
mopping.
Since 1982, Ihe Cily of Palo Allo has sponscred a ilousehold hazardous lVaSic drop·off
collection program to provide fe-siden'ls with an environmentally accC'ptable method for
disposal of hazardous materials. In 1990. the frequency of wllcction was 1rl'o2reased from
quarterly to monthly. One Saturday a monlh, Palo Alto «slJenlS drop (heir ha>ard<>u, wasle
at the temporary c..olleclion area set up alll'le RWQCP. rn addition, city re'sidents may drop
off used mOlor.oil and antifreeze al the Palo Al(o re<:)'ding ('('ote[. A l!ematiy'dy. single
family housing OC<:UpaIlIS can Jeave ,oJltainerized molor oil at Ihe curb (or pk~up on their
lrash C<lllcction day.
For the lasl four yeatS, tne RWQCP has conducted.a variety of public edIKatl!)f) programs thai
are targeted at community residents and businesses. In 1994, 111{; RWQCP is planning new
public education programs aimed at reducing sewer and slorm d'iain pollulant c'i;S{'harg('s by
commercial carpet cleaners, busines.s ?nd home conlraclors, and pool fl.fld Sp-.l m<llmenall(C
firms. Using the resu!ls of tne-EPA~funded study conducted by Ce-fHrcd CClnlra Costa Count)'
Sanitary District r the RWQCP will review ils residenlial edue-arion progfam ilnd determine
whether new materials should be dcveloped locaJly 10 address SOil(C("-S idcnlifkd in dlt sludy.
Appendix C Jists public contacts made in 1993; during 1994, similar conlaclS will be
conducted.
~BaW Root·ContrQI Pl1lliu£!.~
Some root killers inlended to be discharged to the sewer contain at milch as 15% ropper. In
1992, all cities in the RWQCP service area cooperated to implement ordinaoce requircrn"I!!lts
Ihal ban the discharge of copper-based root control chemicals to Ihe $3nitary and MOtm sc\.\.'er
:systems., To support the banJ RWQCP staff instituted a Clean Bay Business program
recogniling area plumbers who agreed to eliminate use of (he produ<:1 and hardware. slores that
took it off of their shelves. Because it is impossible 10 keep area residents aM businesses. from
patronizing hardware siores and plumbers oulside of the service area lhat d('ll1~ honor _the ban,
RWQCP staff have actively supported rc,gional actions and 5lalewick legislation to ban the ~e
and use of copper-based root-control products and plan 10 continue ,lhis s.upport in 1994.
Following studies to e"aluale Ihe amount of zinc, nickel, copper and lead <lischargcd from
cooling lowers, the RWQCP began monitoring cooling tower discharge, prepared HMPs for
corrosion and algal control in cooling tow('.r$, and has di.~tributed: BMPs to all pcrmiHoo
facilities using cooling rowers and chitler systcms. l)uring 1993, all id(-ntifi<'<1 cooling unit
Clean &y PlJ.n Summa ry 7 Ap.ri, I. 1994
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discharges were di=too to the sewer, rather than storm drains. The RWQCP is ""osi<ienng
requiring (through an ordinance modification) (hat bolh commercial and induslrial facililies
implement the BMPs. During 1994-, the RWQCP, in conjunction with area businesses, wilt
ronduct a sampling program to evaluate cooling tower discharge pollutant levels. Staff will
also attempt to find a me1tux:l for ic1entifLcation of commercial buildings that have cooling
towers and chillers. During 1994, educational programs for major dischargers wHl continue.
In addition, RWQCP staff anticipate (onducling an educational program for facilities managers
at smaller buildings with cooling towers and chillers.
Small Quaotjty Commercial Sourc~!S..QC.Sl.HmTdQu" Waste Collcction..PLQg,mm
In 1993, the City initiated a monthly dro~offprogram to provide small businesses in the
RWQCP selVice area with a cost-effective hazardous waste disposal option. The City
antiCipates continuing tile program in 1994. In coordination with other city departments, the
RWQCP will be advertising the availability of the SQCS coll."lion program to ,mall
businesses j n the service are.a.
During 1993, the RWQCP nottfted alt dry cleaners in ils service area that sewer djscha~ge of
dry cleaning solvents (including separator water) is illegal. Allhough Fire Department Md
Bay Area Air Quality Management Dislrict annual inspections addre-ss applicable wastewater
safety issues, the R\VQCP plans an educational program to reinforce the discharge ban and
ef!sure thai dry cleaners are aware of applkable environmental requirements.
fllllloprwssnrJ1\.Jedical and Denial Silver PrQgiilill
Process; ng of photograph ie ar d X-ray fi I m creates silver-bearing waste solutions that were
onen di scharged to the sewer. To minimize the sewer discharge of sitver-containing waste,
the. RWQCP implemented a waste management requirement that provides two compliance
options: (I) off-site management of sitver~bearing wasles, or (2) permined oll-sile silver v,'aste
lreatment, Under the off·site wasle management option, facilities can certify that all silver
bearing wastes are hauled by a licensed ha1.aJ"dous waste halJler for.off~site management (350
did sodunng the first year of program operation). During 1994, the RWQCP will conti,,",
p~ograrn implemenlation throllgh enforcement of the hauler certificatlon requirements,
permitted facllity irlspeclLons) and permit issuance and renewal as appropriate.
To assist small photopre<:essor.I and medical omoes, the RWQCP selecte<i two photoprocessng
wasle hauling/treatment contractors to provide standardized silyer wasle management services
for tile local atea. Alternatively, sm3Jl businesses may'dispose of silver waste through the
city-sponsored small quantity commerdal source hazardous waste management program,
which was advertised to sil\'cr program participants in early 1994. To dale, the program has
resulted in more than a 90% r(':ouclion in the RWQCP's annual maximum ('.fIluent silver
ronc.entra(ion from J989 leve1s.
Clean Bay P.bn Summa ry 8 April I. J994
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Because some home ph.otoprocessors generate relatively substantial quantltie.s of sil\'m'~bearing
waste in pu"uil ortheir hobby. the RWQCP sel up a specialllObbyisl drop·orr program.
Home pholoprocessors cat! bring their wasle to a month.ly household hazardous wasle drop-off
day, Of Jeaye waste ~t the RWQCP during bus.iness hours.
The RWQCP has inil;aled an edu~lion program to inform printers, photoproces~or.s, and
home hobbyists aboullhe appropriale managemenl methods for waste toners containing
selenium. In 1993. an e<lucalional Ill'er was prepared and prinle<l. During 1994. RWQCP
$taff plan to distribute th-e fi),er to area retal!ers.
PROGRAMS ONDER DEVELOPMENT
During 1993, the R\VQCP oonducled a \\'as[e minimization study and developed Best
Management Prdctices for hospitals and medical facililies (the large.sl of which are alrcady
pemlLUed disch:ngers)_ The BMPs include JX)l1ution prevention guidance for environmental,
engineering, fatititics, ractiology, nUfsing and medical personnel. During 1994, educational
male.rials will be completed and distributed to facilities, doctots, and nurses in the RWQCP
service area.
During 1994, the RWQCP will adopt new local limits for businesses in the service area Ihaf
discharge certain prioril}' metals. In addition to concentration limits, the RWQCP is
cQnstdering the use of ma'iS~bas.ed local limits and long-term average conce.ntration limits. In
1993. tho RWQCP held two meetings of the Melals Advisory Group (consisting or industry.
environmeHtat, and agency representalive-s) to explain the need fol' flew locaJ limits and to
c-btain genero1 input and advice regarding local limit development. By 1995, permits will be
modified to require that discharges comply with the newly adopted limits.
In C'{lnjuf1ctton wlth the !ocallimtts proces.s, reasonable controt me-asures, some of which may
be required of dischargers, are being devetoped for printed circuit board manufacturers and
metal finishers. During: 1994. these control me.as\Jres will be circulated for public review, and
may be incorporated into ordinance requiremerus in conjunctiQn with local limits adoption.
Plant slaff and engineering COnlraclors (OnduCI ongoing sludie.s to idenlify sources of pollutant
discharge to ttle sewer and storm drain systems. The 1993 studies are detailed in reports
prepared (or Ihe locallimllS deyelopmenl process. In 1994. Ihe RWQCP plan, 10 rocus on
Clean 8.&y PUll Summlr)" 9 April 1. 1994
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'OPpel from ""'pi",i. an~ re"'.lth f.eilitie •. The RIVQCP is also participating in the Bay
Area PolhHion Prenntion Group's efforts to idenlify an-a control (opper sourCes. With the
California Watef PQllu!iQrl CUl'1troi ASSQ("ialion Industrial and Hazardous Waste Cnmmiuee
Pollution P(tvtIllIM Su1x:ommillc:e and other co-sponsors, (he RWQCP is :seeking runding for
several metals SOiJi\.."e identification $Iudirs, in\'luding a :study of metals discharges to sewers
and storm drains {roO' eoml11f-rdal radlities.
Dpnng 1994, th< RWQCP plM' to initiale <IovelopmCilI of 1><>1 managemenl practices for
m<W fabrication facililies. F~ilili •• will be idenlified .nd inve.stig'loo 10 fond polenlial
$(AJ1'\""t-S of pollutant discharg,ts 10 se-WtfS and storm drains. 1'he final implementation of this
prOicfam \\111 dtpend on the re~ul[S of the initial in .... es!igations.
PI.AN.NED ACflVlTIES TIIAT Cout!) LF.AD TO NEW PROOR.~MS
During 1994, RIVQCP <l.ff \\ili e,.aiOate d," coilocle<1 by Copper Research SubwmmiHee of
3ay AreA Waler Poilult(m Pw,.'c-ntio[) Group 10 deiermine if funner action is walTan!ed to
(oolrol discharges (rom prin!CFs.
During 1992, the biHing SHll('UHC rOt .sewer lJ~ charges in Palo Alto was adjusted to provide
il1«'lIlives for compallies to impl"ment waste minimization studies and potlution prevention
mea~ures. Curre'llt pollv1lwt·rclalcd ChaJgC5, which are ba!.ed on :he Ictal metals and cyanide
("to:\k-s") discharg.x1', Ate rdalh-d)' Jow during the current !nal program. Over the coming
)'taJ's, Cily star(wili <''aiUale lhe erfocliven<ss of the lrial program 10 delermine whelher it
will be f."sible 10 exPand such. discharge reduction incenl;ve program,
In order 10 facilitate Impiemoo!>lio" o(pollulion prevenlion projecls, Ihe RWQCP is
in".,iigaling varioos forms of projecl fina.~cing lhal may curtcntly be available or Ihat may he
made available Ihrough the RWQCP. )lolh positive and negalive fln.ncial incenlives are under
consideratkm. On tl"le bas.is ofa study to be completed ir. 1994, the RWQCP will evaluate
polenlial financial jncenli~es. and the feasibility and coSots of their implementation.
00 the bas.is of prodoct composition and sales dal3 obtained from vendor information, the
RWQCjJ wtJI de<'ide whelher ron!wt me.a~urcs are warranted for tlrearm blueing and polishing
products.
iO April I. 199<1
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Wiler Piping Co,l\:e!WnJi:PDL~
During 1994. the RWQCP will begin an inv~ti&alion inlo lhr. (t<BLbilit)' of requiring the U~
of non--copper piping for coCrtain appll<."Jlions. lJ.e\"'::i'Iuse. Ih~ is.suc-s related [0 piping $('1«I[On are
relatively c6mplex, the invcs!ig<lIion is anticipated 1,0 be a rclati'ltcly tong-teem Ptoj('("1.
RWQCl> staff are coordinating the sludy with 'City pl~.JHHllg and uti Hues start,
WATER MID ",ASTEIVATt;BJ!ILLlIX.PJWlIBM!.Ili
Waler SupJ1l):
Corrosion of wah~r and \V3Slewat(( piping I corrOsion }r:hibiw{ (he rni('.aJ s svch as !ine
orthophosphate, and bioclde.s.lik-e copper s1.Jlfat~ ('ooll-ibull~ mel"ls: 10 t~ arl~a drinking waler
supply) and, ultimately. to ar(-J: was!e'llo-aler. 'Ole RWQCP is \''O.rling in ,-~rallon with Ihe:
Santa Clara VaHey Water District 3:Ild the Palo Alw U[ililie.s Ilcp..'JtmC'nllo [denltfy ("(.)nlwl
measures t~at could r~du('e Ihe COppel c •. :mlcnl of Ih~st drinking .. ~,.lla-rd3Ioo rourrt$. (II
should be noted that the RWQCP ckx'..s not (':(lill1(1llnC pn,'lgres.s nor 'he QlIrC(l[J1t or Lhese
a<:tivifies, though it is seeking 10 provide. W~lilt('~-U aS$istancc and inpul il c-.ln.) The (lIrft""Ht
focus involves plan:s: for corrosion rontrollhrough addition of cor/()!.ton inhibitors or
imple.meJlLation of olhc.r oorrosioI1 conlrol strategies. Corrosion COi:lrol rould cnAAge th, lead,
copper. and nickel content of art.a drirlk.ing 'h",Her (a redu('lion in metals fOI1('C"ntrations is no!
assured). Service area waler supplicis musl propose mcc1surc-s 10 oI'limilc rorrosion control to
Ihe U. S. EPA and California Depaltmenl of Ik.l!h &~ice. by July 1, 199~. Warer
dislribulors in the RWQCP .~rvke 2re.a ar('. kgall)' requiroo 10 op1imil(". rorrosion contwl (fOf
lead as apriority) by lan,'ary 1, 1997.
Currenlly. reclaimed waler is di,lribuloo 10 Shoreline golf C1)\)(se in Moun,,;n Viow and area
Park in Palo Allo Ihrough a pipeline. aJ)d 10 waler lroc,' "Ihe RWQCP (or non'polable u"".
such as du't COnirol. During 1994. Ihe Cily of ralo A 110 pi,", 10 addlhc Pa.lo 1\ 110 golf
course to the reclaimed \valer distribution system, Tht city is 3J$O in the procc·s.s of cvaJuating
whether implementation ora larger rCd2nla!ion program is financially (~~ble and in 1M
overall interest of the City. To !his end, the CiI)' has begun preparation of an environmtntal
impact reporl for a reelamalion maSler plan thai will be con,idered b)' Ihe ralo All0 Cily
Council and other service area govcmmeol.$.
RYtQCP. QpcraJion,
Over the lasl seyeral years, RWQCP operational ctrangc-s have improved the plan\' s removal
effLciency for some metals, including Coppel. Exampk5: of opcrallon31 change.s lhal implo\'cd
copper removal cfl1c[ency inctude:
• lime use reduction, de'>C{('3sing introouction of melaltic imIHJrilic-.$ (1991);
Ii increased (he mixed liquor suspended solids Ic~cls in acrators (l99I};
II April L. 199-1
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• dual·media nller wash procedure change (1992); and
• new bar sor""ns in>!alled, improving sludge thic'er.er efficiency (1993).
During 1994, the RWQCP plans to "'ntinu. process engineering studics to deterilline ir there
are more opportunLtie.s for plant efficiency improvemenl available that would significantl}
jncrease copper remova1 J be Hnan.cially and l~hnjcally fe.asible~ and would not C.oiuse other
operational or environmental impacts.
Water Conserulliul
As a resuit of the on.going drought I utility companies throughout the service are.(l implemented
stronger than usual waler ","servation programs ,",tween 1987 and 1993. Many of there
actions involved permanent replac-cment of fixture.s, resulting in pcrmanem reductions in \Ir~ter
use and waslewarer ge.!u.ralion. Re<luced water use re-stJHs in reduced wa~te\\'aler flows and
lower pollut<nt loads (as part of pollutant loading is associaled with the waler ilrell). While
water comervaLion programs conlinue. some water use res.triclions were eliminated at cnd of
the drought in 1993,
Because RWQCP sewer pollotion prevctltion programs are integra!ed with storm\\'a!cr efforts,
this plan describes RWQCP programs focu~ on storm water pollution pre.\'enLion. Un,like tl)e
other plan elemems described above, th~ stormwaler description rovers only Ihe highlights of
planned activities, The Chy of Palo Alto and other jurisdictions, ifllhe RWQCP SoCNice art<l
implement a variety of slormwater pollution prevention programs, involving bolh system
operations and pollution prevention. In addition, all cities in the service area. ~re ~rt of
county-wide nOr\-point source poHulion conlrol programs -. East J)ato Alto is a member of San
Mateo County's program; the remaining area jurisdictions participate ill the Santa Clara Valley
program.
Together with the larger programs, RWQCP area cities conduct and pJan to c.o.nducl.ill. wide
range of 3tormwatcr pollution prevention actLvilics. For Sanla Clara Valley, these aCliville-s
are described in the Sama Clara Valley Nonpoinl Source Polllllion Control Program Annual
Report (Septem,",r 1993) and the Memorandum ofUnderstAnd,ng oreated by South Bay
Copper Dialogue participants. Some of these acliYilies. as noted below, res\JU in the dive.rsion
of pollutant' from storm drains (through which they would now to the Bay "ntrtated) 10 the
sewer system.
PROGRAMS IN PR.OGRESS
SIQrmwater SY$fem Mana~emenl Programs
All jurisdictions in the RWQCP service area operate storm drain syslem programs that prevcllt
Bay pollution. The City of Palo AHo's program includes the following elemenls:
Ckan Ba)' Flan Summar)' 12 April I, L~-4
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jtlicil connectionJillegal dumping program;
spill response, complaint investigation, and ongoing stormwalcr QUality
monitoring program; .
catch basins/drop inlets S!enciling·· during 19911hrough 1993, inlets were
stenciled by votunle.ers;
street sweeping -. Palo Alto streets arc swe,pt at least weekly (3 limes weekly in
business districts);
catch basin/drop inlet and pump station welt cleaning.-cleaned annually,
usually in SeptemberlO<:lober; and
storm draln lines cleaning/maintenance --Hoes arc vacuumed out 10 remove
debris on a regular maintenance schedule.
Stormwater runoff protection is an integral part of all RWQCP, programs described in this
report. The RWQCP combines Mormwaler pollution prevention with sewer sourc.e control in
all program activilies, from source idelllifLcatioll, progr~m development, and BMP
iderttification, through permittiog and ins{XX.~tior,
PROGRAMS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
While many storf1lwater pollution prevention programs ate being developed, RWQCP staff are
playing key roles in several that are anticipated to divert important polllliantloadings. (rom
storm drain discharge, The·se programs are described below.
EoOO.lIaorlling ESJabtishments
Food handling facililies such as restaurants, inslitutional caieterias, grocuy stoICS, bakeric-s,
and delis can co)}tribute to st()rmwafer polluliollthrough activiHcs such as improper cleaning
practices that allow food particles, oit and grease, and cleaning products to flow to streets,
guUers, and storm drains. \Vorking with the Santa Clara Valley Non·Point Source Control
Program, the RWQCP has developed !lest Management PmCli",s for restaurants and other
food seNice facilities. When completed (anticip,tedin 1994), Ihese BMPs ",ill be d iSlribu ted
to fadHlies in the RWQCP service area. Together with other County agencies, the RWQCP is
aftempting to ensure thai slormwaler pwte(:.tion is addressed in routine County sanitation
inspections of food service faciliHes.
Cjty eontract SpetiticruiQlli
Construction sites are common sources of stormwalcr pollution. Common CDTlstruction·related
pollutanl discharges include oil, fuel, and fluids from vehicles and heavy equipment; excavated
soils; debris from demoli!ion; and paints and other liquids that arc poun~d or spilled into
slreets or storm drains. The City of Palo Alto is in the process of developing specifications for
city C'.onlracts that would require implementation of stormwater pollution control measures for
all Cit)' projC<:ts. During 1994, Ihe City anticipa,es completing 'he spedf,ca,ions, which will
Clun Sly PJjrl Summlry \3 Apr'-J 1. 1994
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be shanxi with other ageode. ,ueh as participanls ill Ihe Saula Clara Valley Nonpoinl Source
Polluljon Control Program.
DtllIdlng !Cleaning, landscapiog, and maintenance activities have Ihe polenliallo generale
pollulanl di~harges 10 Slreels and slorm drains, In cooperation with Ihc Santa Clara Valley
Nonpolnl Source Pollulion Conlrol Program, RWQCP 'laff are working 10 publish educational
materials on contractor management. and indoor a"d oUldoor cleaning activities. The RWQCP
hopes thai these malerioJs can be completoo and dislribuled in 1994,
In oooperalion with the 5"'13 Clara Valley Nonpoinl Source Pollution Control Program, the
RWQCI> is devctoping an educalional program aimed at pool mainlenance companies and their
CU\lorntn:. The RWQCP plans (0 urge lise of non-ropper containing pool products, and to
require that pool w-ater be dischargoo 10 the sewer rather Ihan to storm drains. Currently. the
RWQCP is planning to co!l1plete edue.alional materiaJ) and operate a demonslration program in
P.\10 Allo dt1ring 1994. Planned Jlclivilies include updating and expanding RWQCP literature;
dislribuling the lheralUre to retailers and maintenance services; and adviSing pool, spa, and
fountain owners of f('(ommended actions.
PLA,,'NED ACTIVITIES THAT COULD LEAD TO NEW PROGRAMS
During Ihe winler of I99J-I~g4, Ihe Cily of Palo Alto is conducling a trial progrnm that
involves diverting Ihe stormwaler flows., up to the system's capacity. from a relatively small
(cInmercial area in downtown Palo Alto. On the basis of the pilot program, the 'City wilt
. evaluate whelher management of some stormwater Ihrough Ihe RWQCP would be feasible and
col'iron menially benefi ci at.
14 April I, 1994