STAKEHOLDER MEETING
AMENDMENTS TO THE
WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANS FOR OCEAN WATERS AND ENCLOSED BAYS AND ESTUARIES TO
ADDRESS DESALINATION FACILITIES AND BRINE DISPOSAL
Moss Landing Marine
Laboratories
Moss Landing , CA
95039
January 30, 2013
9:30 AM
State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board)
staff will be holding a stakeholder meeting regarding the proposed Desalination
amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California
(Ocean Plan) and the Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed
Bays and Estuaries of California (Enclosed Bays
The State Water Board originally contracted with the Moss
Landing Marine Laboratory to establish a seawater intake expert review panel
(ERP). The ERP has provided scientific recommendations regarding minimizing and
mitigating plankton entrainment impacts associated with desalination
facilities. Based on outcomes from the State Water Board’s August 22,
2012 Workshop, the ERP may reconvene. Consequently, at the January 30
Stakeholder Meeting the public will be provided with an update on the status of
the amendment, and will have an opportunity to provide comments to State Water
Board staff and to members of the ERP.
A quorum of State Water Board members may be present;
however, no formal action will be taken by the State Water Board at this
meeting.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
State Water Board staff is developing an amendment to the
Ocean Plan and the Enclosed
Bays California coast to augment existing potable
water supplies.
During the process of ocean desalination, salt and minerals
are removed from salt water to produce potable water. The salt, minerals,
and other compounds are discharged as hyper-saline brine. Brine is denser
than the receiving ocean water and, depending on discharge methods, may settle
on the ocean bottom. Accumulation of brine on the seafloor may have an
adverse effect on marine organisms.
Other projects, such as brackish groundwater desalination
and wastewater treatment/recycling, also generate brine wastes. Currently, the
Water Boards regulate brine discharges through the issuance of National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that contain conditions
protective of aquatic life. However, the Ocean Plan does not yet have an
objective for elevated salinity levels in the ocean, nor does it describe how
brine discharges are to be regulated and controlled, leading to permitting
uncertainty. The Ocean Plan also does not address possible impacts to
marine life from intakes for desalination facilities. The Enclosed bays and Estuaries
Plan is completely silent on seawater intakes and brine disposal.
The planned amendment is currently envisioned to have the
following components: 1) a “narrative” objective for salinity, 2) provisions to
minimize impacts to marine life from desalination plant intakes, and 3)
discharge implementation provisions.
Attached you will find a draft agenda.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Shuka
Rastegarpour at (916) 341-5576 or srastegarpour@waterboards.ca.gov
Thank you.
DRAFT AGENDA
STATE WATER BOARD
STAKEHOLDER MEETING FOR
DESALINATION AMENDMENT
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Moss Landing ,
CA 95039
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