BILL ANALYSIS SB 918 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 918 (Pavley) As Amended August 16, 2010 Majority vote SENATE VOTE :24-12 ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 7-0WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 10-2 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Nava, Blakeslee, Chesbro, |Ayes:|Huffman, Anderson, | | |Davis, Feuer, Monning, | |Arambula, Blumenfield, | | |Ruskin | |Caballero, De La Torre, | | | | |Gatto, Bonnie Lowenthal, | | | | |Salas, Yamada | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| |Nays:|Miller, Smyth |Nays:|Fuller, Tom Berryhill | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- APPROPRIATIONS 12-5 -------------------------------- |Ayes:|Fuentes, Bradford, | | |Huffman, Coto, Davis, De | | |Leon, Gatto, Hall, | | |Skinner, Solorio, | | |Torlakson, Torrico | | | | | | | |-----+--------------------------| |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, | | |Nielsen, Norby | | | | -------------------------------- SUMMARY : Requires the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish standards for various types of water recycling. Specifically, this bill : 1)Requires the DPH to adopt uniform water recycling criteria for indirect potable use for groundwater recharge, by December 31, 2013. SB 918 Page 2 2)Requires the DPH to adopt uniform water recycling criteria for surface water augmentation by December 31, 2016. The criteria for surface water augmentation would be subject to review and approval by an expert panel on uniform water recycling criteria for indirect potable reuse through surface water augmentation convened by the DPH. i) The expert panel made up of members with specified expertise; include at least six members with following experts: (a) Toxicologist (b) Engineer with at least three years of experience in wastewater treatment (c) Engineer with at least three years experience in treatment of drinking water supplies and knowledge of drinking water standards; (d) Epidemiologist (e) Microbiologist; and (f) Chemist ii) Authorizes the DPH to convene an advisory group or task force on the development of uniform water recycling criteria for indirect potable reuse through surface water augmentation that must include at least nine representatives of water agencies, local governments, environmental, public health, environmental justice and business. Environmental, environmental justice and non-governmental public health member may be compensated for travel expenses. iii) Requires that the criteria for indirect potable reuse through surface water augmentation developed by DHS shall consider 10 specified sources of information on water reuse. 3)Requires the DPH to investigate and then report to the Legislature on the feasibility of developing uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse, by December 31, 2016. The investigation and report to the Legislature shall include a consideration of a 10 specific factors related to direct potable reuse. SB 918 Page 3 4)Requires the DPH, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, to annual report in the budget on progress being made toward adoption of water recycling criteria. 5)Authorizes the expenditure from July 1, 2011, until June 30, 2017, for the implementation of the bill from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund currently allocated for use by the State Water Resources Control Board. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill would result in a cost of approximately $500,000 to $700,000 for DPH planning to be paid from the State Water Resources Control Board Waste Discharge Permit Fund. COMMENTS: 1)Need for the bill . According to the author, this bill addresses the need for the increased use of recycled water. Specifically, the author points out that "California discharges nearly 4 million acre feet of wastewater into the ocean - more than the State Water Project delivers to the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Southern California. Much of that water could be recycled. However, because the state has not adopted uniform safety standards, the permitting and design processes for building and operating water recycling facilities are unpredictable, discouraging local communities from tapping into this major water source." 2)Recycled water . Recycled water, sometimes called reclaimed water, is former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and then allowed to recharge the aquifer rather than being discharged to surface water. This recharging is often done by using the treated wastewater for irrigation. Recycled water is used for many purposes including agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation, groundwater recharge, and seawater intrusion barriers. Before recycled water can be used for these beneficial uses, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards and DPH require treatment to remove pollutants that could be harmful to the beneficial use. Analysis Prepared by : Bob Fredenburg / E.S. & T.M. / (916) SB 918 Page 4 319-3965 FN: 0005937