BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 607 Page 1 Date of Hearing: July 13, 2011 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 607 (Walters) - As Amended: April 27, 2011 Policy Committee: Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Vote: 9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill requires, on or before January 1, 2013, the State Water Resources Control Board to either amend the California Ocean Plan or adopt separate standards to address water quality objectives and effluent limitations specifically appropriate to brackish groundwater treatment system facilities that produce municipal water supplies for local use. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbable costs to the water board, which indicates it already is undertaking a revision of the California Ocean Plan to address issues associated with desalinization, including brackish groundwater desalination projects. COMMENTS 1)Rationale. The author intends this bill to ensure that brackish water discharge is addressed in the upcoming revision of the Ocean Plan to provide statewide standards by which water sources may be developed. 2)Background. The California Ocean Plan is the state's water quality control plan for ocean waters. It lists beneficial uses of California's ocean waters that need to be protected; establishes water quality objectives necessary to achieve protection of those beneficial uses; identifies areas where discharges are prohibited; and sets forth a program of implementation to ensure that water quality objectives are met. The water board adopted the Ocean Plan in 1972 and has made periodic revisions every few years. SB 607 Page 2 Currently, the Ocean Plan includes no standards that apply specifically to brine waste discharges from desalination plants or groundwater desalting facilities. According to the water board, it is developing amendments to the Ocean Plan to address issues associated with desalinization, including brackish groundwater desalination projects, and anticipates that the Ocean Plan amendments will be completed by December 2012. 3)Support. This bill is supported by the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (sponsor). 4)There is no formal opposition registered to this bill. Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081