City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2025 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ADOPTION TO UPDATE SECTION 14.12.350 OF THE RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE REMOVAL OF CHLORIDE, SODIUM, SULFATE AND THEIR ASSOCIATED LIMITS; REDUCTION OF THE MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION LEVEL OF SILVER LIMITS TO 0.8 MG/L AND REMOVAL OF THE 5.0 MG/L AND (1) FOOTNOTE AS LISTED ON THE 12/12/02 LOCAL LIMIT POLLUTANT DISCHARGE LIMITATIONS – RESOLUTION ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution to update Riverside Municipal Code Title 14, Public Utilities, Chapter 14.12 - Discharge of Wastes into the Public Sewer and Pollutants into Storm Drain Systems, Section 14.12.350 - Local Limits for the removal of chloride, sodium, sulfate and their associated limits; to reduce the maximum concentration level of the silver limits to 0.8 mg/L and to remove the 5.0 mg/L and (1) footnote as listed on the 12/12/02 local limit pollutant discharge limitations.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution to update Riverside Municipal Code Title 14, Public Utilities, Chapter 14.12 – Discharges of Wastes into the Public Sewer and Pollutants into Storm Drain Systems, Section 14.12.350 – Local Limits for the removal of chloride, sodium, sulfate and their associated limits; to reduce the maximum concentration level of the silver limits to 0.8 mg/L and to remove the 5.0 mg/L and (1) footnote as listed on the 12/12/02 local limit pollutant discharge limitations effective September 2024.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department, Wastewater Division, is responsible for the collection, conveyance, and treatment of wastewater generated within the City of Riverside and the communities of Edgemont, Jurupa, Rubidoux, and the unincorporated community of Highgrove. Wastewater is conveyed to the Riverside Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) through more than 800 miles of sewer lines throughout the City. Wastewater is treated and disinfected at the WQCP so that it can be reused for irrigation or discharged to the Santa Ana River in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
The RWQCP National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES Permit) issued by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board requires implementation of an Industrial Waste Pretreatment Program that is authorized under the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Title 14 Public Utilities, Chapter 14.12 Division III. RMC Section 14.12.350 Local Limits regulates by resolution the discharge of pollutants from industrial users of the wastewater system to keep levels below that which could impair RWQCP treatment processes or cause pass-through to the Santa Ana River.
The Local Limit Study is required by the Clean Water Act and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 40 Part 403.5 (c), (d)) General Pretreatment Regulations, in addition to the conditions mandated by the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES No. CA 0105350, Order No. RA 2013-0016). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) General Pretreatment Regulations defines the methods in which the limits are developed. The City is required by federal regulations (40 CFR Part 403.8) to set and apply local discharge limits based on a treatment plant’s headworks analysis of maximum allowable pollutant loadings and the identification and characterization of contributing sources.
DISCUSSION:
To complete the Local Limits Study, the WQCP contracted with Lee & Ro to develop the sampling plan, analyze the data and complete the Local Limits Study. Using the sampling plan, Environmental Compliance staff conducted two (2) separate sampling events in June and December 2023, to capture both wet and dry weather seasons. The sampling collection efforts were processed, and the lab results were provided for use in the Maximum Allowable Headworks Loading analysis. In total, 69 separate samples from sewer manholes were taken by Environmental Compliance staff and Laboratory staff performed the sample analyses in-house at the RWQCP Laboratory facility. Completing the sampling and analysis in-house saved the City approximately $75,000 versus contracting for these services.
The collected Sampling Plan data was provided to Lee & Ro who used established EPA methods and protocols to develop the proposed Local Limits concentrations. The results of this effort is documented in the attached report entitled, “Riverside Regional Water Quality Control Plant Local Limit Study – September 2024”. Upon receiving the Local Limits Study, staff presented the findings to Regional Water Quality Control Board – District 8 and did not receive any opposition to the proposed plan. Based on the Study results, staff is recommending that the City of Riverside’s new Local Limits be as followed:
POLLUTANT
LIMIT
POLLUTANT
LIMIT
ARSENIC
0.18 NICKEL
2.3 BORON
5.2 SILVER
0.8 CADMIUM
0.15 ZINC
6.7 CHROMIUM
0.68 COD
8,000
COPPER
3.0 OIL/GREASE
250, 3501
CYANIDE
0.17 TSS
2,000
FLUORIDE
12.0 TDS
2,500
LEAD
1.2 TOTAL HARDNESS
2,500
MANGANESE
1.0 TOTAL NITROGEN
500
MERCURY
0.001
Ph
5.0-11.5
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item supports Strategic Priority 4 – Environmental Stewardship, Strategic Priority 5 - Performing Government, Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility & Connectivity, and the following goals:
4.2 - Sustainably manage local water resources to maximize reliability and advance water reuse to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable water to our community.
5.2 - Utilize technology, data, and process improvement strategies to increase efficiencies, guide decision making, and ensure services are accessible and distributed equitably throughout all geographic areas of the City.
6.2 – Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
Furthermore, this item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Environmental Compliance Local Limit Study ensures wastewater discharges do not impact the community, environment, or public infrastructure.
Equity – This effort supports clean water, public health, and resource recovery throughout the City.
Fiscal Responsibility – Provides a quality public service to all residents in a fiscally responsible way.
Innovation – This action is neutral towards this Cross-Cutting Thread.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Proper operation of the Environmental Compliance division contributes to the sustainability of the City’s and region’s local water resources and environment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. There should be no financial impact to existing industrial users unless they exceed local limit pollutant discharge limitations.
Prepared by: Valerie Espinoza, Senior Administrative Analyst Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Jack Liu, Interim City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution 20295
Local Limit Study – September 2024
Local Limit Discharge Limitations – December 12, 2002
Adopt a Resolution to Update Section 14.12.350 Local Limits of the RMC ● Page 3