Transportation and Environment Committee (t&e)
June 5, 2023

J u n e 5 , 2 0 2 3
Transportation and Environment Committee
d.1. Discharge Regulations & Potential Impacts
to the San José-Santa Clara
Regional Wastewater Facility
Eric Dunlavey
Jason Nettleton
Jennifer Voccola Brown
▪ Operating since 1956
▪ Largest advanced wastewater
facility in West
▪ 167 MGD capacity
▪ 2,600-acre site
▪ Serves
▪ 1.5 million people
▪ 17,000 businesses
▪ 8 cities & County
▪ Subject to multiple regulatory
permits
2 Regional Wastewater Facility
Protecting our Health, Bay, and Economy
3 Regional Wastewater Facility
Regulatory Permits: Water & Air Quality
Permit Permit
Effective
Expected
Reissuance Regulator
Air Emissions Permits
Title V – Federal Air Operating Permit May 2022 May 2027 EPA/BAAQMD Permit to Operate July 2022 Renewed
Annually BAAQMD
Wastewater Discharge Permits
RWF NPDES Permit April 2020 April 2025 SF Water Board
Nutrients NPDES Permit for POTWs July 2019 July 2024 SF Water Board Mercury and PCBs NPDES Permit for
POTWs December 2022 December 2027 SF Water Board
4 Updated Regulations: Nutrient Limits
▪ Algae bloom in August
2022 was a game changer
▪ Nitrogen limits in 2024
▪ Proactive monitoring and
collaborative engagement
by staff
5 Potential Regulations: CECs
6 Microplastics
Special
Studies
PFAS
Forever
chemicals
Broad uses
Ubiquitous
Image from:
mn-net.com
Contaminants of
Emerging Concern
Proactive outreach
Regulatory Permits: Water & Air Quality
Permit Permit
Effective
Expected
Reissuance Regulator
Air Emissions Permits
Title V – Federal Air Operating Permit May 2022 May 2027 EPA/BAAQMD Permit to Operate July 2022 Renewed
Annually BAAQMD
Wastewater Discharge Permits
RWF NPDES Permit April 2020 April 2025 SF Water Board
Nutrients NPDES Permit for POTWs July 2019 July 2024 SF Water Board Mercury and PCBs NPDES Permit for
POTWs December 2022 December 2027 SF Water Board
7 New/Updated BAAQMD Regulations
▪ Regulation 2, Rule 5 – New Source Review of
Toxic Air Contaminants
▪ Regulation 11, Rule 18 – Reduction of Risk
From Air Toxic Emissions at Existing Facilities
▪ Regulation 13, Rule 4 – Sewage Treatment and
Anaerobic Digestion
8 ▪ Study Conducted in 2020/21 on ZWED, Newby
Island Landfill, and RWF
▪ Draft Report Issued in 2022
▪ BAAQMD Plans to Draft New Rule
South Bay Odor Study
9 Conclusions
▪ Issues can change quickly, so it’s important to
– Continue robust monitoring programs and participate
in studies
– Be agile with projects
▪ Engaging with Regulators is crucial
– Establish stronger connection with BAAQMD Leadership
– Maintain relationship with Water Board
▪ Staying Proactive
– Supports compliance status
– Benefits the environment
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