State Water Board and UCLA summarize Phase 1 of statewide wastewater needs assessment

The State Water Resources Control Board received a July 16 update on the statewide wastewater needs assessment contracted to UCLA after a 2022 Board resolution that authorized a multi‑year $4,000,000 contract. Danielle Jimerson, senior engineer with the Board’s Division of Water Quality, summarized Phase 1 work and said the report was completed for internal review on June 30, 2025. "Phase 1 laid the foundation for a statewide wastewater analysis, develop[ed] data methods, launch[ed] a survey, and identify[ed] data gaps," Jimerson told the board.

The assessment matters because it aims to identify systems that are not adequately treating or conveying wastewater, prioritize underserved and disadvantaged communities, and estimate costs and solutions that could guide future investments tied to the Board’s human‑right‑to‑water obligations. Greg Pierce, principal investigator for the UCLA team, told the board the project’s goals include identifying solutions and motivating investment to support safe, affordable sanitation and to implement the human right to water in line with Assembly Bill 685.

Phase 1 accomplishments, as presented by UCLA and partner universities, included: a statewide baseline survey led by UC Davis and UC ANR; a wastewater facility and system inventory compiled by Sacramento State’s Office of Water Programs; and a predictive model developed by the University of Massachusetts to estimate parcel‑level presence of on‑site wastewater systems where official records are sparse. The project organized systems into three permit categories for assessment — NPDES (surface discharge), WDR (land discharge), and sanitary sewer collection systems under the general SSO framework — and the team reported roughly 2,657 systems across those categories for initial screening.

UCLA described a two‑step analytic approach: (1) define and score ‘‘inadequacy’’ using permit compliance, open enforcement orders, and monitoring/reporting failures; and (2) score risk of becoming inadequate using about 25 socioeconomic, operational, environmental and public‑health indicators. The team said it will use those outputs to identify systems that require technical solutions. Pierce emphasized that the model will estimate solution costs only for systems judged inadequate, not for every system statewide.

Speakers and participants raised several operational issues. Board members pressed whether under‑enrollment in regulatory programs could leave collection systems off the inventory; Office of Enforcement staff said they had identified under 50 systems that failed to re‑enroll in a recent sanitary sewer order. Regions also noted overlapping permits where facilities may hold both NPDES and WDR permits; the project reported it had matched permit records to avoid double counting but acknowledged complexity in communicating results where permit types overlap.

Community stakeholders and advisory‑group members participated. Commenters urged the project to include interim assistance for low‑income households on septics (pumping, overflow response), and to allow community groups to submit on‑site system data to improve the UMass predictive model. The California Association of Sanitation Agencies, represented by Jared Bridal (director of regulatory affairs), praised the broad, collaborative effort and encouraged transparency and timely distribution of draft materials to the advisory group.

Project timeline and next steps: Phase 2 will run through 2027 and will produce a public list and mapped tools identifying inadequate and at‑risk systems, recommended technical solutions at the system level, system and statewide cost estimates, and likely funding gaps. Staff said the team will continue advisory‑group meetings and monthly office hours for practitioners.

Speakers relevant to this article - Danielle Jimerson, Senior Engineer, Division of Water Quality, State Water Board (government) - Greg Pierce, Principal Investigator, UCLA (academic) - Jared Bridal, Director of Regulatory Affairs, California Association of Sanitation Agencies (business/nonprofit) - Sean Greer, project staff (role not specified in transcript) (unknown) - Laurel Firestone, Board Member, State Water Resources Control Board (government) - Nicole Morgan, Board Member, State Water Resources Control Board (government) - Natalie Escobedo Garcia, commenter (citizen/organization) (not otherwise identified) - Debbie Mackey, commenter (citizen/organization)

Authorities - type: resolution; name/description: 2022 Board resolution authorizing the executive director to enter a multi‑year contract with UCLA ($4,000,000); referenced_by:["project background"] - type: statute; name/description: Assembly Bill 685 (Human Right to Water); referenced_by:["project purpose and goals"] - type: policy; name/description: Sanitary Sewer System General Order (enrollment requirement); referenced_by:["discussion on under‑enrollment and re‑enrollment"] - type: permit; name/description: NPDES (surface discharge) / WDR (land discharge) permit types; referenced_by:["system inventory and assessment"]

Actions []

discussion_decision {"discussion_points":["Phase 1 (July 2023–June 30, 2025) developed data methods, a baseline survey and identified data gaps; Phase 2 (through 2027) will map inadequate systems and model solutions and costs.","Project inventory identified ~2,657 systems across NPDES, WDR and sanitary sewer collection system permit types for initial analysis.","UMass predictive model will estimate on‑site wastewater parcels where statewide data are incomplete; UC ANR led ground‑truth field campaigns.","Cost modeling will be applied only to systems deemed inadequate, not all systems."],"directions":["Continue advisory group meetings, monthly office hours and regional coordination; accept and consider outside data to improve parcel‑level models if feasible.","Coordinate with Office of Enforcement and regional boards on enrollment gaps and system lists."],"decisions":[]}

sections {"lede":"State Water Board staff and UCLA reported completion of Phase 1 of a statewide wastewater needs assessment, outlining methods, a system inventory and next steps to identify inadequate systems and model costs in Phase 2.","nut_graf":"The project — funded by a $4 million multi‑year contract authorized in 2022 — aims to produce a prioritized, statewide view of wastewater system inadequacy, with attention to underserved and disadvantaged communities and a planned public mapping and cost model in Phase 2 through 2027.","ending":"Staff said Phase 2 will publish lists and mapping tools, recommended solutions and cost estimates and highlighted opportunities for regional input and for community groups to contribute data."}

topic_primary":"wastewater_needs_assessment","topics":[{"name":"wastewater_infrastructure","justification":"Project aims to identify inadequate wastewater systems, on‑site systems and sewered communities to guide solutions and funding.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":0.98,"depth_score":0.88,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.25,"civic_salience":0.90,"impactfulness":0.88,"geo_relevance":1.00}},{"name":"environmental_justice","justification":"Advisory group and public commenters urged prioritizing underserved and disadvantaged communities and considering interim support for low‑income households on septics.","scoring":{"topic_relevance":0.90,"depth_score":0.70,"opinionatedness":0.00,"controversy":0.30,"civic_salience":0.85,"impactfulness":0.75,"geo_relevance":1.00}}],"speakers":[{"name":"Danielle Jimerson","role_title":"Senior Engineer, Division of Water Quality","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"State Water Resources Control Board","first_reference":{"timecode":"00:18:18","transcript_line_range":[71,77]}},{"name":"Greg Pierce","role_title":"Principal Investigator","affiliation_type":"academic","affiliation_name":"UCLA","first_reference":{"timecode":"00:22:50","transcript_line_range":[84,90]}},{"name":"Jared Bridal","role_title":"Director of Regulatory Affairs","affiliation_type":"nonprofit","affiliation_name":"California Association of Sanitation Agencies","first_reference":{"timecode":"01:06:42","transcript_line_range":[260,265]}},{"name":"Sean Greer","role_title":"Project staff (role not specified in transcript)","affiliation_type":"unknown","affiliation_name":"","first_reference":{"timecode":"00:50:25","transcript_line_range":[165,168]}},{"name":"Laurel Firestone","role_title":"Board Member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"State Water Resources Control Board","first_reference":{"timecode":"00:29:53","transcript_line_range":[120,125]}},{"name":"Nicole Morgan","role_title":"Board Member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"State Water Resources Control Board","first_reference":{"timecode":"00:58:28","transcript_line_range":[290,295]}},{"name":"Natalie Escobedo Garcia","role_title":"Commenter","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"","first_reference":{"timecode":"01:26:15","transcript_line_range":[327,333]}},{"name":"Debbie Mackey","role_title":"Commenter","affiliation_type":"citizen","affiliation_name":"","first_reference":{"timecode":"01:30:37","transcript_line_range":[341,345]}}],"authorities":[{"type":"resolution","name":"2022 Board resolution authorizing executive director contract with UCLA ($4,000,000)","citation":"","referenced_by":["project background"]},{"type":"statute","name":"Assembly Bill 685 (Human Right to Water)","citation":"AB 685","referenced_by":["project purpose and goals"]},{"type":"policy","name":"Sanitary Sewer System General Order","citation":"","referenced_by":["discussion on under‑enrollment"]},{"type":"policy","name":"NPDES and WDR permit frameworks","citation":"","referenced_by":["system inventory and assessment"]}],"actions":[],"discussion_decision":{"discussion_points":["Phase 1 built methods, completed a baseline survey and identified data gaps (Phase 1 report in internal review as of 2025‑06‑30).","Phase 2 will identify inadequate systems and model solutions and costs through 2027; cost modeling will focus on systems judged inadequate.","UMass will use predictive modeling to locate on‑site wastewater systems at parcel level; UC ANR conducted field campaigns to ground truth results."],"directions":["Continue advisory group input and monthly office hours; accept and consider submitted data where feasible to refine models.","Coordinate with regional boards and Office of Enforcement to identify re‑enrollment gaps and to validate system lists."],"decisions":[]} ,"clarifying_details":[{"category":"contract","detail":"Multi‑year contract with UCLA for wastewater needs assessment","value":"4000000","units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Danielle Jimerson"},{"category":"phase1_timing","detail":"Phase 1 ran July 2023 to 06/30/2025 (Phase 1 report now in internal review)","value":"2023-07 to 2025-06-30","units":"date_range","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Danielle Jimerson"},{"category":"phase2_timing","detail":"Phase 2 scheduled to complete in 2027","value":"2027","units":"year","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Danielle Jimerson"},{"category":"system_count","detail":"Approximately 2,657 systems across NPDES, WDR and sanitary sewer collection system permit types identified for assessment","value":2657,"units":"count","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Greg Pierce"},{"category":"inadequacy_indicators","detail":"About 25 risk indicators to be used for risk scoring (socioeconomic, operational, environmental, public health)","value":25,"units":"count","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Greg Pierce"},{"category":"enrollment_gap","detail":"Office of Enforcement reported under 50 systems failed to re‑enroll in the sanitary sewer order","value":50,"units":"count","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Office of Enforcement (comment referenced during meeting)"}],"proper_names":[{"name":"UCLA","type":"organization"},{"name":"Sacramento State Office of Water Programs","type":"organization"},{"name":"University of Massachusetts","type":"organization"},{"name":"UC Davis","type":"organization"},{"name":"UC Agricultural and Natural Resources (UC ANR)","type":"organization"},{"name":"California Association of Sanitation Agencies","type":"organization"},{"name":"Division of Water Quality","type":"agency"}],"community_relevance":{"geographies":["statewide"],"funding_sources":["state contract funds (Clean Water SRF referenced for administrative funding)"],"impact_groups":["households served by on‑site wastewater systems","disadvantaged communities","small wastewater utilities"]},"meeting_context":{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":12,"duration_minutes":200,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"medium","history":[{"date":"2022-01-01","note":"Board adopted resolution to contract with UCLA"},{"date":"2023-07-01","note":"Phase 1 kickoff"},{"date":"2025-06-30","note":"Phase 1 report completed for internal review"}]},"searchable_tags":["wastewater_needs_assessment","UCLA","UMass","sanitary_sewer","on-site_systems"],"provenance":{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"1098.37","local_start":0,"local_end":271,"evidence_excerpt":"Well, good morning, chair Esquivel, members of the board, and members of the public. My name is Danielle Jimerson. I am a senior engineer with the division of water Quality and, leading the wastewater needs assessment project efforts from the State Water Board site.","global_start":1098.37,"global_end":1369.65,"tc_start":"00:18:18","tc_end":"00:22:49","text_sha256":"7c222fb2927d828af22f592134e8932480637c0d5b3cedb2a0e1f6d8e3b3bcd0","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"3999.885","local_start":0,"local_end":156,"evidence_excerpt":"This is the firstwe're summarizing here the first 2 years. Now we're jumping into, the next 2 years where we execute, basically all of the methods we've developed with the data that we have.","global_start":3999.885,"global_end":4156.785,"tc_start":"01:06:39","tc_end":"01:09:16","text_sha256":"3b5d5c3712955042212316173ccf37be800a0b1a14f6c4f0a8b7e5b2f3bdf7e4","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},"salience":{"overall":0.88,"overall_justification":"The needs assessment addresses statewide sanitation adequacy, funding needs, and environmental justice — high public policy relevance and potential fiscal scale.","impact_scope":"statewide","impact_scope_justification":"Assessment covers systems across California and informs statewide funding and policy priorities.","attention_level":"high","attention_level_justification":"Will inform resource allocation and regulatory attention to inadequate systems; directly ties to human right to water implementation.","novelty":0.70,"novelty_justification":"First statewide, methodical wastewater needs assessment with machine‑learning parcel work and a large advisory group; Phase 1 completed for the first time.","timeliness_urgency":0.75,"timeliness_urgency_justification":"Phase 2 starts soon and will produce lists and cost estimates that can shape near‑term funding decisions.","legal_significance":0.50,"legal_significance_justification":"Relates to implementation of AB 685 and regulatory programs but does not itself change law.","budgetary_significance":0.80,"budgetary_significance_justification":"Estimated capital and O&M costs across many systems could define multi‑billion dollar investment needs; early estimates will inform funding gaps.","public_safety_risk":0.40,"public_safety_risk_justification":"Inadequate wastewater systems pose public‑health risks in some communities; risk varies by system.","environmental_impact":0.70,"environmental_impact_justification":"Untreated or under‑treated wastewater affects groundwater, surface water, and ecosystems.","affected_population_estimate":1000000,"affected_population_estimate_justification":"Large number of residents use on‑site or small systems statewide; estimate placeholder to indicate broad potential reach.","affected_population_confidence":0.30,"affected_population_confidence_justification":"Large uncertainty because parcel‑level data are incomplete and are a major focus of Phase 2 modeling.","budget_total_usd":8800000.0,"budget_total_usd_justification":"Project cited $8,800,000 across awards and fellowships related to research support; contract with UCLA was $4,000,000 for the assessment."} ,{