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Council directs staff to explore source-control measures after chloride study for planned water treatment
Summary
After hearing a technical evaluation, council directed staff to develop scopes and cost estimates for pretreatment and source-control measures (dialysis pretreatment, business controls, and potential water-softener outreach) as a complement to a phased Advanced Water Treatment Facility.
Santa Paula council members voted to receive and file a final chloride source-evaluation prepared with Larry Walker Associates and directed staff to develop scopes and cost estimates for potential source-control measures to complement a planned Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF).
Consultant Betsy Elzifon summarized the sampling and load analysis and said one monitoring location near Harvard Boulevard (referred to as Site 19) accounted for "about 46% of all the chloride that we saw." The study identified dialysis clinics and portions of a north-central commercial/residential area as measurable contributors. Betsy and Mike Nunley with MKN presented two policy pathways: (1) develop pretreatment and source-control measures (including pursuing pretreatment permits for dialysis facilities, evaluating local businesses and reintroducing a water-softener buyback), or (2) rely solely on the AWTF construction.
The consultants reported a recent five-year average effluent chloride concentration of about 118 mg/L; their target for reliable compliance is approximately 105 mg/L (the regulatory monthly average limit under the waste-discharge requirements is 110 mg/L). They estimated capital costs for the AWTF in prior planning exceeded $20 million with annual O&M greater than $1 million, and noted that targeted source controls could reduce load and operating costs for treatment. Betsy explained reintroducing buyback outreach and pairing it with industrial source control could reduce the municipal salt load materially, but that controlling discharges alone likely would not guarantee consistent compliance without treatment.
Councilmember Juarez moved to direct staff to prepare scopes and cost estimates for recommended source-control measures alongside the ongoing AWTF design (option 1); Crosswhite seconded and the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff will return with estimated approaches, costs and a timeline for pretreatment permits and outreach.
