Emerging Constituents Workgroup
In April, 2008 the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board endorsed the voluntary Cooperative Agreement submitted by several water agencies serving the area. In the Cooperative Agreement, the water agencies proposed to develop a plan to investigate "emerging constituents" in water that is intentionally recharged to local aquifers.
SAWPA is serving as administrator for the Emerging Constituent Workgroup.
- Definition
- Overview
- Meeting Summaries
- Contact Us
In general, the phrase "emerging contaminants" refers to a relatively large group of man-made chemical compounds for which EPA has not yet recommended a 304(a) water quality criteria, nor has the State Water Resources Control Board or Regional Water Quality Control Board enacted a numeric water quality objective or a numeric translator for relevant narrative objectives, nor has the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) adopted a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). These compounds are also sometimes called "emerging contaminants/pollutants" and/or "unregulated chemicals" and/or "emerging chemicals-of-concern." These are terms-of-art reflecting the uncertainty associated with potential hazards, if any, from exposure to such constituents.
The signatories to the Cooperative Agreement agreed to establish a Workgroup to design and implement the proposed study of emerging constituents. The initial investigation is divided into two phases. Phase 1 will survey current water quality monitoring programs, regulatory issues, stakeholder concerns, analytical methods and the state-of-the-science with respect to potential public health and environmental impacts. Phase 1 will culminate in a written report to the Regional Board characterizing the Workgroup's preliminary findings. The Workgroup committed to submit the Phase 1 report to the Regional Board in December of 2008.
Phase 2 will develop an appropriate water quality characterization program designed to address the concerns raised by regulatory agencies and other stakeholders throughout the watershed. At the conclusion of Phase 2, the Workgroup committed to submit written recommendations, including a plan to implement those recommendations, to the Regional Board by December, 2009. In the event the Workgroup fails to meet its self-imposed deadline, the Santa Ana River Dischargers Association has agreed to implement an alternative monitoring program for emerging constituents as described in the adoption resolution for R8-2008-0019
Meeting Summaries and Materials
Mark Norton (951) 354-4221