Water Quality Standards Task Force

Background

In May 2017, CAWCD Board President Lisa Atkins announced the establishment of the “Water Quality Standards Task Force,” which is chaired and comprised of CAWCD Board Members. The scope of the Task Force is to review the legal, operational and policy considerations related to the quality of Non-Project Water that is introduced into the CAP System. The goal is to develop recommended standards for approval by the full Board and Reclamation.  Establishing uniform standards is one of the necessary implementation steps for the CAP System Use Agreement.

Conclusion

The Water Quality Standards Task Force has concluded as of the Board meeting on February 7, 2019.  The Board approved the recommendation of the Task Force on the numeric standards for an expanded list of water quality constituents.

The Board had previously approved (June 7, 2018) the Consensus Proposal on Water Quality Standards.  The Consensus Proposal outlines a framework for managing the quality of Non-Project Water that is introduced in the CAP system, including major water quality program elements and numeric criteria for six key constituents.

In addition, staff committed to follow-on implementation steps, including development of guidance documentation, ongoing engagement with stakeholders, and coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Meetings

Meeting #1 “Overview & Context” (5/24/2017)

• Agenda
• Presentations:
  - Purpose and Scope of Task Force
  - System Use Agreement and Related Contractual Provisions
  - Current Quality of CAP Water and CAP’s Monitoring Program
  - Review of Proposal from 2014 Wheeling Stakeholder Process
  - Video

Meeting #2 “Review of Standards and Operations” (6/6/2017)

• Agenda
• Reference Map
• Presentations:
  - Bureau of Reclamation Policies and Issues
  - Water Quality Standards Under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act
  - Overview of Water Treatment Options/Technologies
  - Scottsdale’s Harquahala Groundwater Project
  - Direct Recovery From Tonopah Desert Recharge Project
  - Water Quality Management in the Salt River Project
  - City of Phoenix Water Treatment Issues
  - City of Chandler Water Treatment Issues
  - Gila River Indian Community Issues (video; begins at 2hr 15min)
  - City of Tucson Issues
• Process for Submission of Comments and Proposals
• Video

Meeting #3 (9/12/2017, 9-11 AM)

• Agenda
• Presentation:
  - Water Quality Standards for Non-project Water - A Stakeholders Proposal

Meeting #4 (2/8/2018, 10 AM-12 PM)

• Agenda
• Presentations:
  - Update on Process and Activities
  - Update on Stakeholder Proposal
  - Analysis and Concepts Under Consideration
  
• Video

Meeting #5 (5/10/2018, 10 AM)

• Agenda
• Presentations:
  - Discussion and Possible Consideration of Action to Approve Consensus Proposal for Water Quality Standards
  
• Video

CAWCD Board Briefing (6/8/2017)

• “5.e. Water Quality Standards Task Force“ (video; begins at 56 min.)
  
  

Meeting #6 (1/17/2019, 12:30 PM)

• Agenda and Packet
• Minutes
• Video
  
  

Board Approval (02/07/2019)

• Discussion and Consideration of Action on Delivery and Introduction Standards for a Broad Suite of Water Quality Constituents

Reference Material