Bacterial Objectives

State Water Boards Bacterial Objectives

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted new statewide bacteria water quality objectives and implementation options to protect recreational users from the effects of pathogens in California water bodies. The objectives and implementation options are a new part 3 of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California, and as an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for Oceans Waters of California.

Final Documents

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Approval

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) approved the amendments to update the bacteria objectives on March 22, 2019. The amendments are consistent with the requirements of section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act and 40 C.F.R. Part 131.

Office of Administrative Law Approval

The Office of Administrative Law approved State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2018-0038 pursuant to section 11353 of the Government Code on February 4, 2019. This is the effective date under state law. The water quality standards and policies that generally affect the application and implementation of water quality standards will not become effective for Clean Water Act purposes until approved by U.S. EPA.

Available Documents Associated with August 7, 2018 State Water Board Meeting

Previously Released Documents

  • Agenda Item and Draft Resolution for Adoption - (posted 01/26/2018)
  • Revised Proposed Final Part 3 of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California—Bacteria Provisions and a Water Quality Standards Variance Policy - (posted 01/26/2018)
  • Revised Proposed Final Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California—Bacteria Provisions and a Water Quality Standards Variance Policy - (posted 01/26/2018)
  • Updated Notice Of Document Availability - (posted 01/18/2018)
  • Proposed Final Part 3 of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California—Bacteria Provisions and a Water Quality Standards Variance Policy - (posted 01/18/2018)
  • Proposed Final Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California—Bacteria Provisions and a Water Quality Standards Variance Policy - (posted 01/18/2018)
  • Proposed Final Staff Report, including Substitute Environmental Documentation for the Bacteria Provisions - (posted 01/18/2018)
  • Comment Summary and Responses - (posted 01/18/2018)
  • Revised Notice of Consideration - (posted 12/01/2017)
  • Notice of Consideration - (posted 11/2/2017)
  • Comment Letters
  • Staff Workshop Power Point Presentation - (posted 07/10/2017)
  • Draft Staff Report - (posted 06/30/2017)
  • Draft Bacteria Provisions - (posted 06/30/2017)
  • Economics Analysis - (posted 06/27/2017)
  • Revised Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment, Staff Workshop, Public Hearing and Notice of Filing - (posted 06/15/2017)
  • Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment, Staff Workshop, Public Hearing and Notice of Filing - (posted 05/31/2017)
  • Notice of Variance Policy Scoping Meeting
  • Variance Policy Scoping Document
  • Variance Policy Scoping Meeting Power Point Presentation
  • Scoping Document - 2015
  • Scoping Notice - 2015
  • Scoping Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
  • CDPH Uniform Guidelines for Sewage Disinfection

    • Focus Group Outreach

    Focus Group Meeting were held to obtain early input on the scope of the proposed bacteria objectives.

    Existing statutes and regulations

    • Ocean Beaches AB 411, Chaptered into law in 1997 added Sections 115880-115915 to the California Health and Safety Code.
      These statutes (AB411 is the shorthand) are for the California beach water quality monitoring program that samples fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and provides public notification if it is safe to swim based at 476 California coastal and San Francisco Bay saltwater beaches.
    • U.S. EPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria
      U.S. EPA's nationally recommended Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC) protect human health in inland and coastal waters. The criteria are designed to protect primary contact recreation, such as swimming, surfing, and diving.
    • CDPH Beaches and Recreational Waters
      The California Department of Public Health provides links to the Regulations (based on AB411 statutes) and guidance material to assist local health agencies in addressing microbiological contamination of fresh and saltwater beaches and recreational waters.
    • US EPA Nationwide Bacteria Standards Protect Swimmers at Beaches
      A 2004 US EPA overview of the implementation of Beach safety programs nationwide based on the 2000 BEACH Act.

    Staff Contacts

    Lori Webber, Program Manager
    Lori Webber@waterboards.ca.gov
    (916) 341-5736
    Karen Black (Ocean Waters)
    Karen.Black@waterboards.ca.gov
    (916) 341-6899

     

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