Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name: San Gabriel River Reach 1 (Estuary to Firestone)
Water Body ID: CAR4051501019980917144356
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
7046
 
Pollutant: Coliform Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 55 of 386 samples exceeded the Basin Plan single sample water quality objectives for indicator bacteria in fresh water and 28 out of 82 samples exceeded the Basin Plan geometric mean water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7046
 
LOE ID: 25294
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 386
Number of Exceedances: 55
 
Data and Information Type: Other Agencies/Organizations provided monitoring data
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 55 of 386 samples exceeded the Basin Plan single sample water quality objectives for indicator bacteria in fresh water and 28 of 82 samples exceeded the Basin Plan geometric mean water quality objective. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for indicator bacteria in accordance with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan bacteria objectives state that to protect water contact recreation in fresh waters individual samples shall not exceed the following limits: fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400/100 ml; and E. coli density shall not exceed 235/100 ml. The bacteria objectives also establish that the geometric means of individual samples shall not exceed the following limits: the fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200/100 ml; and the E. coli density shall not exceed 126/100 ml, as a geometric mean. The bacteria objectives are found in Attachment A of Regional Board Resolution No. 2001-018.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel River Reach 1 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station RA2 located downstream of the confluence of the eastern and western low flow channel; station R31 located 100 feet upstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; station R4 located at Artesia Boulevard, downstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; and station R9W located at at the downstream end of the pavement lining (near Atherton Street) in the western low flow channel.
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on a weekly and monthly basis from June 2004 to February 2007
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0054119) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0054119 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)
 
LOE ID: 4146
 
Pollutant: Coliform Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
4806
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2009
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 205 of 675 samples exceeded the Basin Plan water quality objectives for pH in inland surface water bodies and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 4806
 
LOE ID: 25299
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 391
Number of Exceedances: 120
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 120 of 391 samples exceeded the Basin Plan water quality objectives for pH in inland surface water bodies. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for pH in accordance with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan states, "pH of inland surface waters shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5 as a result of wastes discharges."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel River Reach 1 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station R2 located near Firestone Boulevard; station R31 located 100 feet upstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; station R4 located at Artesia Boulevard, downstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; and station R9W located at at the downstream end of the pavement lining (near Atherton Street) in the western low flow channel.
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on a daily and weekly basis from December 2004 to February 2007
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0054119) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0054119 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)
 
LOE ID: 2454
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 284
Number of Exceedances: 85
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Eighty-five samples of 284 total samples exceed the pH objective (LACSD, 2004b).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan: The pH of inland surface waters shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5 as a result of waste discharges. Ambient pH levels shall not be changed more than 0.5 units from natural conditions as a result of waste discharge.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Six stations.
Temporal Representation: Measurements were taken weekly between June 2003 and November 2004.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: NPDES quality assurance.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
4168
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

A remedial program other than a TMDL has been developed, approved, and is being implemented. This program is expected to result in attainment of the standard. This water segment-pollutant combination was moved off the section 303(d) list during the 2002 listing cycle.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Nine of 173 samples exceed the 30-day average objective for ammonia and zero of 703 samples exceed the one-hour average objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 4168
 
LOE ID: 2447
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: An alternative enforceable program is in place that will address ammonia water quality standards exceedances for this reach. In June 1995, the seven water reclamation plants discharging in the San Gabriel River and Santa Clara River watersheds received NPDES permits requirements regarding compliance with the Basin Plan water quality objectives for ammonia. In accordance with these permits, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts have been pursuing the addition of nitrification and denitrification facilities at each of these plants to comply with the ammonia objectives. By June 2003, it is expected that these new
facilities will be operational and ammonia will be drastically reduced. Research facility operation shows that the monthly average ammonia concentration will fully comply with the chronic ammonia objective that are expected to be applicable in June 2003.

It is probable that the majority of ammonia discharged to this water body
was contributed by POTWs. Information in the record indicates that the
majority (over 95%) of the ammonia in the Los Angeles River was
contributed by POTWs. It is probable that the contribution in the San
Gabriel River watershed is dominated by contributions from POTWs as
well. Generally, concentrations of ammonia upstream of the treatment
plants is much lower than downstream concentrations (up to an order of
magnitude difference).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 2448
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 113
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Six of 113 samples exceed the 30-day average water quality objective and none of 458 samples exceed the one-hour average water quality objective (LACSD, 2006).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Los Angeles RWQCB Basin Plan Amendment 2003: The one-hour average objective is dependent on pH and the presence or absence of early life stages of fish (ELS) but not temperature. The 30-day average objective is dependent on pH, temperature and ELS [Tables 3-1 to 3-3].
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: USEPA "1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia".
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Four stations were sampled.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from June 2003 through November 2005. New management practices were begun at the beginning of this period and may have resulted in a change in water quality. Water quality measurements collected before the implementation of management measures were not considered representative of current conditions.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 26853
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Preservation of Rare & Endangered Species | Wetland Habitat | Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 60
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of 60 samples exceeded the one-hour objective and zero of 245 samples exceeded 30-day average objective for ammonia. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for ammonia in accordance with the Long Beach Waste Water Reclamation Plant permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan states, "In order to protect aquatic life, ammonia concentrations in inland surface waters characteristic of freshwater shall not exceed the values calculated for the appropriate instream conditions shown in Tables 3-1 – 3-3." The one-hour average objective is dependent on pH and the presence or absence of early life stages of fish (ELS) but not temperature. The 30-day average objective is dependent on pH, temperature and ELS in Tables 3-1 to 3-3. The ammonia objectives and the pH and temperature dependent formula are found in Attachment A of Regional Board Resolution No. 2002-011.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel River Reach 1 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station R2 located near Firestone Boulevard; station R31 located 100 feet upstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; station R4 located at Artesia Boulevard, downstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; and station R9W located at at the downstream end of the pavement lining (near Atherton Street) in the western low flow channel.
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on a weekly basis from December 2005 to January 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0054119) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0054119 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)
 
DECISION ID
12052
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 121 of 132 samples exceed the California Code of Regulations secondary MCL for Total Dissolved Solids and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 12052
 
LOE ID: 25301
 
Pollutant: Total Dissolved Solids
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 132
Number of Exceedances: 121
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 121 of 132 samples exceeded the Basin Plan water quality objectives for Total Dissolved Solids in inland surface water bodies. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for Total Dissolved Solids in accordance with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Code of Regulations' Table 64449-B lists a recommended maximum contamination level (secondary MCL) of 500 mg/L for Total Dissolved Solids to the protect drinking water sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15. Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring. http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Pages/Lawbook.aspx
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel River Reach 1 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station R2 located near Firestone Boulevard; station R31 located 100 feet upstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; station R4 located at Artesia Boulevard, downstream of the Los Coyotes discharge point; and station R9W located at at the downstream end of the pavement lining (near Atherton Street) in the western low flow channel.
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on a daily and weekly basis from June 2004 to February 2007
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0054119) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0054119 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)