Basin Plan Amendment to Support Nutrient Reductions

Map of San Francisco Bay showing extent of project area

Background

The Water Board adopted the Nutrients Watershed Permit (Order R2-2024-0013 that imposed for the first time new total inorganic nitrogen effluent limitations on publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) to San Francisco Bay. The limits were necessary since nutrients fueled the massive harmful algae bloom of Heterosigma akashiwo in the late summer of 2022. That bloom caused widespread fish kills, including protected green and white sturgeon. The new nitrogen limits are 40 percent below the POTWs’ 2022 loads, and the permit includes ten-year compliance schedules consistent with the Compliance Schedule Policy. However, this timeframe may not allow enough time for multi-benefit solutions and innovative technologies to reduce nitrogen loads. Therefore, the Water Board also adopted Resolution R2-2024-0014 Resolution to Identify and Consider Regulatory Mechanisms to Extend Compliance Schedules for Nutrient Effluent Limitations, which directed Water Board staff to investigate regulatory options to encourage multi-benefit solutions by allowing longer compliance schedules due to the additional challenges associated with interagency agreements, multiagency permitting, and land acquisition.

In response, the Water Board determined that pursuing a non-TMDL Basin Plan amendment to grant these projects more time was the best path forward. This amendment’s scope is narrow and includes additional guardrails to ensure compliance as soon as possible. The amendment allows extensions beyond ten years for a narrow set of multi-benefit and conventional biological nutrient reduction projects.

Project Documents and Notices

CEQA Scoping
Water Board staff will hold a public workshop and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) scoping meeting on July 23 to seek public input on the scope, content, and potential environmental effects of amending the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Basin (Basin Plan) to support nutrient reductions from wastewater treatment plants also known as publicly-owned treatment works. Members of the public will be able to listen to and watch the meeting using the link provided in this notice and ask questions or make comments at the meeting. Additional information including the project description, project location, and meeting format can be found in the notice.

Public Workshop and CEQA scoping meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5:00pm on July 23, 2026
Written CEQA scoping comments are due by August 6, 2026, at 5:00pm

Tribal Consultation and Public Outreach

California Native American Tribes and Environmental Justice communities are involved in developing this amendment through direct outreach and meetings. The Water Board will continue engaging with these groups and other stakeholders.

How to Stay Informed

Subscribe to the Basin Plan email list by visiting the State Board's GovDelivery page, and select the box “All Basin Planning / TMDL” under “Basin Planning / TMDL” or check this webpage for updates.

Contact Information

For questions or to request additional information, please contact:

Kevin Lunde
Environmental Program Manager
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Email: Kevin.Lunde@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (510) 622-2431

(Page last updated 7/7/26)

Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.

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