Stormwater runoff regulation in the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Water Board) is enforced by the General Stormwater Unit and the Municipal Stormwater Unit. The Municipal Stormwater Unit administers the Phase I and Phase II municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits and the Caltrans MS4 Permit programs for the entire Region. The General Stormwater Unit administers the Industrial General Permit, the Construction General Permit, and the Scrap Metal Permit programs for the entire Region. The units regulate pollution in stormwater and non-stormwater discharges to waters of the U.S., including storm drains, rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and the ocean. The Clean Water Act requires the State/Regional Boards to regulate the discharge of stormwater from many sources. For the Phase I MS4 program, these sources included large (population greater than 250,000) and medium (population from 100,000 to 250,000) sized municipalities, most industrial sites, and construction activities on one acre or more. For the Phase II program, this includes public universities, large state and federal institutions, and certain state parks. Stormwater permits implement the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, statewater quality control plans and the Region’s Basin Plan. The Basin Plan implements Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) The stormwater permits implement those parts of TMDLs where a discharger of stormwater has been identified as a source of the pollutant causing the impairment and has been assigned a waste load allocation. Stormwater permits are issued on a statewide basis or a regional basis and are enforced by the local regional board. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) issued two General Permits (Stormwater Industrial General Permit and Stormwater Construction General Permit) to address most of the industrial facilities and the construction sites within California. In addition, the SWRCB issued two state-wide Municipal Permits, the Caltrans MS4 Permit and the Phase II MS4 Permit. These General Permits are available at the SWRCB's Stormwater Website. The Santa Ana Water Board adopted a sector-specific General Permit for stormwater discharges from certain industrial facilities identified by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 5093, specifically identifying metal scrap recyclers (excluding recycling facilities that only receive recyclable materials where no processes are performed on the metal scrap other than sorting, compaction, storage and transport). The Santa Ana Water Board has also issued a TMDL-specific permit for the cities of Claremont and Pomona, Order No. R8-2013-0043, NPDES Permit No. CA8000410. This Order implements the Bacterial Indicator TMDL for the Middle Santa Ana River watershed. Information on the Statewide stormwater permits may be obtained at the SWRCB's Stormwater Website. For information on facilities covered by individual permits issued by the Santa Ana Water Board or to review the files for the facilities covered either by the General Permits or by individual permits, please contact the file review desk at FileReview8@waterboards.ca.gov. Information can also be obtained through public user menu for the Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS). The Santa Ana Water Board has issued three MS4 permits to the three counties (Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino) and all the incorporated cities within the jurisdiction of this Board. Santa Ana Water Board staff is developing a draft Regional MS4 Permit to replace the three permits. Specific information about the stormwater programs at the Santa Ana Water Board can be found in the other tabs.
The Cities of Claremont and Pomona are located within the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (Los Angeles Water Board) geographic area. However, parts of the Cities’ storm drainage systems (also called municipal separate storm sewer systems or MS4s for short) discharge storm water and urban runoff to Reach 3 of the Santa Ana River. The Santa Ana River is within the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (Santa Ana Water Board) geographic area. Reach 3 of the Santa Ana River begins at Prado dam and extends upstream to the Mission Boulevard bridge. Reach 3 is also known as the Middle Santa Ana River.
The Middle Santa Ana River has a problem with bacteria levels that pose a hazard to recreational users. To reduce bacteria that is carried into the river from various sources, the Santa Ana Water Board established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to identify those sources and set deadlines to reduce their discharges of bacteria. One of the sources of bacteria are storm drain systems owned or operated by the cities in the watershed. This includes the MS4s that are owned and operated by the cities of Claremont and Pomona. Pollution from MS4s that are owned or operated by other cities in the Santa Ana Water Board’s geographic area are regulated by other stormwater permits.
Even though Claremont and Pomona are within the Los Angeles Water Board’s geographic area, an agreement was reached that the Santa Ana Water Board would be responsible for regulating bacteria in the MSAR that came from the cities of Claremont and Pomona. So, the Santa Ana Water Board issued a permit for the cities of Claremont and Pomona, Order No. R8-2013-0043, NPDES Permit No. CA8000410 (Permit). This Permit specifically implements the Bacterial Indicator Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Middle Santa Ana River (MSAR) watershed.
Now it is time to renew the Permit. The renewal process will include posting the draft permit on this website and a minimum 30-day comment period prior to adoption by the Santa Ana Water Board. The process may include public workshops in person or virtually.
If you are interested in learning more about this project or receiving notices about the availability of the draft permit, comment periods, workshops, and other outreach, please sign up for our mailing list using GovDelivery. Please select the “Region 8 – Stormwater – Claremont-Pomona Bacteria TMDL Permit” topic to receive notifications about this project
Board Workshop for Tentative MS4 Permit - The Santa Ana Water Board held a board workshop on September 13, 2024, to discuss and solicit feedback on the Tentative Permit. Santa Ana Water Board staff provided a presentation on MS4 permit requirements and frequent comment topics.Presentation materials from the attending Permittees and interested parties are available below:
Tentative NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Pollutants in Urban Runoff from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems in the Counties of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino (NPDES No. CAS618000) – On March 1, 2024, staff of the Santa Ana Water Board released a tentative permit for regulating discharges of pollutants in stormwater and urban runoff from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties on a regionwide basis. On March 5, 2024, staff of the Santa Ana Water Board announced the release of the tentative permit and a Board workshop in a message sent via GovDelivery. This message initiated a 60-day public comment period that would have ended May 4, 2024. A Board workshop occurred on March 15, 2024. In response to comments during the March 15th Board workshop, Santa Ana Water Board staff extended the public comment period deadline from May 4 to July 3, 2024. A staff report is also available that provides a non-technical summary of the draft permit:
Notice of Staff-Level Public Workshop for Tentative MS4 Permit - The Santa Ana Water Board held a staff-level public workshop on June 6, 2024 to discuss and solicit feedback on the Tentative Permit.
Notice of Staff-Level Public Workshop for Regional MS4 Staff Working Proposal - The Santa Ana Water Board held a staff-level public workshop on August 2, 2022 to discuss and solicit feedback on the Staff Working Proposal. An overview of the Region’s stormwater program and key provisions of the Staff Working Proposal were provided, with opportunity for questions and comments from permittees and other stakeholders. A quorum of Santa Ana Water Board members was present at the workshop; however, no Board action or voting was taken.
Staff Working Proposal for NPDES Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Pollutants in Urban Runoff from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems in the Counties of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino (NPDES No. CAS618000) – Staff of the Santa Ana Water Board released a staff working proposal for regulating discharges of pollutants in urban runoff from Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties on a regionwide basis.
To review the reports of waste discharge, please contact the file review desk at FileReview8@waterboards.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the proposed Regional MS4 Permit, please contact Hero Alexander (951) 782-4419 To receive updates about the proposed Regional MS4 Permit and other stormwater program-related information, please join a municipal stormwater e-mail list subscription.
NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED CITY OF ANAHEIM STORMWATER CREDIT PROGRAM FOR NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT AND WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR AREAWIDE URBAN STORMWATER RUNOFF WITHIN ORANGE COUNTY - The City of Anaheim has submitted a Stormwater Credit Program for review and approval by the Executive Officer. The Stormwater Credit Program would establish mechanisms, tracking, and controls to allow City-owned regional retention projects to generate “credits” that can be purchased by certain “new development/significant re-development” projects to satisfy the requirements set forth in the Orange County MS4 Permit. Stormwater Credit Program
The Orange County MS4 Permit, Order No. R8-2009-0030, NPDES Permit No. CAS618030, as amended by Order No. R8-2010-0062, is currently in effect. The previous orders, including Order No. R8-2002-0010, have been rescinded except for enforcement purposes for violations that occurred when they were in effect. The Model Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Technical Guidance Document (TGD) were developed by the Permittees according to section XII.C. of the current Order. These documents govern the development and implementation of post-construction pollution controls for certain new development and significant redevelopment as defined in the Order. The Order, WQMP, and TGD emphasize the use of controls that support Low Impact Development (LID). Both documents are subject to periodic updates and amendments, subject to the approval of the Executive Officer and after public review. The initial approval and updates are shown below:
Additional documents are available on request. These include prior rescinded orders, reports of waste discharge, annual reports, monitoring plans, Water Code section 13383 Orders implementing statewide Trash Provisions, designation agreements for entities that lie within the jurisdiction of multiple regional water boards, and the administrative record for the adoption of orders. For access to these documents, please contact the file review desk at FileReview8@waterboards.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the Orange County MS4 program, please contact Hero Alexander (951) 782-4419.
The Riverside County MS4 Permit, Order No. R8-2010-0033, NPDES Permit No. CAS618033 is currently in effect. The previous orders, including Order No. R8-2002-0011, have been rescinded except for enforcement purposes for violations that occurred when they were in effect. The Model Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Technical Guidance Document (TGD) were developed by the Permittees according to section XII.E. of the current Order. These documents govern the development and implementation of post-construction pollution controls for certain new development and significant redevelopment as defined in the Order. The Order, WQMP, and TGD emphasize the use of controls that support Low Impact Development (LID). Both documents are subject to periodic updates and amendments, subject to the approval of the Executive Officer and after public review. Proposed updates and approvals will be provided on this web page. Additional documents are available on request. These include prior rescinded orders, the Model WQMP and TGD, reports of waste discharge, annual reports, monitoring plans, the Comprehensive Nutrient Reduction Plan, the Comprehensive Bacteria Reduction Plan, Water Code section 13383 Orders implementing statewide Trash Provisions, designation agreements for entities that lie within the jurisdiction of multiple regional water boards, and the administrative record for the adoption of orders. For access to these documents, please contact the file review desk at FileReview8@waterboards.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the Riverside County MS4 program, please contact Hero Alexander (951) 782-4419.
The San Bernardino County MS4 Permit, Order No. R8-2010-0036, NPDES Permit No. CAS618036 is currently in effect. The previous orders, including Order No. R8-2002-0012, have been rescinded except for enforcement purposes for violations that occurred when they were in effect. The Model Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Technical Guidance Document (TGD) were developed by the Permittees according to section XI.E. of the current Order. These documents govern the development and implementation of post-construction pollution controls for certain new development and significant redevelopment as defined in the Order. The Order, WQMP, and TGD emphasize the use of controls that support Low Impact Development (LID). Both documents are subject to periodic updates and amendments, subject to the approval of the Executive Officer and after public review. Proposed updates and approvals will be provided on this web page. Additional documents are available on request. These include prior rescinded orders, the Model WQMP and TGD, reports of waste discharge, annual reports, monitoring plans, the Comprehensive Bacteria Reduction Plan, Water Code section 13383 Orders implementing statewide Trash Provisions, designation agreements for entities that lie within the jurisdiction of multiple regional water boards, and the administrative record for the adoption of orders. For access to these documents, please contact the file review desk at FileReview8@waterboards.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the San Bernardino County MS4 program, please contact Hero Alexander (951) 782-4419.
The Sector-Specific General Permit for Storm Water Runoff Associated with Industrial Activities from Scrap Metal Recycling Facilities, Order No. R8-2018-0069, NPDES Permit No.CAG618001, regulates storm water discharges and authorized non-storm water discharges from scrap metal recycling facilities. The Santa Ana Water Board implements and enforces the Scrap Metal Permit. The Permit was adopted by the Santa Ana Water Board on October 19, 2018 with an effective date of December 19, 2018. The Scrap Metal Permit requires that persons who develop or implement a facility's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and who prepare a Corrective Action Plan to have completed a Santa Ana Water Board-sponsored or approved training program. Further details are below:
Other useful documents:
For additional information regarding the Scrap Metal Permit program, please contact David Rosas (951 394-9476).
The Statewide General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities, Order 2014-0057-DWQ (Industrial General Permit) implements the federally required stormwater regulations in California for stormwater associated with industrial activities discharging to waters of the United States. The Industrial General Permit regulates discharges associated with 9 federally defined categories of industrial activities.
Dischargers whose projects disturb one (1) or more acres of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity Construction General Permit Order 2022-0057-DWQ. Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation, but does not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility.
Documents are in Adobe Acrobat format - viewer is available below.
(Page last updated 12/30/24)
Ex Parte Communications Do I Need a Permit? Fees Make a Payment Help / Business Help Grievance Procedure
Board Priorities Decisions Pending & Opportunities for Public Participation Employment Frequently Asked Questions Grants & Loans Laws / Regulations Plans / Policies Public Records Center
