Violation ID |
Occurrence Date |
Violation Type |
Violation Description(-) |
Violation Status |
Priority |
Source |
Facility Name |
Violated Reg. Meas. ID |
Violated Reg. Meas. Order No. |
Linked to Enf. |
1125033 |
12/22/2023 |
Order Conditions |
Per Section 3.1 of the WDR, discharge of treated wastewater at a location different from that described in the Order is prohibited. On Dec 22, 2023, at approx. 11:48 AM, a chlorinated secondary effluent spill occurred at the Warren Facility due to a broken wash water line. Chlorinated secondary effluent flowed from the Warren Facility into an LA County flood control storm drain catch basin. The spill then flowed into the Wilmington Drain which discharges into Machado Lake. Sandbag containment was deployed at approx. 1:06 PM to completely stop the spill from entering the storm drain. The total amount of chlorinated secondary effluent that entered the storm drain is approx. 18600 gal. Per Section 7.1.2.y of the WDR, if a discharger does not comply or will be unable to comply for any reason, with any prohibition of this Order that may endanger health or the environment, the Discharger shall notify the Manager of the Watershed Regulatory Section at the Los Angeles Regional Board (RB) by telephone, within 24 hours of having knowledge of such noncompliance and shall confirm this notification in writing within 5 days, unless the RB waives confirmation. RB staff was notified of the exceedance on Dec 22, 2023, at 2:30 PM, within 24-hours of receiving the preliminary notification. An email confirmation was sent to the RB on Dec 27, 2023, within 5 days of receiving the spill notification. No impacts to human health, the environment, or beneficial uses of surface water are anticipated from the incident. The discharge consisted of disinfected secondary effluent, and residual chlorine was expected to have been reduced or otherwise dissipated in the storm drain before reaching Wilmington Drain over 3,600 feet away, or Machado Lake at almost 5,000 feet. No negative impacts were observed during biological observations taken on Dec 22, 2023. Warren Facility maintenance staff replaced the corroded pipe and a project has been initiated to replace and relocate the wash water line. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility |
452398 |
R4-2023-0181 |
N |
1125032 |
12/31/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section 3.1 and 4.1 of the permit, Aldrin and Dieldrin shall be analyzed monthly in the effluent. An effluent sample was not collected in December 2024 because the December sampling pre-logins were not updated correctly. A make-up sample has been collected on January 24, 2024, and will be included in the January 2024 monthly NPDES report. To prevent the issue from reoccurring, the laboratory has reviewed and updated the LIMS profiles, pre-logins, and templates to ensure that all required parameters will be collected and analyzed. In addition, all samples collected will be reviewed to verify that all required parameters have been scheduled. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility |
452398 |
R4-2023-0181 |
N |
1125030 |
01/04/2024 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section I of the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform result in the recycled water sample collected on January 4 was invalidated due to a laboratory error in which the analyst left the bacterial culture tubes outside of the incubator after the 24-hours read time. All other coliform results for the month were either non-detect or 1 CFU/100 mL, therefore, this result was expected to be within normal ranges. Laboratory staff were reminded of proper procedures. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
134831 |
81-034 |
N |
1125029 |
01/08/2024 |
Order Conditions |
An unauthorized recycled water discharge of a maximum of 9,000 gallons occurred on January 8 from roughly 7:10 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. at the Sanitation Districts' Spadra Landfill located at 4125 West Valley Boulevard in the city of Walnut. The Sanitation Districts notified the Regional Board at 3:45 p.m. on January 8, with a follow up letter on January 12. The unauthorized discharge originated from a below-grade recycled water distribution line near Bench 5 of the landfill on the southwestern side of the facility. The discharge occurred due to a crack in a Victaulic pipe connection fitting which allowed the line to separate, discharging recycled water into the soil. The pipe separation led to surface runoff downslope and into the storm drain prior to the pipeline being isolated. The leak was observed at approximately 7:10 a.m. on January 8, and continued until approximately 7:30 a.m. the same day, when site staff isolated the line. Recycled water was discharged into the soil until it became saturated, emanated from the surface and began to flow approximately 400 feet down the bench road before entering a catch basin. The discharge then flowed another approximately 600 feet before entering a Los Angeles County Department of Public Works storm drain. This storm drain ultimately discharges into the San Jose Creek. The recycled water produced at the Pomona WRP is suitable for discharge to the San Jose Creek per its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (Order No. R4-2021-0097), therefore no impacts to public health or the environment are expected. Staff reported that there was little flow in the San Jose Creek channel and there were no indications that fish or wildlife had been adversely impacted; therefore, there were no observed biological impacts from the discharge. To minimize reoccurrence of similar events, the Sanitation Districts will investigate the installation of above-grade recycled water lines and initiate a Victaulic fitting inspection program. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
134831 |
81-034 |
N |
1124195 |
11/22/2023 |
Order Conditions |
Per Section 3.1 of the permit, discharge of treated wastewater at a location different from that described in the Order is prohibited. On November 22, 2023, at approximately 2:03 PM, a chlorinated secondary effluent spill occurred at the Warren facility due to a broken wash water line. Chlorinated secondary effluent flowed from the Warren Facility into an LA County flood control storm drain catch basin. The spill then flowed from the storm drain into the Wilmington Drain which discharges to Machado Lake. Sandbag containment was deployed at approximately 4:00 PM to completely stop the spill from entering the storm drain. The total amount of chlorinated secondary effluent that entered the storm drain is approximately 4500 gallons. Per Section 7.1.2.y of the permit, the Discharger shall notify the Manager of the Watershed Regulatory Section at the Los Angeles Water Board by telephone, within 24 hours of having knowledge of noncompliance and shall confirm this notification in writing within 5 days, unless the Los Angeles Water Board waives confirmation. LA Regional Water Quality Control Board staff was notified of the prohibited discharge on November 22, 2023, at 6:00 PM, within 24-hours of receiving the preliminary notification. An email confirmation of the notification was sent to the Regional Board on November 27, 2023, within 5 days of receiving the spill notification. No impacts to human health, the environment, or beneficial uses of surface water are anticipated from the incident. The discharge consisted of only disinfected secondary effluent, and residual chlorine was expected to have been reduced or otherwise dissipated in the storm drain before reaching Wilmington Drain over 3,600 feet away, or Machado Lake at almost 5,000 feet. No negative impacts were observed during biological observations taken on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Warren Facility maintenance staff replaced the corroded pipe to prevent reoccurrence. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility |
452398 |
R4-2023-0181 |
N |
1123165 |
10/18/2023 |
Surface Water |
Per Section 5.1.21 of the WDR, there shall be no chronic toxicity in ambient waters as a result of wastes discharged. The Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic toxicity test initiated for receiving water station RSW-002 on October 11 failed the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) with a 30.3% reproduction effect and 60.0% survival effect in undiluted receiving water. Dr. Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Watershed Regulatory Section, was immediately notified via voicemail at 4:44 p.m. on October 18, followed by written notification on October 23. High total chlorine residual from Long Beach WRP was initially reported as a potential source of the receiving water toxicity. Upon further review of the Long Beach WRP final effluent chlorine residual monitoring data from October 13, the source of the receiving water toxicity is unknown . Biological observations were conducted immediately, noting the presence of fish and birds, with no negative impacts observed. Two subsequent chronic toxicity compliance samples were taken in October and passed the TST (see details in the Receiving Water section below). Effluent toxicity samples for the month of October passed the TST with a -1.3% reproduction effect and -5.3% survival effect. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Long Beach WRP |
447474 |
R4-2022-0032 |
N |
1122428 |
10/11/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section I of the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform result in the recycled water sample collected on October 11 was invalidated because of improper sample incubation procedure. The analyst failed to write down the read time on the lab bench sheet and was unable to verify the correct duration of the incubation period. Throughout the month, the coliform results were typically non-detectable, except for five separate instances in which it was recorded at 1 CFU/100mL. Therefore, this result was expected to be within normal range and in compliance with the WRRs. To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Laboratory staff will double check that the sample data is properly filled out on the bench sheet. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
134831 |
81-034 |
N |
1121673 |
09/23/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section I of the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform result in the recycled water sample collected on September 23 was invalidated because of improper sample incubation procedure. Throughout the month, the coliform results were typically non-detectable, except for one instance in which it was recorded at 2 CFU/100 mL and three other separate instances where it was recorded at 1 CFU/100 mL. Therefore, this result was expected to be within normal range. To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Laboratory senior staff revisited the procedure with the analyst. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
134831 |
81-034 |
N |
1120978 |
07/31/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In July, a chloride sample was not taken at RSW-002 due to a sample scheduling error. The monthly effluent chloride sample in July was 155 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. A make-up sample was taken in September and the result will be included in that month¿s report. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Long Beach WRP |
447474 |
R4-2022-0032 |
N |
1120972 |
07/24/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section 4 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed daily for Total Residual Chlorine. The Total Residual Chlorine result from the effluent sample collected on July 24 was invalid because the sample was not analyzed within the appropriate laboratory holding time. A make-up sample could not be collected due to lack of effluent flow after initial collection. Laboratory staff have reviewed procedures for tracking samples during handling and to complete analyses within the required holding time in the future. During this period, the Pomona WRP was operating under normal conditions; thus, this parameter is expected to be within normal range on this day. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
432902 |
R4-2021-0097 |
N |
1120968 |
08/21/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section I of the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform result in the recycled water sample collected on August 21 was invalidated because the bacterial plate was discarded by the lab analyst before confirming two colonies. All other coliform results for the month were either non-detect or, in one occurrence, 2 CFU/100 mL, therefore, this result was expected to be within normal ranges. To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Laboratory senior staff revisited the procedure with the analyst. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
134831 |
81-034 |
N |
1120063 |
06/27/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Daily Maximum limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120062 |
06/15/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Daily Maximum limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-002. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120061 |
06/30/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Monthly Median limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120060 |
06/30/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Monthly Median limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-002. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120059 |
06/27/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Daily Maximum limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-002. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120058 |
06/15/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Daily Maximum limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
1120040 |
06/07/2023 |
Deficient Monitoring |
Per Section 8.1 of the MRP, samples shall be collected semiannually for Mercury. Due to laboratory oversight, samples collected on June 7 from receiving water stations RSW-001D (R-A), RSW-002D (R-C) and RSW-003D (R-D) were invalidated because an older analytical method was used analyze the samples. To prevent this oversight from reoccurring, laboratory personnel have updated internal procedures to specify the correct sampling method for mercury. Make-up samples were collected on July 20, 2023 and results will be included in the July report. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
Pomona Water Reclamation Plant |
432902 |
R4-2021-0097 |
N |
1119197 |
05/23/2023 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Reproduction Monthly Median limit is 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001. |
Violation |
N |
eSMR |
San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant |
443109 |
R4-2021-0131 |
N |
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