Violations
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| Violation ID |
Occurred Date |
Violation Type |
(-) Violation Description |
Corrective Action |
Status |
Classification |
Source |
| 1138933 |
10/20/2024 |
OEV |
Total Coliform Single Sample Maximum limit is 240 MPN/100 mL and reported value was 241 MPN/100 mL at EFF-001A. |
Per Section 4.1 of the WDR, the wastes discharged shall be adequately disinfected at all times such that no sample shall exceed 240 colony forming units (CFU) of total coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters. On October 20, 2024, laboratory staff collected an effluent sample for total coliform analysis at 10:32 a.m. and the result was too-numerous-to-count (TNTC). Although laboratory staff could not quantify that the concentration of total coliform was greater than 240 CFU/100mL, the TNTC result indicates that the total coliform limit was exceeded. There were no WRP operational issues at the time of the exceedance and the effluent chlorine residual concentrations and turbidity readings were within normal ranges. The chlorine modal contact time was over 450 milligram-minutes per liter on that day. This indicates the effluent was adequately disinfected at the time the high total coliform result was recorded. All total coliform results for the days preceding and after this exceedance were non-detect (less than 1 CFU/100 mL). Although the cause of the elevated total coliform result was not identified, operations staff will continue to ensure the effluent is properly disinfected. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1118442 |
04/04/2023 |
DMON |
Per Section 4.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed monthly for oil and grease. Results from the effluent sample collected on April 4 were invalid because the lab analyzed the incorrect sample. As a corrective action the lab will verify the correct sample bottle is being used both before and after the extraction process. Previously, the lab only verified the bottles before the extraction. Additionally, following the completion of the analysis, an analyst familiar with the method will promptly conduct a peer review. A make-up sample was collected on May 5 and the result will be included in the May report. |
Per Section 4.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed monthly for oil and grease. Results from the effluent sample collected on April 4 were invalid because the lab analyzed the incorrect sample. As a corrective action the lab will verify the correct sample bottle is being used both before and after the extraction process. Previously, the lab only verified the bottles before the extraction. Additionally, following the completion of the analysis, an analyst familiar with the method will promptly conduct a peer review. A make-up sample was collected on May 5 and the result will be included in the May report. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1116686 |
02/28/2023 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, final effluent shall be analyzed monthly for dissolved oxygen. In February, effluent samples were inadvertently not collected or analyzed for dissolved oxygen. A make-up sample will be collected in May and the result will be included in the May monthly compliance report. As a corrective action, a senior analyst will double check with the technicians for all pending analysis before the end of each month and the lab will utilize the search function in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to weed out any pending samples/analysis after their routine monthly collection. The lab will also verify the correct sample bottle is being used both before and after the extraction process, and following the completion of the analysis, a peer review will be promptly conducted. |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, final effluent shall be analyzed monthly for dissolved oxygen. In February, effluent samples were inadvertently not collected or analyzed for dissolved oxygen. A make-up sample will be collected in May and the result will be included in the May monthly compliance report. As a corrective action, a senior analyst will double check with the technicians for all pending analysis before the end of each month and the lab will utilize the search function in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to weed out any pending samples/analysis after their routine monthly collection. The lab will also verify the correct sample bottle is being used both before and after the extraction process, and following the completion of the analysis, a peer review will be promptly conducted. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1103042 |
01/31/2022 |
DMON |
Per Section III.A.1 or IV.A.1 of the MRP, influent and effluent samples shall be analyzed semi-annually for dioxins and radiochemistry. Influent and effluent samples were not collected or analyzed during the month of January because the Districts¿ lab information system was being updated and did not repopulate dioxins. Make-up samples will be collected in April and the results will be included in the April report. As a corrective action, during the next system update all parameters will be double checked against permit requirements. |
Per Section III.A.1 or IV.A.1 of the MRP, influent and effluent samples shall be analyzed semi-annually for dioxins and radiochemistry. Influent and effluent samples were not collected or analyzed during the month of January because the Districts¿ lab information system was being updated and did not repopulate dioxins. Make-up samples will be collected in April and the results will be included in the April report. As a corrective action, during the next system update all parameters will be double checked against permit requirements. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1099033 |
10/18/2021 |
DMON |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, surfactant (MBAS) samples shall be analyzed monthly. Results from a Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, surfactant (MBAS) samples shall be analyzed monthly. Results from receiving water samples RSW-002 (R-4) and RSW-003 (R9-W) collected on October 18 were invalid due to the use of an expired standard. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. As a corrective action, staff were reminded to check expiration dates on the standards used as well as check the record keeping system to ensure that there are no expired samples in use.
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, oil and grease samples shall be analyzed monthly. Results from receiving water samples RSW-002 (R-4) and RSW-003 (R9-W) collected on October 18 were invalid due to the tare weight not being recorded. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. As a corrective action, staff were asked to re-review standard operating procedures, which includes recording tare-weight.
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Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, surfactant (MBAS) samples shall be analyzed monthly. Results from receiving water samples RSW-002 (R-4) and RSW-003 (R9-W) collected on October 18 were invalid due to the use of an expired standard. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. As a corrective action, staff were reminded to check expiration dates on the standards used as well as check the record keeping system to ensure that there are no expired samples in use.
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, oil and grease samples shall be analyzed monthly. Results from receiving water samples RSW-002 (R-4) and RSW-003 (R9-W) collected on October 18 were invalid due to the tare weight not being recorded. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. As a corrective action, staff were asked to re-review standard operating procedures, which includes recording tare-weight.
|
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1097983 |
09/30/2021 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. Results from a total coliform effluent sample collected on September 30 were invalid because the result was read outside the required incubation period. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analysts will double-check all of the times written on their data sheets to make sure they correlate with each other and meet the 22-24 hour incubation period. |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. Results from a total coliform effluent sample collected on September 30 were invalid because the result was read outside the required incubation period. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analysts will double-check all of the times written on their data sheets to make sure they correlate with each other and meet the 22-24 hour incubation period. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1097984 |
09/23/2021 |
CTOX |
Chronic Toxicity-C.dubia-Survival Monthly Median limit is 0 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) and reported value was 1 Pass/Fail (Pass = 0, Fail = 1) at EFF-001A. |
Per Section IV.A.1.a of the WDR, the effluent exceeds the chronic toxicity monthly median effluent limit (MMEL) when the monthly median result fails the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) . The effluent chronic toxicity MMEL was exceeded for September 2021 at the Los Coyotes WRP based upon the results of a single, valid, chronic toxicity test. Regional Board staff were immediately notified by telephone at 2:25 PM on September 30, followed by written notification on October 5. The failing toxicity test was initiated on September 23, 2021 using 24-hour composite samples collected on September 22, 24, and 27 2021 and failed the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) with a 18.1% reproduction effect in undiluted effluent. The SJCWQL also initiated a Los Coyotes WRP toxicity test on September 9. 2021, however, this test was invalidated due to a sample being held for several hours above allowable temperature limits. Had this test not been invalidated, the results would have been identified as non-toxic using the TST. In response to this exceedance, the Sanitation Districts initiated accelerated testing on October 5; results from all tests are provided in the corresponding monthly reports. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1096512 |
08/11/2021 |
Surface Water |
The receiving water sample collected at RSW-002 (R4) on August 11 exceeded the calculated 30-day average Basin Plan objective for ammonia. Because the compliance sample for effluent ammonia was collected earlier in the month, a concurrent effluent sample result for ammonia is not available. This incident was verified on Nov 5, and notification was provided to the Regional Board via telephone the same day at 1:58 p.m. Written confirmation was submitted on Nov 10. Although the receiving water sample exceeded the calculated 30-day average Basin Plan objective, the concentration observed was in compliance with the 4-day average Basin Plan objective for ammonia. Ammonia water quality objectives in the receiving water are calculated automatically in the Districts¿ Laboratory Management System so that an alert can be issued if objectives are exceeded. Due to a system error, Districts staff were not notified of this exceedance until the data was reviewed on Nov 5 during routine preparation of the monthly report. Upon confirmation of the exceedance, the Districts reviewed operational records and conditions at the Los Coyotes WRP at the time of the incident and have determined that all treatment processes were normal. On the day of the exceedance, the sampling crew observed that conditions were normal at RSW-002. Ammonia concentrations in the plants secondary treatment effluent on that day were within the typical range for plant operations, which indicates that the receiving water ammonia monitoring results for Aug 11 may have been anomalous and that the receiving water station may have been in compliance with the objective if more samples had been collected and analyzed. Lab staff have updated the computer application that calculates objectives and sends out ammonia exceedance alerts, and they have checked the system to make sure it is working properly. Lab staff also added a spreadsheet check to their data review to confirm and compare results manually. |
The receiving water sample collected at RSW-002 (R4) on August 11 exceeded the calculated 30-day average Basin Plan objective for ammonia. Because the compliance sample for effluent ammonia was collected earlier in the month, a concurrent effluent sample result for ammonia is not available. This incident was verified on Nov 5, and notification was provided to the Regional Board via telephone the same day at 1:58 p.m. Written confirmation was submitted on Nov 10. Although the receiving water sample exceeded the calculated 30-day average Basin Plan objective, the concentration observed was in compliance with the 4-day average Basin Plan objective for ammonia. Ammonia water quality objectives in the receiving water are calculated automatically in the Districts¿ Laboratory Management System so that an alert can be issued if objectives are exceeded. Due to a system error, Districts staff were not notified of this exceedance until the data was reviewed on Nov 5 during routine preparation of the monthly report. Upon confirmation of the exceedance, the Districts reviewed operational records and conditions at the Los Coyotes WRP at the time of the incident and have determined that all treatment processes were normal. On the day of the exceedance, the sampling crew observed that conditions were normal at RSW-002. Ammonia concentrations in the plants secondary treatment effluent on that day were within the typical range for plant operations, which indicates that the receiving water ammonia monitoring results for Aug 11 may have been anomalous and that the receiving water station may have been in compliance with the objective if more samples had been collected and analyzed. Lab staff have updated the computer application that calculates objectives and sends out ammonia exceedance alerts, and they have checked the system to make sure it is working properly. Lab staff also added a spreadsheet check to their data review to confirm and compare results manually. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1085750 |
11/17/2020 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. Results from an effluent sample collected on November 17 were invalid because the results were read before the required incubation time had ended. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analyst was reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. Results from an effluent sample collected on November 17 were invalid because the results were read before the required incubation time had ended. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analyst was reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1085183 |
09/16/2020 |
DMON |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for ammonia, total nitrogen, organic nitrogen, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). Samples collected on September 16 from receiving water station RSW-002 were invalid because the sample bottles were not properly preserved. Due to a miscommunication, the samples were not invalidated until after the end of the calendar month. Therefore, there are no ammonia, TKN, organic nitrogen, or total nitrogen results for RSW-002 in September. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the samplers were reminded of the preservation requirement, and are now required to check the pH of samples in the field to ensure that the proper preservative was added. |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for ammonia, total nitrogen, organic nitrogen, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). Samples collected on September 16 from receiving water station RSW-002 were invalid because the sample bottles were not properly preserved. Due to a miscommunication, the samples were not invalidated until after the end of the calendar month. Therefore, there are no ammonia, TKN, organic nitrogen, or total nitrogen results for RSW-002 in September. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the samplers were reminded of the preservation requirement, and are now required to check the pH of samples in the field to ensure that the proper preservative was added. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1074345 |
02/28/2020 |
Surface Water |
Per Section V.A.17 of the WDR, the wastes discharged shall not alter the color of the receiving waters; create a visual contrast with the natural appearance of the water; or cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving waters. On February 28, 2020, Los Coyotes WRP Operations staff noticed a green color in the secondary clarifiers and confirmed the presence of color in the effluent discharged. The Sanitation Districts Compliance staff notified Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Municipal Permitting Unit, of the exceedance via a phone call the same day at 1:42 p.m. and submitted written confirmation of this event to the Regional Board on March 4, in accordance with Section VI.A.2.y of the WDR. Staff identified two potential sources: industrial dyeing facilities that discharge dye into the wastewater collection system upstream of the plant. The two industrial dyeing facilities were visited the same day to inspect each site''s operations and autosamplers. However, the aliquots collected by these autosamplers indicated the facilities were not responsible for the color issues at the WRP. At 11:00 a.m. on February 28, staff installed Sanitation Districts'' autosamplers in the sewers downstream of each site. Unfortunately, based on the timing of the observed color at the Los Coyotes WRP, these samplers were likely installed after the colored waste was discharged to the collection system. No color was observed in the Sanitation Districts'' autosamplers, which were removed on March 13. The Sanitation Districts will continue to monitor water quality in the effluent. |
Per Section V.A.17 of the WDR, the wastes discharged shall not alter the color of the receiving waters; create a visual contrast with the natural appearance of the water; or cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving waters. On February 28, 2020, Los Coyotes WRP Operations staff noticed a green color in the secondary clarifiers and confirmed the presence of color in the effluent discharged. The Sanitation Districts Compliance staff notified Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Municipal Permitting Unit, of the exceedance via a phone call the same day at 1:42 p.m. and submitted written confirmation of this event to the Regional Board on March 4, in accordance with Section VI.A.2.y of the WDR. Staff identified two potential sources: industrial dyeing facilities that discharge dye into the wastewater collection system upstream of the plant. The two industrial dyeing facilities were visited the same day to inspect each site's operations and autosamplers. However, the aliquots collected by these autosamplers indicated the facilities were not responsible for the color issues at the WRP. At 11:00 a.m. on February 28, staff installed Sanitation Districts' autosamplers in the sewers downstream of each site. Unfortunately, based on the timing of the observed color at the Los Coyotes WRP, these samplers were likely installed after the colored waste was discharged to the collection system. No color was observed in the Sanitation Districts' autosamplers, which were removed on March 13. The Sanitation Districts will continue to monitor water quality in the effluent. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
| 1074398 |
02/25/2020 |
OEV |
Total Coliform Single Sample Maximum limit is 23 CFU/100 mL and reported value was 49 CFU/100 mL at EFF001 WRR. |
Per Section B.2 of the WRR, recycled water used for the irrigation of parks, playgrounds, schoolyards, and other areas where the public has similar access or exposure shall be adequately disinfected at all times such that the number of total coliform bacteria does not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in any sample. However, CCR Title 22 requires recycled water used for these purposes to be disinfected tertiary recycled water such that the number of total coliform bacteria does not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in more than one sample within any 30-day period. The total coliform result for a recycled water sample collected on Feb. 25 was 49 CFU/100mL, but total coliform density did not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in any other sample collected 30 days before and after Feb. 25, meeting Title 22 requirements. Due to the discrepancy between Title 22 and the WRR, Sanitation Districts inadvertently did not immediately identify the single elevated total coliform result on Feb. 25 as an exceedance. Notification of the incident was provided to LA RWQCB on May 15 at approx. 3:30 pm, soon after confirming that the single coliform result was an exceedance. The discussion in this report serves as written confirmation of the incident per WRR Section D.5. Recycled water produced on Feb. 25 met applicable Title 22 disinfection requirements, use on this date was minimal, and reusers irrigate at agronomic rates and when sites are vacant, so it is unlikely that any adverse conditions that could be detrimental to public health or the environment resulted from the use of this recycled water. To ensure timely notifications of future incidents, Sanitation Districts laboratory and reporting staff were reminded of total coliform limits in the WRR and instructed to review all permit limits when evaluating water quality results. To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Los Coyotes WRP operations staff continue to closely monitor chlorine dosage and all other parameters relevant to disinfection system performance. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
| 1074344 |
02/25/2020 |
Surface Water |
Per Section V.A.17 of the WDR, the wastes discharged shall not alter the color of the receiving waters; create a visual contrast with the natural appearance of the water; or cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving waters. On February 25, 2020, Los Coyotes WRP Operations staff noticed a green color in the secondary clarifiers and confirmed the presence of color in the effluent discharged. The Sanitation Districts Compliance staff notified Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Municipal Permitting Unit, of the exceedance via a phone call the same day at 4:44 p.m. and submitted written confirmation of this event to the Regional Board on February 27, in accordance with Section VI.A.2.y of the WDR. Staff identified two potential sources: industrial dyeing facilities that discharge dye into the wastewater collection system upstream of the plant. The two industrial dyeing facilities were visited the same day to inspect each site''s operations and autosamplers. However, the aliquots collected by these autosamplers indicated the facilities were not responsible for the color issues at the WRP. At 11:00 a.m. on February 28, staff installed Sanitation Districts'' autosamplers in the sewers downstream of each site. No color was observed in the Sanitation Districts'' autosamplers, which were removed on March 13. The Sanitation Districts will continue to monitor water quality in the effluent. |
Per Section V.A.17 of the WDR, the wastes discharged shall not alter the color of the receiving waters; create a visual contrast with the natural appearance of the water; or cause aesthetically undesirable discoloration of the receiving waters. On February 25, 2020, Los Coyotes WRP Operations staff noticed a green color in the secondary clarifiers and confirmed the presence of color in the effluent discharged. The Sanitation Districts Compliance staff notified Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Municipal Permitting Unit, of the exceedance via a phone call the same day at 4:44 p.m. and submitted written confirmation of this event to the Regional Board on February 27, in accordance with Section VI.A.2.y of the WDR. Staff identified two potential sources: industrial dyeing facilities that discharge dye into the wastewater collection system upstream of the plant. The two industrial dyeing facilities were visited the same day to inspect each site's operations and autosamplers. However, the aliquots collected by these autosamplers indicated the facilities were not responsible for the color issues at the WRP. At 11:00 a.m. on February 28, staff installed Sanitation Districts' autosamplers in the sewers downstream of each site. No color was observed in the Sanitation Districts' autosamplers, which were removed on March 13. The Sanitation Districts will continue to monitor water quality in the effluent. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
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Report displays most recent five years of violations. Refer to the Interactive Violation Report for more data.
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Total Violations: 13
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Priority Violations: 0
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*Click the "(+/-) Violation Description" link to expand and contract the violation description.
*As of 5/20/2010, the Water Board's Enforcement Policy requires that all violations be classified as 1, 2 or 3, with class 1 being the highest. Prior to this, violations were simply classified as Yes or No. If a 123 classification has been assigned to a violation that occurred before this date, that classification data will be displayed instead of the Yes/No data.
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| Violation Types |
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CTOX = Chronic Toxicity
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DMON = Deficient Monitoring
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OEV = Other Effluent Violation
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Surface Water = Surface Water
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