Graphic that reads "May 21-22, 2026 Tour and Meeting Notice"

Upcoming Delta ISB Tour and Meeting

On May 21-22, the Delta Independent Science Board will meet over two days for a tour and meeting.

On May 21 at 9:30 AM, the Sacramento Area Sewer District will provide a tour of the Bufferlands, the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility, and the historic Nicolaus Dairy to the Delta ISB and the interested public. This tour is intended to inform the Delta ISB’s review of contaminant monitoring programs, assessing their effectiveness and how well they inform ecological understanding and management decisions.

This tour is free and open to the public; however, space is limited, and registration by May 8 at 4:00 PM is required. Read the tour notice to learn more and reserve your spot by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov.

On May 22 at 9:00 AM, the Delta ISB will meet at the California Natural Resources Agency (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) to discuss its reviews and activities. More information about agenda items will be available when the meeting notice is posted on May 11 at the link below.

VISIT THE DELTA ISB MEETINGS WEB PAGE

Why is it important for the Delta ISB to review contaminant monitoring programs?

“Contaminants from urban runoff, sewage, agriculture, and the atmosphere enter the waterways of California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in forms such as toxic metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics – many of which can harm human health and ecosystems alike,” says Delta ISB Chair Dr. Inge Werner. “Their volume and complexity make monitoring and risk assessment challenging, underscoring the need for a review to inform effective management and protect environmental and public health.”

Learn more in the Delta ISB’s prospectus.

Why is the EchoWater Facility significant?

Contaminants enter the water system through sewage from toilets, showers, laundry, and more. The EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility, located near Elk Grove, California, provides tertiary treatment for 1.6 million customers throughout the Sacramento region. The facility treats sewage so it can be safely released into the Sacramento River in the northern part of the Delta and includes a substantial buffer between facility operations and its nearest neighbors. This expanse of open space is called “the Bufferlands” and provides wildlife habitat, farmland, and open space while reducing the potential for odor and other nuisances.

Group photo of the Delta Independent Science Board on a field excursion

The Delta ISB meets monthly to discuss its recent and upcoming activities. Meetings are recorded and posted on YouTube for easy viewing. The tour is in-person only and will not be recorded.

The Delta ISB advises the Council and provides oversight of the scientific research, monitoring, and assessment programs in the Delta through periodic reviews.

Delta Independent Science Board

715 P Street, 15-300

Sacramento, CA 95814

deltacouncil.ca.gov

Business Hours:

8:00 AM-

5:00 PM

(916) 445-5511