Every five years, OC San is required to apply for the renewal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit through the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, which allows OC San to provide effective wastewater treatment services and be an ocean discharger. On June 18, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board held a public hearing to discuss and reissue OC San’s NPDES permit. OC San General Manager Jim Herberg, Board Chairman David Shawver, Director of Environmental Services Lan Wiborg, and Orange County Water District General Manager Mike Markus all spoke on behalf of OC San at the hearing. The new permit will be in effect for the next five years starting August 1st.
OC San has an Ocean Monitoring Program that continually evaluates the coastal water to ensure the marine life and the public are protected. Nerissa, OC San’s 60-foot ocean monitoring vessel, is used to take fish and water samples along 11 miles of coastline and 35 square miles of ocean. Weekly samples are also collected from 38 stations along 21 miles of Orange County beaches to ensure public and environmental health for beachgoers and marine life.
