Wastewater
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The City’s wastewater discharge permit (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System – NPDES) with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) was renewed in October 2007. This permit includes several significant requirements that are impacting the cost of operating the wastewater plant as well as costly studies to determine whether the City may continue discharging its treated effluent into Jackson Creek.
The key issue facing the City is whether concerns raised by the State Department of Public Health regarding the use of Jackson Creek/Lake Amador as a potable water supply warrants the reduction or elimination of the City’s treated effluent from the creek. Additional studies were required in the NPDES permit to address the State Department of Fish and Game concerns that removal of the City’s effluent from the creek could negatively impact fish and wildlife. The City is working with these two State agencies and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to protect ratepayers and meet the environmental concerns of these agencies.