Definition

Violations occur when the quality of water discharged from the treatment plant to the Sacramento River does not meet regulatory requirements.

Target

No more than 5 water quality violations per year. Five water quality violations per year correspond with the requirements for the Silver Award issued by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Purpose

This service level reflects wastewater discharge impacts to the Sacramento River and the treatment plant’s overall performance - including capacity, operations and maintenance practices.

Critical Impacts

Violations can be caused by mechanical failures, operator failures, natural disasters or stringent regulations. Therefore, maintenance, operator training and contingency planning, as well as permitting advocacy, can affect this service level.