MINUTES
Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Council
July 25, 2008
USGS Building #3
2255 N Gemini Drive,
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Water Advisory Council Members Present
Liz Archuleta, Chairman, Coconino County
Deb Hill, Supervisor, Coconino County
Sara Presler, City of Flagstaff
Barry Baker, Tusayan-Valle
Margot Truini for Bob Hart, U.S. Geological Survey
Bob Michaels, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
John Nystedt for Brenda Smith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nora Rasure, Coconino National Forest
Diane Chung, Flagstaff Area National Monuments
Matt Capalby, Arizona Department of Water Quality
Tom Whitmer, Arizona Department of Water Resources
Ron Sieg, Arizona Game and Fish
Nikolai Lash, Grand Canyon Trust
Jean Calhoun, The Nature Conservancy
Michael McCauley, Coconino NRCD
Liz Archuleta, WAC Chairman, opened the meeting and began with introductions by those present. Liz welcomed the newest members Sara Presler, Flagstaff Mayor, and Diane Chung, Superintendent of the Flagstaff Area National Monuments.
A motion to approve minutes from the April 25 and May 30 meetings was made by Tom Whitmer, seconded by Deb Hill, and passed unanimously.
Chairman Archuleta changed the order of the agenda and called for the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) Report to be the next item since the Chair of the GAC had to leave the meeting. Joanne Keene, GAC Chair, reported that the committee is proposing to schedule a legislative day at an upcoming WAC meeting (possibly September) and invite 12-15 State legislators and give them a presentation on the CPWAC and our projects. The Committee also has discussed using the Rural Water Authority Act as a back-up for gaining authority to move forward with the feasibility study and suggested that the CPWAC should submit a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation requesting this. Bob Michaels, Reclamation, said that the public comment period runs through the end of August, they will finalize the rules by the end of September, and will put the rules out in November. Liz suggested that the GAC draft the letter within the next couple of weeks and send to Reclamation. The members present agreed.
Next on the Agenda was a presentation by Joan Card, Water Quality Division Director for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Ms. Card distributed a brochure outlining their programs and stated that Water Quality is the largest division of ADEQ. She said that the compliance and inspection side of the division is charged with implementing the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act which prescribes maximum contaminant levels. Joan noted that arsenic has presented a significant compliance issue as the minimum went from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb, resulting in significant increase in costs for treatment. These requirements apply to public water systems which by definition are those that serve more than 25 people more than 60 days per year, or have more than 15 connections. There are 1600 public water systems and 30-40 of these are struggling with the arsenic requirements.
Ms. Card next addressed the groundwater protection program. She said that the Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) is unique to Arizona, and that it is intended to protect groundwater for drinking. She said that every sewage treatment plant requires an APP including on-site septic systems with a capacity of greater than 3000 gallons. She noted that mines are also permitted under this program.
Ms. Card explained the Reclaimed Water Program. She said that it is in place to ensure that treated effluent is of a quality for reuse for beneficial use-typically for landscape irrigation. She noted that recharged water (effluent) is under separate water quality standards. Jean Calhoun, The Nature Conservancy, asked if there has been any research related to pharmaceutical contaminants with recharge and reclaimed water. Ms. Card said that ADEQ doesn’t do research, but relies on that done or approved by EPA and USGS. She noted that in 2001 they adopted reclaimed water standards in Arizona. In regard to the question about pharmaceuticals she said that ADEQ participated in funding some university research on the emergent contaminant issue. Joan said that there is a concern for EPA to study this to protect drinking water, that they currently don’t have good information on the health effects of these contaminants. She said it takes a long time to develop new standards through the federal safe drinking water program. In regard to contaminants in surface water Joan said that they will soon have standards to protect aquatic life.
Joan said that the current standard is Best Available Demonstrated Control Technology (BADCT), which would go beyond Best Management Practices (BMT). She noted that there has been recharging of effluent occurring in Arizona for quite some time and we are ahead nationwide, but it is controversial. Joan said that she sees the future of the APP program to be even more protective of drinking (ground and surface) water. She noted that the City of Flagstaff is introducing treatment technologies that are above and beyond what is required by law. Liz asked about the timing for new requirements. Joan said it would take years, and that there is currently no initiative to pursue them.
Ms. Card said that the Pesticide Contamination Prevention Program is not a big issue in Northern Arizona, but it is very active in other years that have more agriculture, such as Yuma.
Next, Ms. Card addressed the Surface Water Protection Program which is based on the Federal Clean Water Act, she said that the federal government requires states to monitor and assess all surface water and sets standards for uses-e.g. swimming, drinking, fishing, etc. This program requires monitoring. She said that it is a major undertaking to assess all surface waters in the state. A total minimum daily load (TMDL) study determines sources of contaminants and how much of what pollution can be in the streams. The main sources are nonpoint-including agricultural runoff, stormwater off mine tailing piles, etc. She said it is a long-term effort to clean up streams. Joan said that in 2003 the federal government delegated the pollution discharge elimination system program to the states resulting in the AZPDES program in Arizona.
Ms. Card mentioned the Section 319 Grant Program, which is for clean up of nonpoint source pollutions-an example is introducing stormwater best management practices. Deb Hill asked about the use of the grant program to study contamination from septic systems. Joan said that it could be. Joan also mentioned that there are provisions under the APP process that allow nitrogen loading calculations and subdivisions can be denied if they are too great.
Ms. Card also addressed the activities of the compliance and enforcement section.
Joan said that the Department does not regulate rainwater harvesting, but they do have regulations for grey water reuse. She said that ADEQ does allow grey water reuse (e.g. shower and laundry) for outdoor watering and they have guidelines established for such. There was discussion about the pros and cons of individual grey water systems versus allowing grey water to enter the main sewer for treatment and ultimate reuse. Ms. Card said that she believes reclaimed water infrastructure should be part of any new subdivisions and sees that as the future. It was suggested that dual plumbing could reduce potable use by 40%. She said that in her opinion they do need to work on laws related to the accounting of reuse water in the AMA’s (Active Management Areas).
Nikolai Lash asked about water quality concerns on the Colorado River, and selenium and nonpoint sources in particular. He asked about the interaction with the Federal government-using the Glenn Canyon Dam releases as an example. Joan said that Section 401 of the Clean Water Act would apply to impairments on the Colorado River through the Canyon. She addressed sediment and arsenic as examples of problems in some of the tributaries to the Colorado River. She noted that there are issues with other parts of the River and noted that the new selenium standard will be less stringent. Ms. Card said that the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program is a regional program that she participates in.
A question was raised regarding effluent as a potable water source-i.e. toilet-to-tap. Joan said that ADEQ rules prohibits direct use, noting that the key word is direct. She said that effluent currently is recharged into the groundwater and is introduced to the system in that way. She said that she believes it is impacting the public water systems, noting that native soil has ability to treat water but that it is losing some of that ability each day, and thus it is imperative to use the best possible techniques.
Discussion ensued relating to cities that are using effluent for potable water, the difficulties in recharging aquifers, and the problems with treating high-saline content water.
In conclusion, Joan encouraged the CPWAC and its member communities to advocate congress for water infrastructure. In response to a question regarding state legislation Joan said that it is directed by the Governor, she also noted that ADEQ sunsets July 1, 2009. Deb Hill expressed appreciation to Joan and ADEQ. Liz thanked Joan for her time and presentation.
The next item on the Agenda was discussion of the Strategic Plan. Liz said that the Executive Committee will be organizing the work from the June 27 retreat into an updated strategic plan and will bring back to the WAC for discussion at an upcoming meeting.
Chairman Archuleta addressed the Budget item next, stating that the CPWAC needs to get funding to hire a staff person. She said that she had distributed a funding commitment sheet at the retreat and was looking for a report back from everyone, particularly cities and tribes. She mentioned that the County has committed $10,000. Sara Presler, Flagstaff Mayor, said that they are open to supporting WAC and the Council is considering whether they can fund $10,000 or whether they would provide staff equivalent time, but they are still discussing the matter.
Jean Calhoun said The Nature Conservancy can make the $5000 commitment, and is interested in contributing up to $10,000, but need to secure a source before making that commitment.
The Hopi Tribe has asked Joelynn Roberson to make a presentation to their council. Lena Fowler wasn’t able to attend today’s meeting and will report back later on the Navajo Nation. Nikolai Lash reported that the Grand Canyon Trust probably wouldn’t be able to contribute this year, their first priority is supporting Proposition 103. Joan suggested looking into federal legislation under the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, which may provide opportunities for funding administrative work of watershed groups.
Next on the agenda was a report from the Technical Advisory Committee. Leslie Meyers said that at the next TAC meeting they committee is going to look at merging the old and new strategic plan, we anticipate the USGS regional groundwater model test will be run in September, and the AWI grant-funded research project on at-risk water resources anticipates reporting to the TAC in August and to WAC in September.
Patricia Cox, Chairman of the Public Outreach Committee, reported on their activities. She said that they are still working on the web page, which is up and running at www.cpwac.org , they are putting minutes on the site after they are approved. They are refining the brochure and they will be printed by ADWR upon request. They may eventually do a print run once there is a budget for such. They are developing a speaker’s bureau for two types of presentations-one for WAC members to go do presentations about the CPWAC to interested groups and appropriate meetings, the other is for technical presentations. Patricia passed around a sign-up sheet for the WAC presenters. An audience member asked if there would be a phase where they will be listening to what the public has to say as well. Chairman Archuleta said that is the intent to have public outreach that includes feedback.
Mike Macauley said that Willow Bend provides education, that they are teaching Project WET. Liz said that we will invite Project WET and Willow Bend to present to the WAC.
Next Tom Whitmer gave an update on the Statewide Water Advisory Group (SWAG). He said they haven’t had a meeting recently, possibly in September. Deb Hill asked about the calendar for the adequacy rulemaking process. Tom said they are wrapping-up those meetings with final draft rules by August 15 and sending it to the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) by September 1. There is another rule package being prepared on inter-basin transfers. Tom said this is specific to two areas including the Big Chino and that it doesn’t apply to the WAC area.
Chairman Archuleta said that she had two letters she wanted to share with the WAC, one was from Senator Kyl in response to the WAC’s request for feasibility authorization. She reminded everyone of the process the WAC has been pursuing over the past year to get congressional authorization for the feasibility study. She said that it appears that the next step is to pursue authorization through the Rural Water Supply Act. Mayor Presler said that the City of Flagstaff met with Senator Kyl last month and reinforced the message.
Liz said the other letter was from the Sierra Club requesting a meeting to address their concerns and opposition to the pipeline from Lake Powell. She suggested that the WAC Executive Committee meet with the Grand Canyon Chapter Board. Jim McCarthy, an audience member and representative from the Sierra Club, stated that he was very encouraged by the discussion at the retreat looking where the WAC looked at a variety of options, compared to Senator Kyl’s letter which seems to focus on only one alternative.
Liz announced that the August WAC meeting will be cancelled since it is scheduled for the Friday before Labor Day weekend, but we will return to our regular schedule of meeting the last Friday of the month in September. Liz noted that there will be a showing of the movie “American Southwest-Are We Running Dry” on Friday, August 22 at 6 p.m. An email will be sent out with the location. It may be used as a fundraiser for the WAC.
The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.