Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board

Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
Name	Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
Formation	1949
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Region served	Los Angeles County and parts of Ventura, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties
Parent organization	California State Water Resources Control Board

Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is one of nine regional boards that implement Clean Water Act-derived regulations in the State of California. It operates within the statewide framework set by the California State Water Resources Control Board and interfaces with federal agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state entities like the California Environmental Protection Agency. The board issues permits, develops basin plans, and conducts enforcement actions affecting municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental stakeholders across Southern California.

Overview

The board is a regional branch of the statewide California State Water Resources Control Board system charged with protecting surface water and groundwater quality in the Los Angeles Region. It develops the Basin Plan consistent with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, implements National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and coordinates with local agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, and regional districts like the Orange County Water District.

Jurisdiction and Organizational Structure

Jurisdiction covers the coastal watersheds from the Ventura River south through the Santa Monica Bay and San Pedro Bay to the Santa Ana River basin margins, including portions of Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County. The board is composed of appointed members under the authority of the Governor of California and administratively reports to the California Environmental Protection Agency via the State Water Board. Staff divisions include the Watershed Management Division, Enforcement Division, Standards and Toxics Division, and Cleanup and Abatement Division, which coordinate with municipal entities such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission.

Regulatory Functions and Programs

Primary regulatory functions include issuing and enforcing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for point sources, adopting Total Maximum Daily Loads under the Clean Water Act, and implementing stormwater programs aligned with the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination requirements found in municipal NPDES municipal separate storm sewer system permits. Programs address pollutants from industrial dischargers like Port of Los Angeles operations, municipal stormwater from the City of Los Angeles, and nonpoint sources affecting habitats such as the Ballona Wetlands and the Tijuana River Estuary. The board manages cleanup actions at contaminated sites in coordination with agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and regional restoration partners including the California Coastal Commission.

Major Watersheds and Water Quality Issues

Major watersheds under the board include the Los Angeles River, San Gabriel River, Santa Clara River, and the Santa Ana River. Water quality issues range from urban runoff carrying heavy metals and nutrients affecting Santa Monica Bay, to legacy pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls found in sediments near Port of Long Beach, to microbial contamination in recreational beaches at sites like Venice Beach and Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The board addresses habitat concerns for species listed under the Endangered Species Act and works with conservation groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Audubon Society on projects impacting phenomena like harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.

Enforcement Actions and Compliance

Enforcement tools include issuing cleanup and abatement orders, administrative civil liabilities, and referral to the California Attorney General or federal United States Department of Justice for injunctive relief. Notable enforcement targets have included municipal separate storm sewer system permittees such as the City of Los Angeles, industrial facilities in the Port of Long Beach complex, and legacy contamination sites involving former aerospace contractors like Lockheed Corporation. The board’s compliance monitoring coordinates with laboratory partners such as the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project and reporting obligations to the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act.

History and Notable Initiatives

Rooted in mid-20th century water policy development following state enactments like the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the board has evolved through interactions with landmark events and programs including the expansion of the Port of Los Angeles, the Solano Beach oil spill responses, and regional restoration efforts such as the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project. Notable initiatives include development of watershed management plans for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, implementation of low-impact development standards adopted by the City Council of Los Angeles, and participation in multi-agency collaborations like the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project. The board continues to influence regional infrastructure projects including stormwater capture facilities tied to entities such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and groundwater replenishment schemes connected with the Orange County Water District.

Category:State regional water boards of California