On 2 January 2011, CSPA submitted comments on the proposal by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to relax the effluent limits for aluminum in the NPDES permit for the City of Auburn’s wastewater treatment plant.
The Regional Board utilized a seriously flawed approach that resulted in an increase in the permit’s aluminum limit from 70 micrograms as a monthly average and 146 micrograms as a daily maximum to 200 micrograms as a yearly average. A 200-microgram limit for aluminum is not protective of aquatic life and even exceeds the Secondary Drinking Water MCL.
A hearing in the matter is scheduled before the Regional Board on 2/3/4 February 2011. CSPA Auburn Comments