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Re: Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Installation of Residential Self-Regenerating Water Softening Appliances
(a) Approve and Adopt An Ordinance to Prohibit the Installation of Residential Self-Regenerating Water Softening Appliances via formal Board Resolution
(b) Determine that Adoption of An Ordinance Prohibiting the Installation of Residential Self-Regenerating Water Softening Appliances is Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(9) and Title 14 of California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”) Sections 15307 and 15308
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Summary: The proposed Ordinance, which was introduced by the Board on July 28, 2026, prohibits the installation of residential self-regenerating water softening appliances that discharge into the community sewer system and provides the Newhall Ranch Sanitation District (District) with legal authority to control their use within the District in order to attain water quality objectives set by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (Regional Board) for treated wastewater discharged to the Santa Clara River. In the District’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for discharge to the Santa Clara River, the Regional Board imposed a chloride limit of 100 milligrams per liter. It has been previously demonstrated that salinity from residential self-regenerating water softeners is a significant source of controllable chloride. The District meets the criteria set forth in California Water Code Section 13148, which provides that any local agency that owns or operates a community sewer system or water recycling facility and that is subject to a finding made by a Regional Board may take action to control salinity from residential self-regenerating water softening appliances to protect the quality of the waters of the State. Prohibiting the installation of residential self-regenerating water-softening appliances in the District is a necessary means of protecting and achieving water quality objectives and protecting the Santa Clara River. For self-regenerating water-softening appliances that have previously been installed within the District, the Board Resolution includes language establishing a program to compensate owners for the value of each removed device and for the reasonable cost of removal and disposal. A copy of the proposed Board Resolution and Ordinance is attached. Please contact the Chief Engineer and General Manager at 562-908-4288, ext. 1501, or Ray Tremblay, at ext. 2701, for any comments or questions.
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