Publications and Research

Clean Bay Strategy Reports
These reports are submitted annually in accordance with the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant NPDES discharge permit. The reports provide an update on the South Bay Action Plan, Contingency Plan, and Pollutant Prevention and Minimization Plan.

July 1998-Feb. 2008

Web Page

16 KB

Copper Action Plan
The Copper Action Plan (CAP) identified specific actions to ensure that existing water quality in the San Francisco Bay is maintained and beneficial uses are protected.

3/01

PDF

1 MB

Nickel Action Plan
The Nickel Action Plan (NAP) identified specific actions to ensure that existing water quality in the San Francisco Bay is maintained and beneficial uses are protected.

3/01

PDF

1 MB

FY02-03 Regional Media Relations Campaign Final Report
Summary of print, and broadcast media coverage of wastewater and stormwater issues in the Bay area as a result of Regional Media Relations workgroup activity.

July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003

PDF

236 KB

FY04-05 Regional Media Relations Campaign Final Report
Summary of print, and broadcast media coverage of wastewater and stormwater issues in the Bay area as a result of Regional Media Relations workgroup activity.

July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005

MS Word

893 KB

San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant Service Area Resident Survey
Results of a telephone survey of the level of watershed awareness among local residents

3/02

PDF

184 KB

South Bay Monitoring Program 2003 Progress Report
In February 1997, the City of San Jose began measuring total and dissolved copper and nickel concentrations at ten stations in the Lower South San Francisco Bay (LSSB). This monitoring is performed monthly.

1/04

PDF

523 KB

Sustainable City Program, Draft Status Report
In 1994, San Jose's City Council adopted San Jose 2020 as its general plan, which included a strategy for the City to become environmentally and economically sustainable. This report is a summary of the City's programs, policies and activities that have been created to advance this initiative.

6/98

PDF

336 KB

Sustainable City Status Report

6/98

Web Page

11 KB

Trash MOA 2006 Annual Report
Trash prevention and removal activities completed in 2006, pursuant to the City of San Jose - Santa Clara Valley Water District MOA.

2006

PDF

263 KB

Urban Runoff (Stormwater) Reports
Includes the Urban Runoff Management Plan, Work Plans, and Annual Reports on the planned activities and accomplishments related to efforts undertaken to meet NPDES permit requirements.

FY2001-FY2006

Web Page

17 KB

Best Management Practices for Dental Amalgam
List of 11 best management practices dental offices should follow to keep mercury out of the sanitary sewer system.

12/06

PDF

824 KB

Best Management Practices for Building, Construction, and Home Remodeling
The City of San José and the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program developed the following materials to educate local residents and construction-related businesses on preventing stormwater pollution. If you have any questions about these materials, or would like print copies of them, please contact Watershed Protection at (408) 945-3000.

6/01

Web Page

13 KB

Best Management Practices for Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
Restaurants, grocery stores, delicatessens, cafes, coffee shops, cafeterias, and bakeries are inspected by Environmental Inspectors from the City of San Jose Environmental Services Department, Watershed Protection Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program. A variety of best management practices are available to provide guidance for proper handling and maintenance of FOG at your facility. If you have any questions about these materials, or would like print copies of them, please contact Watershed Protection at (408) 945-3000.

8/08

Web Page

Blueprint for a Clean Bay
An introductory guide to stormwater quality control on construction sites for all general contractors, home builders, and subcontractors working on construction sites.

2004

PDF

373 KB

Clean Bay Blueprint
The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) and the City of San Jose have developed these guidelines as a resource for all general contractors, home builders, and subcontractors working on construction sites. Large, illustrated format can be posted on the job site.

8/05

PDF

290 KB

Cooling Tower Pollution Reduction
Tributyltin-containing additives are now prohibited by law. A partial list of products and manufacturers is included, with recommendations for other practices to reduce use of toxic metal containing additives.

1/99

PDF

15 KB

Cyanide Pollution Reduction
This factsheet describes sources of cyanide found in wastewater flowing to the treatment plant, effluent limits, non-cyanide process alternatives and other cyanide reduction strategies.

1/99

PDF

22 KB

Preventing Storm Drain Pollution
The Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program has prepared this housekeeping guidance manual for commercial and light industrial facilities to reduce the amount of pollutants flowing through the storm drain system and local creeks to the South San Francisco Bay.

6/08

PDF

1 MB

Printing and Photoprocessing Pollution Reduction
Good housekeeping practices are the first line of defense and should be considered in preventing printing and photoprocessing pollutants from entering the sanitary sewer and storm drain systems. Includes tips for floor cleaning, spills, plate processing, image transfer, disposal options for photochemicals and more.

1/99

PDF

67 KB

California Certified Wastewater Testing Laboratories
This list of ELAP certified laboratories have demonstrated capability to analyze environmental samples using approved methods.

4/03

PDF

978 KB

Copper Pipe Corrosion:
Factsheet for Designers and Engineers
This factsheet presents design techniques for reducing copper pipe corrosion and thus helping to protect San Francisco Bay.

5/03

PDF

413 KB

Copper Pipe Corrosion:
Factsheet for Plumbers and Installers
This factsheet presents installation techniques that can greatly reduce pipe corrosion and help protect the Bay.

5/03

PDF

402 KB

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and Potential Impact on Water Use in the Santa Clara Valley Watershed
A pamphlet developed by the Watershed Management Initiative (WMI) Emerging Contaminant Workgroup to describe the Endocrine Disrupting Compound issue.

2/03

PDF

172 KB

Fats, Oils, and Grease Control Program
A presentation to the Stakeholder Input Workshop on Ordinance Changes on November 6, 2008.

11/08

PDF

1.86 MB

Fats, Oils and Grease Questions & Answers
Q&A from the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Workshop held on November 6, 2008 at
San José, City Hall

11/08

PDF

26 KB

Guidelines for Efficient Water Use: Implementing Water and Wastewater Reduction Projects
The goal of this guidance document is to assist companies, primarily industrial users in the Plant’s service area, to reduce the amount of potable water used and wastewater discharged.

6/07

PDF

2.33 MB

Guidelines for Industrial Wastewater Reuse
For owners, operators, and environmental managers of facilities in San José, this document offers guidance for planning and implementing an onsite industrial wastewater reduction and reuse project within the City of San José. It includes the requirements, permitting and approval process from the conceptual planning phase to the post construction phase.

4/05

PDF

538 KB

Guidelines for Managing Water in Cooling Systems
Targeted to facility owners, cooling system operators, and environmental managers, this brochure provides basic information on cooling tower operations, implementing water conservation measures, and ongoing operational concerns with water quality and vendor involvement.

7/02

PDF

2.4 MB

Is Your Roof Runoff Polluted?
Roof runoff in industrial areas can be a significant source of pollutants to stormwater. This factsheet identifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent rooftop pollution.

4/08

PDF

109 KB

Partial List of Approved Test Procedures for Common Wastewater Pollutants
Approved test procedures for 13 pollutants. (Source: 40 CFR Part 136)

10/05

PDF

174 KB

pH Factsheet
This factsheet explains the importance of pH monitoring for permitted Industrial Users to protect the sewer infrastructure, the Water Pollution Control Plant, the public and the health of the San Francisco Bay.

06/06

PDF

534 KB

San Francisco Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group Introductory Brochure
An introductory brochure which describes the mission, organization, funding and accomplishments of this voluntary association of water pollution prevention agencies.

12/04

PDF

692 KB

Surveillance Monitoring Factsheet
A factsheet which describes the purpose of surveillance monitoring and how businesses can avoid violations with a thorough self-inspection process.

10/05

PDF

567 KB

Tributary Tribune Issues
A newsletter produced for Industrial Dischargers located within the tributary area served by the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant, which includes San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Cupertino Sanitary District, West Valley Sanitation District (including Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga), County Sanitation Districts 2-3, and the Sunol & Burbank Sanitary Districts.

1998-2007

Web Page

16 KB

Tri-butyl Tin Factsheet for Cooling Towers
Tri-butyl tin has been banned for use in cooling water systems within the nine San Francisco Bay area counties. This fact sheet offers tips for complying with the regulation.

6/05

PDF

42 KB

Water Conservation Success Stories
The City of San José has implemented a variety of programs improving water conservation in the South Bay. These success stories demonstrate ways local companies have been able to reduce wastewater discharge or pollutants from their facilities.

12/04-3/06

Web Page

17 KB

City of San José Municipal Code of Ordinances

Web Page

Environmental Policy

9/07

PDF

17 KB

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy

3/07

PDF

59 KB

Green Building Policy

Web Page

Green Fleet Policy

9/07

PDF

424 KB

Water Policy Framework

PDF

539 KB

2008 Guide for Multifamily Property Managers & Owners
Recycle Plus Services & Rates effective July 1, 2008

6/08

PDF

1 MB

Creeks and Storm Drains: Frequently Asked Questions
The City is working with the Strong Neighborhood Initiative and Neighborhood Associations to educate residents about pollution prevention. This FAQ was prepared to give them tools to report problems and reduce the pollution getting into our creeks.

1/08

PDF

185 KB

Green-It-Yourself
A do-it-yourself guide for residents that offers green ideas in three major categories of home improvements: energy efficiency, water conservation and green materials. Produced by RecycleWorks of San Mateo County.

N.A.

PDF

747 KB

Pesticide Pollution Reduction
This handout describes how to minimize water pollution from your yard due to pesticides.

8/97

PDF

5 KB

Public Participation Opportunities
A 5-page citizens' directory of organizations, visitor centers, clubs, institutes and programs where the general public can get involved in watershed issues. Produced by the Watershed Management Initiative.

N.A.

PDF

124 KB

Recycling Basics Printable List
A compact, printable list of items which can be recycled in the curbside collection program in San José. Includes items which are commonly misunderstood and should not be placed in the recycling carts.

12/08

PDF

308 KB

Recycling Made Easy: Apartments & Condos
Tips for organizing inside, how to help keep enclosures neat and tidy and more.

1/07

PDF

504 KB

West Nile Virus: Target the Source
A residents' guide to protection from West Nile Virus, with tips for eliminating mosquito breeding areas around the home and how to keep from being bitten by mosquitoes.

1/03

PDF

1.22 MB

2006 Industrial Waste Discharge Local Limits Update
The local limits review report fulfills EPA Administrative Order CWA-307-9-05-06 Finding 2, to submit a technical evaluation of the adequacy of local limits to protect the Plant, collection system, and sewer workers and to ensure that NPDES permit limits are met.

6/06

PDF

1.28 MB

A18 Annual Self Monitoring Plan (SMP) Reports
The former Cargil Salt Pond A-18 began to circulate water from and to Artesian Slough in the South San Francisco Bay on 17 Feb 2005. In accordance with the Waste Discharge Requirements for Pond A18, the City of San José submitted an A18 Annual Self Monitoring Report (SMP) report to the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board.

2005-2007

Web Page

10 KB

Acute and Chronic Nickel Toxicity:
Development an Acute-to-Chronic Ratio for West Coast Marine Species
This study obtained acute and chronic nickel toxicity data for three west coast marine species, to augment the national EPA database of marine ACR values. Sensitive, ecologically important species were selected from three diverse phyla. Critical life stages of these organisms were exposed to nickel for extended periods to estimate chronic toxicity. This data was used to re-calculate site-specific nickel criteria for lower South San Francisco Bay, although the data have application to the entire S.F. Bay and to national criteria for nickel.

10/98

Zip

3.5 MB

Atmospheric Deposition of Trace Metals in the San Francisco Bay Area
Dry air deposition rates for four metals, copper, nickel, cadmium, and chromium, were measured at three San Francisco Bay locations from August 1999 to August 2000. The goal of the study was to determine how much of the total load of these metals in the San Francisco Bay is contributed by air deposition.

9/01

PDF

692 KB

A Model for Estimating Future Influent and Effluent
Hydraulic Flow to the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
The Watershed Protection Division of ESD has prepared a predictive model of hydraulic sewer flows entering the Plant (influent) and treated wastewater discharge (effluent). This memorandum documents the methodology, assumptions, and preliminary outcome of the model.

2/03

PDF

201 KB

Capsule Report Calculation of TMDLs for Copper and Nickel in South San Francisco Bay
In January 1998 the City of San Jose initiated a 4-year, $3.5 million effort to conduct special studies to support copper and nickel TMDLs.

4/99

PDF

20 KB

City of San José Environmental Enhancement Program - Coyote Creek Stream Flow Augmentaion Pilot Project
final report

7/01

PDF

4.2 MB

Comparison of Advanced Treatment Methods for Partial Desalting of Tertiary Effluents
This study compared two different advanced water treatment methods - microfiltration followed by reverse osmosis (MF/RO) and electrodialysis reversal (EDR) - to reduce the salinity of recycled water from the San Jose Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant.

9/04

PDF

1.1 MB

Conceptual Model Report for Copper and Nickel in Lower South San Francisco Bay - Final Report
This conceptual model report provides a summary of the behavior of copper and nickel in South San Francisco Bay and factors that affect cycling and potential toxicity of these metals in the ecosystem.

Cover-Section 3
Sections 4-5
Section 6-Appendix

12/99

PDF

20 MB
3 MB
29.6 MB

Cyanide Attenuation Study
This study (1) investigated cyanide formation in the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant, and (2) determined an attenuation factor for cyanide in Lower South San Francisco Bay, below Dumbarton Bridge.

9/04

PDF

676 KB

Evaluating the Ecological Condition of the South Bay: A Potential Assessment Approach
This proposed method seeks to identify attributes of a healthy estuarine ecosystem based on goals and objectives from public laws and our scientific understanding of the estuary. Some of these attributes include maintaining balanced indigenous wildlife, reversing measured population declines, increasing wetlands, maintaining water quality, and supporting commercial and sport fishing among others.

7/02

PDF

125 KB

Guadalupe River Watershed Mercury TMDL

Web Page

Impact of Recycled Water on Water Quality in Coyote Creek in San José, California in 2001
This report summarizes the second year of baseline data collection on Coyote Creek, California. Sampling was conducted July through November 2001. Data collected from Coyote Creek and its tributaries in 2001 are assessed and compared to 2000 data. The goal was to determine the impact of recycled water on water quality and algae growth in Coyote Creek.

7/02

PDF

2 MB

Impairment Assessment Report for Copper and Nickel in Lower South San Francisco Bay Final Report
This report presents beneficial use impairment assessment for copper and nickel developed as a part of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project for Lower South San Francisco Bay. This report presents new information and re-evaluates the determination that beneficial uses of Lower South San Francisco Bay are impaired due to ambient concentrations of copper and nickel.

Report
Appendices

6/00

PDF

10 MB
3 MB

Laboratory Reliability Evaluation for Aldrin
This report compares the degree of variability with pesticide measurement between three commercial laboratories using matching wastewater samples.

1/04

PDF

845 KB

Marsh Studies of South San Francisco Bay: Comparative Studies, GIS Datasets and Related Reports.
As part of a monitoring program required by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the City of San Jose commissions a yearly study of the marshes potentially affected by the freshwater discharge from the Water Pollution Control Plant. These studies document changes in the distribution and aerial extent of salt, brackish and freshwater marsh.

1999-2008

Web Page 

21 KB

Natural Levels Of Nickel, Selenium, and Arsenic in the Southern San Francisco Bay Area
A summary of the results of a literature search for information on natural levels of nickel, selenium, and arsenic in the southern San Francisco Bay area.

6/98

PDF

119 KB

Regional Monitoring Program (RMP)
The RMP monitors contamination in the San Francisco Bay Estuary.

Web Page

Review of the Effects of Copper on Salmonid Olfaction
Olfaction plays a key role in species recognition, migration, reproduction, and predator avoidance in salmonids. This review summarizes the potential effects of copper on salmonid olfaction, based on a broad range of freshwater laboratory and field studies. It assesses the ecological relevance of available study results and their application to the San Francisco Bay, and evaluates the protectiveness of the proposed site-specific objectives for copper.

4/05

PDF

552 KB

San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant Mercury Fate and Transport Study
The study examines the efficiency and main mechanisms of mercury removal in various Plant processes and whether net production of more toxic forms of mercury (e.g. methylmercury) occurs in the Plant.

12/07

PDF

1.64 MB

San José/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant/Pond A18 Master Planning: Plant Lands Opportunities and Constraints Assessment
This report documents a broad range of land-use opportunities and constraints (operational, physical, biological, and social) to these opportunities on the 1856 acres of land controlled by the Water Pollution Control Plant.

1/07

PDF

18.9 MB

San José/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant/Pond A18 Master Planning: Pond A18 Existing Conditions and Opportunities and Constraints Assessment
This report documents the current conditions and a broad range of land-use opportunities and constraints (operational, physical, biological, and social) to these opportunities on the 826 acre, former Cargill salt pond now under the control Water Pollution Control Plant.

1/07

PDF

32.9 MB

South San Francisco Bay Copper Site-Specific Criterion Report
A report on the appropriateness of establishing a site-specific criterion, 6.9 ug/l, in place of the national saltwater aquatic life criterion, 3.1 ug/l, for copper in the South San Francisco Bay.

5/98

Zip

1.5 MB

Ultra-Trace Sampling Aids in Data Driven Regulation
ESD's Laboratory working to ensure good science is used in regulating organic pollutants to the Bay (full article)

4/01

PDF

49 KB