City of Corona
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Our mission is to protect the City of Corona's water reclamation systems, water quality, our residents, our workers and the environment.
Achieving these objectives will eliminate the discharge of pollutants into surface waters and increase the level of water quality for our future and for generations to come.
Our program includes the following components:
- Ensure that the Utilities Department maintains compliance with water, wastewater and air quality programs.
- Implement the City of Corona's pre-treatment program.
- Work with industries to assist them in achieving compliance with pre-treatment requirements.
To learn more about compliance, read about our Required Plans & Reports, Discharge Regulations, and see our Consumer Confidence Reports.
Discharge Regulations
Regulation Sources: There are four sources of regulations. These are Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, Code of Federal Regulations, State of California Adopted Orders, Local Limits. The City of Corona's discharge program consists of a self-monitoring program. Any discharges that cannot be sent to the City's system may go to the Inland Empire Brine Line.
Self-Monitoring Program
All Class I, II and III industries permitted by the Utilities Department will almost certainly be required to monitor their effluent for compliance with the City of Corona discharge regulations, a process known as self-monitoring. The self-monitoring program requires industries to collect samples of their industrial wastewater effluent, usually using an automatic sampler, and have the sample analyzed for the constituents listed in their industrial waste discharge permit. Most permittees contract this work out. Once the sample has been analyzed, the results are submitted to the Utilities Department. The data is then reviewed by the Utilities Department and entered into the City of Corona database.
The most common self-monitoring schedules involve monitoring the industrial wastewater effluent monthly or quarterly. In some cases, monitoring is done on a weekly basis.
The City of Corona requires self-monitoring for a number of reasons:
Significant Non-Compliance Determination (SNC): Self-monitoring data, in conjunction with Utilities Department data, is used to determine compliance with discharge limits outlined in industrial waste discharge permits. A company will receive a SNC if they are more than 30 days late submitting their self-monitoring reports.
Flow Base Determination: The daily industrial flow reported on the self-monitoring report is used with other flow data to determine the mass emission rate flow base.
Enforcement: The self-monitoring data may be used in enforcement actions
Wastewater Use Charges: The BOD, TSS and total oil and grease and flow data may be used to determine wastewater surcharges.
Responsibility to the Environment: Self-monitoring helps maintain the company focus on responsibility and makes them aware of the potentially negative impact the industrial wastewater discharge may have on the City of Corona wastewater system.
Inland Empire Brine Line
For discharges that cannot be handled by the City's wastewater system, connection to the Inland Empire Brine Line (previously known as the Santa Ana Regional Interceptor or SARI) may be necessary. The IE Brine Line was built specifically to handle high-saline waste streams.
Lead & Copper
In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred to as the LCR). Since 1991 the LCR has undergone various revisions. The treatment technique for the rule requires systems to monitor drinking water at customer taps. If lead concentration exceeds an action level of 15 micrograms per liter (parts per billion, ppb) or copper concentration exceeds an action level of 1.3 milligrams per liter (parts per million, ppm) In more than 10% of customer taps sampled, the system must undertake a number of additional actions to control corrosion. If the action level for lead is exceeded, the system must also inform the public about steps they should take to protect their health and may have to replace lead service lines under their control.
While the LCR applies to water utilities, the reduction of lead in Section 1417 of the Drinking Water Act sets standards for pipe, plumbing fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux. After June 1996, the act prohibits the use of any pipe, plumbing fitting, fixture, any solder, or any flux that is not lead free. It applies to the installation or repair of any public water system or any plumbing in a residential or non-residential facility providing water for human consumption.
The following are some actions you can take to reduce the chance of lead in drinking water:
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Flush taps before using water for drinking or cooking. If the water in the faucet has been unused for six hours or more, “flush” the tap. This is done by allowing cold water to run for 15-30 seconds. To conserve water, collect the flushed water for non-consumption purposes such as watering the garden or potted plants.
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Use only cold water for consumption: drinking, cooking, and especially for preparing baby formula. Hot water can dissolve more lead faster than cold water.
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After you have taken the precautions listed above, if you suspect a problem you can have your water tested. The only way to be sure of the amount of lead in your water is to have it tested by a competent laboratory. Testing is especially important for apartment dwellers because flushing may not be effective in high-rise buildings with lead-soldered central piping.
Planning Documents
- 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP)
- 2020 UWMP
- Technical Noise Study for the Proposed Mangular Blending Facility
- Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP)
Required Plans and Reports
URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (UWMP)
An Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) is required by the California Water Code and applies to all urban water suppliers that supply more than 3,000 customers. UWMPs are required to be updated every five years for years ending in 0 or 5. The UWMP must satisfy all the requirements in the Urban Water Management Planning Act and is a planning document that is used to:
- report to the Department of Water Resources on existing local and planned water supplies;
- compare forecasted supplies against demands during normal, dry and multiple-dry year conditions to ensure water supply reliability and sufficiency;
- maintain the efficient use of urban water supplies;
- promote conservation programs and policies; and
- provide a mechanism for response during drought conditions.
See the Corona 2020 UWMP:
SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN (SSMP)
The City of Corona Utilities Department was required to develop a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) per the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Order No. 2006-0003, Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sewer Systems (Order No. 06-03). The City of Corona's SSMP was adopted by Resolution No. 2023-022 of the Corona City Council on May 3rd, 2023.
Water Supply Reliability Certification
On May 9, 2016, Governor Brown issued a new Executive Order directing actions aimed at using water wisely, reducing water waste, and improving water use efficiency. The Executive Order, in part, directs the State Water Board to extend the emergency regulations for urban water conservation through the end of January 2017. As part of the executive order, urban water districts must complete an annual Water Supply Certification to use as the basis for future water conservation targets.
In compliance with the order, here is the water supply reliability certification for the City of Corona Utilities Department: Water Supply Reliabilty Certification 6/22/16.