City of Fillmore Facing a Chloride Pollution Problem July 7, 2008

The Problem  Well water chloride: 55 to 35 mg/L  Human use: +25 mg/L  Brine Discharging Softeners: +57 mg/L  Average Chloride Concentration: 137 mg/L  Chloride Limit: 100 mg/L

Path To A Solution  Chloride Source Assessment  Brine Discharging Water Softener Prohibition Ordinance, In Effect Since May 2005  Water Softener Buy Back Program Beginning Fall 2008  Build water softening Plant?

Chloride Source Study  Evaluated water supply, industrial, influent and effluent data  Mass balance calculation to determine water softener load  Check water softener contribution based on Fillmore hardness, Fillmore demographics, regional surveys  Second check using 24 hour profile data

Fillmore Influent Chloride Sources

WWTP INFLUENT PROFILE

Drinking Water Source Data

City Council Chloride Reduction Plan  Switching to Ultra Violet disinfection in new Water Recycling Plant  Ban new water softeners, Effective May 2005  Persuade residents to remove brine discharging water softeners

Fillmore is not alone! Photo from Sacramento.

Summary of Chloride Source Assessment  Largest controllable sources Water softeners Water softeners Treatment plant chlorination Treatment plant chlorination  Brine Discharging Softeners must be eliminated or dramatically reduced

Customer Outreach  Asked business to stop selling rock salt  Prohibited businesses from using brine discharging softeners  Starting softener buyback program Fall 2008

Will We Comply by 2013?   If residents will unplug their brine discharging water softeners we will!   Write letters of support for AB 2270 cosponsored by Assemblywoman Audra Strickland allowing communities violating salt limits to prohibit the use of brine discharging water softeners.   THE END