Municipal separate storm sewer systems: financial capability analysis: pilot project.

Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge requirements for the discharge of stormwater in accordance with the federal national pollutant discharge elimination system permit program. Existing law requires the state board or the regional boards to issue waste discharge requirements that apply and ensure compliance with the federal Clean Water Act and any more stringent effluent standards or limitations necessary to implement water quality control plans, or for the protection of beneficial uses, or to prevent nuisance. This bill would require the state board, in conjunction with an educational institution, to establish financial capability assessment guidelines for municipal separate storm sewer system permittees by an unspecified date. The bill would require the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles region to use the guidelines in a pilot project conducted to assess if a financial capability analysis can be effectively used to help municipalities to implement a municipal separate storm sewer system permit. The bill would require the state board to oversee the use of the guidelines and to make statewide recommendations upon the completion of the pilot project.