(a) In the Bear Lake Reservoir, recreational uses shall not include recreation in which any participant has bodily contact with the water, unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The water subsequently receives complete water treatment, in compliance with all applicable board regulations, including oxidation, filtration, and disinfection, before being used for domestic purposes. The disinfection shall include, but is not limited to, the use of an advanced technology capable of inactivating organisms, including, but not limited to, viruses, cryptosporidium, and giardia, to levels that comply with board regulations. The treatment shall include, but need not be limited to, filtration with a micro or ultrafiltration system rated to 0.1 micron or less. The treatment shall, at a minimum, comply with all state laws and board regulations and all federal laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the federal Environmental Protection Agency Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. Nothing in this division shall limit the state or the board in imposing more stringent treatment standards than those required by federal law.
(2) The Lake Alpine Water Company conducts a monitoring program for cryptosporidium, giardia, and total coliform bacteria, including E. coli and fecal coliform, at the reservoir intake and at posttreatment at a frequency determined by the board, but no less than three times during the period when bodily contact is allowed pursuant to paragraph (4).
(3) The reservoir is operated in compliance with regulations of the board.
(4) Bodily contact is allowed for no more than four months each year.
(b) The recreational use of Bear Lake Reservoir shall be subject to additional conditions and restrictions adopted by the entity operating the water supply reservoir, or required by the board, that are required to further protect or enhance the public health and safety and do not conflict with regulations of the board.
(c) The Lake Alpine Water Company shall file, on or before December 31, 2017, and biennially thereafter, with the Legislature in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code and the board, a report on the recreational uses at Bear Lake Reservoir and the water treatment program for that reservoir. That report shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following information:
(1) The estimated levels and types of recreational uses at the reservoir on a monthly basis.
(2) A summary of monitoring in the Bear Lake Reservoir watershed for cryptosporidium, giardia, and total coliform bacteria, including E. coli and fecal coliform.
(3) The most current sanitary survey of the watershed and water quality monitoring.
(4) As deemed necessary by the board, an evaluation of recommendations relating to inactivation and removal of cryptosporidium and giardia.
(5) Annual reports provided to the board as required by the water permit issued by the board.
(6) An evaluation of the impact on source water quality due to recreational activities on Bear Lake Reservoir, including any microbiological monitoring.
(7) A summary of activities for operation of recreational uses and facilities in a manner that optimizes the water quality.
(8) The reservoir management plan and the operations plan.
(9) The annual water reports submitted to the consumers each year.
(d) If there is a change in operation of the treatment facility or a change in the quantity of water to be treated at the treatment facility, the board may require the entity operating the water supply reservoir to file a report that includes, but is not limited to, the information required in subdivision (c), and the entity shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that water quality will not be adversely affected.
(e) (1) The board shall, at the end of each recreational season, annually review monitoring and reporting data from the Bear Lake Reservoir to ensure full compliance with this section.
(2) If at any time the board finds a failure to comply with this section, the exemption granted pursuant to this section shall cease immediately, and a permit issued to the Lake Alpine Water Company pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 116270) of Part 12 may be subject to suspension, amendment, or revocation pursuant to that chapter. A failure to comply with this section shall be deemed a violation of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 116270) of Part 12 and shall be subject to any applicable fines, penalties, or other enforcement action provided under that chapter.
(f) As used in this section, “board” means the State Water Resources Control Board.
(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2022, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2022, deletes or extends that date.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 149, Sec. 1. (SB 930) Effective January 1, 2017. Repealed as of January 1, 2022, by its own provisions.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018