New water discharge requirements affect California wineries

In late January 2021, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted a General Order for waste discharge requirements (Winery Order) for wineries, wine distillation facilities and other grape juice producing related facilities (winery). The focus of the Winery Order is to reduce the environmental impacts to groundwater (specifically salinity, nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand) from land discharge of process water from these facilities.

This Winery Order establishes monitoring and reporting requirements and makes winery discharge an activity subject to the California Water Code (Water Code) and makes discharge without complying with the Winery Order a violation. Wineries subject to this Winery Order are required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) within 3 years of adoption of this Winery Order. There is then an additional two years to make all adjustments needed to comply with the requirements.

Looking to reduce the impacts to the environment, the latest General Order for process water discharge effects wineries across California.

In late January 2021, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted a General Order for waste discharge requirements (Winery Order) for wineries, wine distillation facilities and other grape juice producing related facilities (winery). The focus of the Winery Order is to reduce the environmental impacts to groundwater (specifically salinity, nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand) from land discharge of process water from these facilities.

Early planning will be essential in understanding permit compliance prior to implementation and determining ways to reduce compliance obligation (chemical capture and reuse, water reduction, among others). Early planning is also vital for determining water resiliency, future business growth as well as preparing for climate change, drought, and catastrophic events (e.g., wildfires, pandemic, etc.).

A tiered classification system has been developed to determine allowable discharge for the wineries. During the initial 3-year phase, wineries will need to determine the total quantity and quality of process water discharged to prepare and submit a NOI. The measurement includes process water generated from outdoor processing areas, and measured prior to treatment, (e.g., before discharged to a pond, land application area [LAA], or subsurface disposal system).  

The most effective methods for determining the total discharge include aquifer vulnerability, install flow meters, evaluate water balances, among others. Once the discharge is measured, the following Table 1 provides a description of the Tiers and associated design flows used to determine next steps for compliance.

 

Tier Determination

 

Note:

⁽¹⁾ Process water flow shall be measured directly via a flowmeter or, for Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities only, may be calculated using an accurate alternative method (e.g., assumed equal to facility source water use, determined from a storage tank water balance). The regional water board may specify a required flow measurement method for the facility.

Source: California State Water Resources Control Board Winery Order Change Sheet Number 1, dated January 20, 2021.

Challenged with meeting new requirements, wineries of all sizes will require support to proactively plan for meeting the new Winery Order. Engaging partners that combine regulatory understanding with deep water knowledge will be imperative for successfully meeting environmental requirements, while balancing a wineries business goals.

Our experienced California-based professionals understand all facets of the Winery Order, track the regulatory changes and offer technical services to plan for addressing requirements and meeting and maintaining compliance. While our global water network provides comprehensive and innovative solutions to wineries from water recycling/reuse, to digital monitoring/reporting to innovative treatment evaluations. We are committed to applying our knowledge of winery operations and water services to ensure compliance while meeting business goals and growth plans.