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DRAFT January 4, 2012 <br /> micromohs per centimeter(Nmhos/cm). This value, at a minimum, exceeds the applicable, <br /> upper range, numeric EC objective in the Basin Plan. The Basin Plan incorporates by <br /> reference specific tables from Title 22 as numeric water quality objectives for groundwater <br /> designated for municipal use.39 The tables include Table 64449-B, which contains secondary <br /> maximum contaminant levels for EC. They consist of a range of values— recommended, <br /> upper, and short-term values. These values are 900, 1,600, and 2,200 Nmhos/cm, respectively. <br /> Evidence in the record indicates that the median EC concentration in groundwater underlying <br /> the facility near the storage ponds from 2001 to 2005 exceeded the upper range value of 1,600 <br /> Nmhos/cm. The short-term value of 2,200 Nmhos/cm is not appropriate because it is intended <br /> to apply only on a temporary basis pending construction of water treatment facilities or the <br /> development of new water sources. <br /> The Basin Plan incorporates as groundwater objectives only the numeric values in the <br /> selected tables from Title 22.40 It does not incorporate other provisions of Title 22, such as the <br /> provisions on monitoring, reporting, or waivers.41 The Basin Plan does not require that the <br /> Central Valley Water Board establish a fixed consumer acceptance contaminant level prior to <br /> implementing the groundwater EC objective. No additional data is necessary to conclude that, <br /> at a minimum, groundwater underlying the White Slough facility exceeds the upper range of the <br /> secondary maximum contaminant level for EC. <br /> Likewise, the average EC value exceeds the agricultural water quality goal of 700 <br /> Nmhos/cm as a long-term average, which, according to the Lodi permit, "would apply the <br /> narrative chemical constituents objective".42 This goal "is intended to prevent reduction in crop <br /> yield . . . for salt-sensitive crops, such as beans, carrots, turnips, and strawberries," which "are <br /> either currently grown in the area or may be grown in the future.,,43 Nevertheless, the Board <br /> notes that site-specific factors, such as periodic flooding or rainfall patterns, can affect irrigation <br /> 39 Basin Plan at III-10.00. <br /> 41 Ibid. The Basin Plan states that ground waters designated for municipal use"shall not contain concentrations of . <br /> chemical constitutents in excess of the . . . [MCLs] specified in the following provisions of Title 22. . ., which are <br /> incorporated by reference into this plan: Tables 64449-A. . . and 64449-B.° (Emphasis added.) <br /> 41 Accord, State Water Board Order WQ 2003-0009 (County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles and Bill <br /> Robinson). <br /> 42 Order No. R5-2007-0113, F-36. <br /> 43 Id. at F-36 through F-37. <br /> 15. <br />