The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved an amendment to the North Coast Region Water Quality Control Plan that adds new Russian River Watershed pathogen and bacteria controls.
On Aug. 18, the board adopted Resolution 2026-0028 on a 5–0 vote, according to the board’s meeting minutes. All five members present voted yes, with no votes against, abstentions or absences recorded.
The amendment incorporates the Action Plan for Pathogens in the Russian River Watershed, establishes a fecal-waste discharge prohibition and a total maximum daily load for bacteria in the watershed, and removes the policy governing onsite waste treatment and disposal practices specific to the Russian River Watershed, including the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the minutes say.
The minutes establish the vote and the policy changes but do not state an implementation schedule, identify affected dischargers or onsite systems, or estimate compliance costs. Those details will require follow-up with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the State Water Board.
