Project Specifics

McAnally Egg Enterprises was interested in relocating their existing egg laying and processing facility to a new, previously undeveloped site in Riverside County, California to make way for a large housing development.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

The proposed 30 acre site lies within the San Jacinto River watershed and the San Jacinto-Lower Pressure groundwater management zone.A regulatory review indicated that the proposed relocated egg processing facility would require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) clearance and any egg wash water storage or treatment system planned from the new facility would require approval from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (SARWQCB). Geosyntec was retained to evaluate and recommend a wastewater management approach for the projected 7,200 gallons per day waste stream generated by the proposed egg processing facility, as well as evaluate the impacts the new facility may have on the surface water and groundwater resources in the area.

Geosyntec produced a technical report that evaluated different wastewater management alternatives, as well as a water quality technical memorandum summarized the potential impacts stormwater runoff from the new facility may have on the San Jacinto River and the regional aquifer. This effort included the following: • Identification and summary of state and county regulatory requirements • Evaluating wastewater management options including groundwater disposal, piping to sanitary sewer, and mechanical and passive evaporation systems • Estimating the runoff quantity and quality from the facility parking lots, hen houses, and other proposed infrastructure with and without stormwater BMPs • Providing recommendations for managing both wastewater and stormwater at the site • Assisting with the water quality component of the environmental impact report (EIR) for the facility

Notable Accomplishments

Due to the naturally high rates of evaporation in the area, Geosyntec recommended open water evaporation basins (2) as the most cost effective, sustainable, and environmentally protective solution for disposal of the wastewaters from the egg processing facility. The sensitivity of the receiving waters regarding additional total dissolved solids favored this solution. Impacts from stormwater runoff were found to be minimal if Geosyntec recommended source and treatment control measures were implemented. Source control recommendations included stabilizing exposed soils and minimizing the use of galvanized roofing materials. Water quality swales and/or infiltration trenches were recommended for treating parking lot runoff.

What is a Quick Qual?