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1415PERFORMANCE REPORT The Water Boards...

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The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2014-15

CLEAN UP: GROUNDWATER

GROUP:  LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS CLEANUP PROGRAM
MEASURE:  CASES CLOSED
CASES OPEN
MESSAGE: 

 

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 

Region Active Cases Inactive Cases New Cases Cases Closed Percent
of Cases
Closed
** Note: New Cases are a subset Active Cases
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WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that the Leaking Underground Storage Tank program remains very active, especially in those regions with a higher population density such as Regions 4 and 5. The percentage of cases closed varies for each region ranging from 11 percent 26 percent of the remaining active cases being closed during Fiscal Year (FY 14-15). The number of cases closed far exceeded the number of new releases indicating that significant progress is being made; however, statewide the number of active cases remain high. On May 1, 2012, the State Water Board adopted a Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy to improve UST cleanup process efficiency. A benefit of improved efficiency is the preservation of limited resources for mitigation of releases posing a greater threat to human and environmental health.

 

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

 

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Data source: GEOTRACKER. Period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
  • Unit of Measure: Number of cases.
  • Data Definitions: Active Cases: The number of cases overseen by Regional Boards that had an Open status as of June 30, 2015. Inactive Cases: Cases that have a status of inactive at 06/30/2015. New Cases: The number of cases that had a status of Open - Case begin date occur any time between 07/01/2014 and 06/30/2015. Cases Closed: The number of cases that had a status of completed - Case closed occurs any time between 07/01/2014 and 06/30/2015.
  • References:
    The Water Boards' Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Program
    Public Reports and Data
    FY 14/15 Annual Agency Status Report

 

GLOSSARY

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Leaking underground storage tanks are a significant source of petroleum impacts to groundwater and a risk to human health and safety. Contamination may impact drinking water aquifers, public or private drinking water wells, and present a risk of exposure to humans through inhalation of vapors. These threats are minimized when UST owners or operators (responsible parties) report a leak to the environment to the local regulatory agency within 24 hours of detection. If a leak occurs, responsible parties or their representative must notify the appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board or County Agency and submit an unauthorized release form. Site investigation and cleanup (corrective action) costs can only be reimbursed by the Cleanup Fund after the tank release has been reported to the Regional Board or county regulatory agency. Regional Board and many County Agencies are authorized to oversee the investigation and cleanup of UST system releases.

Case Closure
UST site qualifies to receive a "No Further Action" (closure) letter once the owner or operator meets all appropriate corrective action requirements. After this occurs, the county agency or regional board will inform the responsible party in writing that no further work is required.

Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy
This policy is a state policy for water quality control and applies to all petroleum UST sites subject to Chapter 6.7 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code and Chapter 16 of Division 3 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.

( Page last updated:  10/26/15 )

 
 

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