The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2009-10

REGULATE: NPDES STORMWATER

MEASUREMENTS

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

According to the data extracted from the Water Boards’ databases, there were 489 new or updated enrollees during fiscal year 2009-10. The regions with significant industrial activity tend to have the greatest number of enrollees under the stormwater industrial program.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The Industrial Stormwater Program regulates a large number of facilities and although the activity is not as temporary in nature as the Construction Stormwater Program it requires frequent verification that facilities, new or already enrolled under the permit, are in compliance with NPDES stormwater regulations. Non-municipal, or industrial sources, often generate wastewater that is discharged to surface waters. The types of wastewaters generated at a facility depend on the specific activities undertaken and may include manufacturing or process wastewaters, cooling waters, sanitary wastewater, and stormwater runoff. This program is very dynamic and many new applications are received each year. Processing all of the new applications and permit rescissions represents a significant workload for the program.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: SMARTS. Period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Extracted on August 9, 2010.
• • Unit of Measure: Number of facilities enrolled under the program during FY 09-10.
• Data Definitions: Facilities enrolled under a general industrial stormwater permit.
• References: More information on the Water Boards' NPDES Stormwater program is available at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/
• Public reports and data are available at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ciwqs/publicreports.shtml
• Enforcement and compliance assurance information is available at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/enforcement/ 

GLOSSARY

General Permit

An NPDES permit issued under 40 CFR 122.28 that authorizes a category of discharges under the CWA within a geographical area. A general permit is not specifically tailored for an individual discharger.

Industrial Stormwater Program

Discharges associated with 10 broad categories of industrial activities are regulated under the Industrial Storm Water General Permit Order 97-03-DWQ (General Industrial Permit), which is an NPDES permit.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

The NPDES permit program (Section 402 of the Clean Water Act ) controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.  US EPA has approved the Water Board’s program to issue NPDES permits.

( Updated 9/20/11 )