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The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2011-12

ENFORCE: NPDES WASTEWATER

GROUP:  ALL NPDES WASTEWATER FACILITIES
MEASURE:  VIOLATIONS PER FACILITY
MESSAGE:  Uneven distribution of violations per facility among regional boards..
KEY STATISTICS FOR 2011

 

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 

Region NPDES Facilities Facilities with 1-25 violations during 2011 Facilities with more than 25 violations during 2011 Total Violations Average Number of Violations per facility in violation

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data in Table 3 indicate an uneven distribution of the average number of violations per facility among the different Regional Water Board offices.  The reasons for this variability include differences in facility-specific requirements, differences in Regional Water Board office processes, the priority assigned to report review and data entry, and the differences in rates of compliance among dischargers.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

Violations are detected through reviewing of self monitoring reports, inspections and complaints. The enforcement policy requires that the Water Boards ensure that all violations are documented in the appropriate Water Board data management system. According to the enforcement policy all violations will be entered within 10 days of discovery of the violation. Identification and documentation of violations is important to ensure that water quality is protected and that serious violations and those high priority violations receive an adequate enforcement response. Tracking violations and compliance rates over time is necessary to assess the effectiveness of the Water Boards enforcement policies and actions. Facilities with more than 25 violations may indicate a chronic problem of noncompliance. At the same time the average number of violations per facility in violation may indicate both a problem of chronic noncompliance and a possible variance in the criteria for recording and documenting violations.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

GLOSSARY

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.

( Page last updated:  8/31/12 )

 
 

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