The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2011-12
REGULATE: NPDES WASTEWATER |
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| GROUP: |
GENERAL NPDES FACILITIES |
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| MEASURE: |
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED |
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| MESSAGE: |
Approximately 9% of the facilities regulated under NPDES general permits were inspected by the Regional Boards. |
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MEASUREMENTS
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
The data show that facilities actively enrolled under a general permit are not inspected as frequently as individually regulated facilities. Statewide 9% of these facilities received an inspection. Almost 85% of the inspections in this category were carried out by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (R4).
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
Inspections are a primary tool used in determining and documenting compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and waste discharge requirements. Facilities regulated under a general permit have a lower threat to water quality and therefore the recommended inspection frequency is lower than that of individually regulated facilities.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
GLOSSARY
- General Permit
- An NPDES permit issued under 40 CFR 122.28 that authorizes a category of discharges within a geographical area. A general permit is not specifically tailored for an individual discharger.
- 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.
