The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2012-13

REGULATE:NPDES WASTEWATER

 
GROUP: NPDES WASTEWATER
MEASURE: INSPECTION TRENDS
MESSAGE:  Downward trend in the number of inspections conducted in the NPDES wastewater program.

 

MEASUREMENTS 

NPDES Major Individual

Region 2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2011
2011
2012
2012
2013
Grand
Total

NPDES Minor Individual

Region 2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2011
2011
2012
2012
2013
Grand
Total

NPDES Minor General

Region 2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2011
2011
2012
2012
2013
Grand
Total

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show a downward trend in the number of inspections conducted since Fiscal Year 2000-2001. This downward trend is not equal in every region and some regions such R5 have been able to maintain the number of inspections conducted. For compliance purposes, some facilities are inspected more than once a year, which is why the total number of inspections is greater than the total number of facilities inspected.

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. The US EPA 2007 Compliance Monitoring Strategy (http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/resources/policies/monitoring/cwa/npdescms.pdf) provides inspection frequency goals for NPDES regulated facilities. It is the policy of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to ensure compliance with Water Quality Control Plans, NPDES permits, and Waste Discharge Requirements through Regional Board implementation of a comprehensive self-monitoring and compliance inspection program. Comparing the number of inspections by fiscal year may help improving the performance of the Water Boards, if the trends are moving in the wrong direction, it would assist management in early detection and correction of problems.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2013. Extracted on August 12, 2013.
  • Unit of Measure:Number of inspections by fiscal year (FY).
  • Data Definitions: Inspections: inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA contractors. Facility: any facility that discharges (municipal, industrial, and publically-owned treatment works (POTWs) wastewater) pollutants through a point source into waters of the United States.Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA contractors. Facilities Inspected: Count of facilities inspected one or more times during a fiscal year.
  • References: Information on the Water Boards' NPDES program
    Public Reports and Data
    Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Information

GLOSSARY

Major Facility
Major municipal dischargers include all facilities with design flows of greater than one million gallons per day and facilities with approved industrial pretreatment programs. Major industrial facilities are determined based on specific ratings criteria developed by US EPA/State.

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.

Minor Facility
A minor facility is a discharge with a design flow of less than one million gallons per day (MGD) that has not been determined to have an actual or potential adverse environmental impact classifying the discharge as major.

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.

Inspection (Compliance and Non Compliance)
The Regional Board or State Board may inspect the facilities of any discharger at any time pursuant to Water Code, Section 13267. Compliance activities include all activities necessary to determine if discharges are in compliance with waste discharge requirements, NPDES permits, and related enforcement orders. Compliance inspections are classified as either Level A or Level B, with Level A being more thorough.
 

 

( Page last updated:  6/4/14 )