California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2019-20 

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS).
• Unit of Measure: Documented Violations. Violation date in calendar year 2018.
• Data Definitions: Violations with status "violation".
• References: The Water Boards' NPDES Program
  Public Reports and Data
  Office of Enforcement
  The Water Boards' Enforcement Policy

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.