The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2008-09

REGULATE: NPDES WASTEWATER

MEASUREMENTS

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data shows that two of the Regional Boards inspected every Minor NPDES wastewater facility during fiscal year 2008-2009. Overall 30% of the facilities were inspected. Some facilities are inspected more than once a year, that 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 Water Board’s Memorandum of Agreement with US EPA specifies that minor facilities be inspected at least once every five years.  This translates to 20% of all minor facilities inspected each year.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS.  Period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. Extracted on August 15, 2009.
• Unit of Measure: Number of facilities inspected at least once during FY 08-09.
• Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA.
• References: More information on the Water Boards’ NPDES program is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/npdes/
• Public reports and data are available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ciwqs/publicreports.shtml
• Enforcement and compliance assurance information is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/enforcement/ 

GLOSSARY

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.

(Updated 9/20/11)