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

REGULATE: NPDES WASTEWATER

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GROUP:

GENERAL NPDES FACILITIES

MEASURE:

NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED

MESSAGE:

Three Regional Boards conducted over 30% of inspections at General Facilities.

*KEY STATISTICS FOR FY 2008-09*
Number of Active Facilities	1,346
Number of Inspections	363
Number of Facilities Inspected	345

MEASUREMENTS

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data shows that facilities actively enrolled under a general permit are not inspected as frequently as individually regulated facilities. Statewide 26% of these facilities received an inspection. Almost 90% of the inspections were carried out by three Regional Boards.

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

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

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.