The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2009-10

REGULATE: LAND DISPOSAL

MEASUREMENTS

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that a significant percentage of facilities regulated under the land disposal program were inspected. Overall, 67% of the facilities were inspected. Several facilities were 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 the Land Disposal program to assess compliance with requirements. The Land Disposal program regulates discharges of waste to land that need containment in order to protect water quality, including landfills, waste ponds, waste piles, and land treatment units.  Other compliance assurance activities include reviewing monitoring reports and responding to complaints. The number of inspections and the number of facilities inspected are the only measures reported at this point related to compliance assurance activities. Open landfills actively receiving waste are considered a higher threat to water quality and a higher frequency of inspection is necessary in order to properly assess compliance with Waste Discharge Requirements.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS.  Period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. Extracted on July 17, 2010.
• Unit of Measure: Number of facilities inspected at least once during FY 09-10.
• Data Definitions: Inspections conducted by Regional Water Board staff, State Water Board staff, or contractors. Inspections include both compliance inspections and construction inspections.
• References: More information on the Water Boards’ Land Disposal program is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/land_disposal/index.shtml
• 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

Land Disposal

The Land Disposal program regulates of waste discharge to land for treatment, storage and disposal in waste management units. Waste management units include waste piles, surface impoundments, and landfills. California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 23, (Chapter 15) contains the regulatory requirements for hazardous waste. CCR Title 27, contains the regulatory requirements for wastes other than hazardous waste.

( Updated 9/20/11 )