The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2010-11

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

Although the number of construction facilities regulated under the stormwater program has seen a significant reduction due the slowdown in construction activity, the program maintained a similar level of inspection coverage than previous years. Many of the facilities active during the Fiscal Year did not enroll under the new stormwater permit for construction activities.The program conducted 2,795 inspections at 2,408 facilities. This is the largest number of inspections conducted by any Water Baord program statewide. If compared to the 6,980 construction sites that remained active and enrolled at the end of fiscal year, the percentage of facilities inspected was 35%. 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 the primary tool used in the NPDES Stormwater Construction program to assess compliance with NPDES requirements. The stormwater construction program is unique in that the industrial activity (construction, land disturbance) is temporary in nature. Other industrial activities tend to be more long term (e.g., cement manufacturing, auto dismantling). As a result, it is critical to inspect construction facilities during the actual construction activity. Most construction sites follow a process of (1) Grading and Land Development Phase, (2) Streets and Utilities Phase, (3) Vertical Construction Phase, and (4) Post Construction Phase. The type of storm water controls varies depending on the phase of construction. It is also helpful to inspect a construction site during both wet and dry weather periods to determine permit compliance. For all of these reasons, the storm water program considers inspection of construction facilities a high priority.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: SMARTS. Period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Extracted on August 9, 2011.
• Unit of Measure: Number of facilities inspected at least once during FY 10-11.
• Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA. It includes any inspection type. Facilities: Include any construction facility enrolled under the stormwater construction program that was active at least one day during FY 10-11 
• References: More information on the Water Boards’ NPDES Stormwater program is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/stormwater/
• 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

Construction Stormwater Program

Dischargers whose projects disturb 1 or more acres of soil or are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs 1 or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction General Permit, 2009-0009-DWQ).

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.

( Page last updated:  9/19/11 )