The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2011-12

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

As expected, the larger number of construction and industrial facilities are concentrated in large urbanized areas.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The Construction Stormwater Program is unique in that the industrial activity (construction, land disturbance) is temporary in nature. This program is very dynamic and many new applications are received every year. As construction activities are completed, enrollees must submit a notice of termination. Therefore processing all new applications and permit rescissions represent a significant workload for the program. The Industrial Stormwater Program regulates a large number of facilities and although the activity is not as temporary in nature as the Construction Stormwater Program it requires frequent verification that facilities, new or already enrolled under the permit, are in compliance with NPDES stormwater regulations. Non-municipal, or industrial sources, often generate wastewater that is discharged to surface waters. The types of wastewaters generated at a facility depend on the specific activities undertaken and may include manufacturing or process wastewaters, cooling waters, sanitary wastewater, and stormwater runoff. This program is very dynamic and many new applications are received each year. Processing all of the new applications and permit rescissions represents a significant workload for the program. The MS4 permits require the discharger to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Plan/Program with the goal of reducing the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable (MEP). MEP is the performance standard specified in Section 402(p) of the Clean Water Act. The management programs specify what best management practices (BMPs) will be used to address certain program areas. The program areas include public education and outreach; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction and post-construction; and good housekeeping for municipal operations. In general, medium and large municipalities are required to conduct chemical monitoring, though small municipalities are not.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: Stormwater Multi-Application, Reporting, and Tracking System (SMARTS).
• Unit of Measure: Number of facilities discharging under an active stormwater NPDES general permit.
• Data Definitions: Permits Active.
• References: Information on the Water Boards' NPDES Stormwater Program
• Public Reports and Data

GLOSSARY

Construction Stormwater Program

Dischargers whose projects disturb one or more acres of soil or whose projects disturb less than one acre but are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres, are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ. Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation, but does not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility.

Industrial Stormwater Program

Discharges associated with 10 broad categories of industrial activities are regulated under the Industrial Storm Water General Permit Order 97-03-DWQ (General Industrial Permit), which is an NPDES permit.

Municipal Stormwater Phase I Facilities

The Municipal Storm Water Permits regulate storm water discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). Under Phase I, which began in 1990, the Regional Water Boards have issued NPDES MS4 permits to permittees serving populations greater than 100,000 people. Many of these permits are issued to a group of co-permittees encompassing an entire metropolitan area. These permits are reissued as the permits expire.

Municipal Stormwater Phase II Facilities

Under Phase II, the State Water Board adopted a General Permit for the Discharge of Storm Water from Small MS4s (WQ Order No. 2003-0005-DWQ) to provide permit coverage for smaller municipalities (10,000 to 100,000 people), including non-traditional small MS4s which are governmental facilities such as military bases, public campuses, prisons and hospital complexes.

 

( Page last updated:  9/7/12 )