The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2011-12
REGULATE: NPDES STORMWATER |
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GROUP: |
NPDES STORMWATER INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES |
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MEASURE: |
NUMBER OF ENROLLEES ACTIVE, NEW AND TERMINATED
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MESSAGE: |
There was a 9% turnover in industrial stormwater facilities enrolled under the program.
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MEASUREMENTS
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
According to the data extracted from the Water Boards’ databases, there were 438 new or updated enrollees and 399 facilities terminated enrolment during fiscal year 2011-12. The regions with significant industrial activity tend to have the greatest number of enrollees under the stormwater industrial program.
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
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.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
GLOSSARY
- 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.
- 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.
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