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

REGULATE: NPDES STORMWATER

GROUP:

NPDES STORMWATER
MUNICIPAL FACILITIES

MEASURE:

NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED

MESSAGE:

Eight percent of large and medium size municipalities were audited or inspected in FY 11-12.

MEASUREMENTS

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that during Fiscal Year 2011-12 the regional boards conducted 61 inspections and audits at 47 large and medium size municipalities. There is a significant variation in the percentage of facilities inspected among the Regional Boards. Although Region 4 has one third of all large and medium size municipalities enrolled under the Phase I MS4 program, there was only one inspection conducted during FY 11-12

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

Inspections are the primary tool used in the NPDES Stormwater program to assess compliance with NPDES requirements. Large, Medium and Small municipalities inspections require a significant amount of time and resources and typically involve auditing the process and systems in place to ensure compliance with stormwater requirements.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. Extracted on July 30, 2012.
Unit of Measure: Number of active MS4 facilities inspected at least once during FY 11-12.
Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections and audits conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA. It includes any inspection type.
References: Information on the Water Boards’ NPDES Stormwater program
Public Reports and Data
Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Information

GLOSSARY

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: 9/10/12 )