The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2012-13

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that of the 3,940 cases that were active during FY 12-13 approximately 17.5% were taking actions to clean up and remediate the effects of pollution at different levels. Region 4 has a large number of active cases that are not in active remediation when compared to the rest of the Regional Water Boards. Almost 60% of active cases are under site assessment. The number of cases with active remediation is gradually increasing over time, with 647 cases in FY 08-09, 676 in FY 09-1, 696 cases in FY 10-11, 711 in FY 11-12, and now 688 in FY 12-13.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The process of cleaning and remediation of the impacts of pollution may take several years and may be completed in different phases. During the period that a case remains active, work will be done to investigate the nature and extent of the contamination, determine appropriate cleanup goals and construct/implement actions to effect cleanup (remediation). For some cases the investigation may lead to a determination that no further action is needed. A case will remain active until this determination is documented. Tracking the number of cases in active remediation and active cases is important to assess and plan the future workload and evaluate results. The start of active remediation is a major milestone for a cleanup case, signifying the start of "on the ground" remediation. This performance measure is intended to show how well the Water Boards are getting cleanup cases to this important milestone.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data source: GEOTRACKER. Period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.
• Unit of Measure: Number of cases.
• Data Definitions: Active Cases: The number of cases overseen by Regional Boards that had an Open status as of June 30, 2013. Inactive Cases: Cases that have a status of inactive at 06/30/2013. New Cases: (Releases) The number of cases that had a status of Open - Case begin date occur any time between 07/01/2012 and 06/30/2013. Cases Closed: The number of cases that had a status of completed - Case closed occurs any time between 07/01/2012 and 06/30/2013.
• References:
  The Water Boards' Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Program
  Brownfields
  Public Reports and Data

GLOSSARY:

Site Cleanup

The Site Cleanup program addresses commercial, industrial and other non-military sites with non-fuel contamination. Many of these sites are considered Brownfields because of their reuse potential. These sites are regulated under Site Cleanup Requirements, which are issued by the Regional Water Boards. Site Cleanup Requirements generally mandate a time schedule for specific tasks that must be performed by the responsible party(ies) to investigate and clean up the site. Water Board staff oversee implementation of these tasks including investigations, corrective actions, and human health risk assessments at sites with current or historic unauthorized discharges, which have adversely affected or threaten to adversely affect waters of the state.

Procedures for site investigation and remediation are promulgated in State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 92-49 entitled Policies and Procedures For Investigation and Cleanup and Abatement of Discharges Under Water Code Section 13304. Responsible parties conduct work in a stepwise fashion, starting with preliminary assessment, then soil and water investigation; interim remedial measures if warranted; risk assessment; setting cleanup goals; cleanup plan; cleanup implementation and monitoring. Most often, responsible parties conduct the work voluntarily, but sometimes enforcement orders are necessary to compel the work to be performed.

Active Remediation

Active remediation comprises the phase(s) of work where the actual construction or implementation of activities to accomplish cleanup at a site occurs.

Case Closure

A site cleanup qualifies to receive a "No Further Action" (closure) letter once the owner or operator meets all appropriate corrective action requirements. After this occurs, the county agency or regional board will inform the responsible party in writing that no further work is required.

Number of cleanup cases groundwater contaminant migration under control

Means a count of all open Water Board-lead cases and Shared-lead cases where groundwater contaminant migration has been evaluated as of the end of the Fiscal Year.

( Page last updated:  9/23/13 )