The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2012-13
REGULATE: NPDES WASTEWATER |
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| GROUP: |
GENERAL NPDES FACILITIES |
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| MEASURE: |
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED |
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| MESSAGE: |
Approximately 9% of the facilities regulated under NPDES general permits were inspected by the Regional Boards. |
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MEASUREMENTS
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
The data show that facilities actively enrolled under a general permit are not inspected as frequently as individually regulated facilities. Statewide 9% of these facilities received an inspection. Almost 89% of the inspections in this category were carried out by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (R4). Some facilities are inspected more than once a year, that is why the total number of inspections is greater than the total number of facilities inspected.
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
Inspections are a primary tool used in determining and documenting compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and waste discharge requirements. The Water Board’s Memorandum of Agreement with US EPA specifies that minor dischargers generally will be inspected once a year, as resources allow, but not less than once during a permit cycle. Facilities regulated under a general permit have a lower threat to water quality and therefore the recommended inspection frequency is lower than that of individually regulated facilities. It is the policy of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to ensure compliance with Water Quality Control Plans, NPDES permits, and Waste Discharge Requirements through Regional Board implementation of a comprehensive self- monitoring and compliance inspection program.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
GLOSSARY
- 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.
- Minor Facility
- A minor facility is a discharge with a design flow of less than one million gallons per day (MGD) that has not been determined to have an actual or potential adverse environmental impact classifying the discharge as major.
- 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.
- Inspection (Compliance and Non Compliance)
- The Regional Board or State Board may inspect the facilities of any discharger at any time pursuant to Water Code, Section 13267. Compliance activities include all activities necessary to determine if discharges are in compliance with waste discharge requirements, NPDES permits, and related enforcement orders. Compliance inspections are classified as either Level A or Level B, with Level A being more thorough.
