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

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

Although the percentage of facilities inspected varies among the different Regional Water Boards, the statewide percentage of facilities inspected is relatively low. Overall, 16% (compared to 11% in FY 11-12) of the small municipal facilities were inspected. Almost 34% of small domestic facilities are concentrated in Region 5. 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

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. Inspections are a primary tool used in the WDR program to assess compliance with requirements. Inspection frequencies for WDR facilities are based on threats to water quality. In addition, the Regional Boards assess compliance by reviewing self-monitoring reports submitted by the discharger and responding to complaints. Validation of conditions described by self-monitoring data must be done through periodic inspection, and inspection is the only means to evaluate system maintenance and to observe unreported activities. Inspections are performed by priority, with high-risk sites and registered complaints receiving more attention. Small Municipal facilities may be a lower threat to water quality than large facilities because the volume of discharge is smaller. Thus a lower inspection frequency may be warranted, but the sheer number of small facilities requires a significant level of effort to maintain the needed field presence.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Extracted on August 12, 2013.
• Unit of Measure: Number of inspections and number of facilities inspected.
• Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA contractors. Facilities Inspected: Count of facilities inspected one or more times during a fiscal year.
• References: More information on the Water Boards’ WDR - NON15 program is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/land_disposal/waste_discharge_requirements.shtml
• Public reports and data are available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ciwqs/publicreports.shtml
• Enforcement and compliance assurance information is available at: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/enforcement/  

GLOSSARY

Small Municipal and Domestic Waste Facilities

Facilities discharging municipal waste serving a population equivalent to less than 1,000 people and with a design flow less than 100,000 gallons a day. Small municipal waste facilities are typically regulated under a general order and may include facilities discharging to subsurface systems such as septic tanks and leach fields or small wastewater package plants.

Municipal Sources

Facilities that treat sewage or a mixture of predominantly sewage and other waste from districts, municipalities, communities, hospitals, schools, and publicly or privately owned systems (excluding individual surface leaching systems disposing of less than 1,000 gallons per day).

Waste Discharge Requirements Program

The Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Program regulates all point source discharges of waste to land that do not require full containment (which falls under the Land Discharge Program), or are not subject to the NPDES Program.

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.

( Page last updated:  9/13/13 )