The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - 2014-15

REGULATE:WASTE DISCHARGERS TO LAND - WDR

WDR Municipal

WDR Industrial Facilities

WDR All Other

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2000-01, the data show a downward trend in the number of inspections of WDR facilities performed annually, although the number of annual inspections has improved slightly over the last couple years. The number of inspections performed annually does vary by region, as can be seen in the regional graph. For compliance purposes, some facilities are inspected more than once a year, so the total number of inspections performed may be greater than the total number of facilities inspected.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

It is the Water Boards' policy to ensure that facilities comply with Water Quality Control Plans, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, and waste discharge requirements (WDR). This policy is implemented through the Regional Water Board comprehensive self-monitoring and compliance inspection programs. Inspections are a primary tool used in determining and documenting compliance with WDRs. Inspection frequencies for WDR facilities are based on threats to water quality, with high risk sites and registered complaints receiving more attention. In addition to inspections, the Regional Water Boards assess facility compliance by reviewing self-monitoring reports submitted by the discharger and responding to complaints. The conditions described by self-monitoring data are validated through periodic inspections, which are the Water Boards' only means to evaluate system maintenance and observe unreported activities.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2015.
• Unit of Measure: Number of inspections by fiscal year (FY).
• 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: Information on the Water Boards' WDR - NON15 Program
  Public reports and Data
  Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Information
  

GLOSSARY

Large Municipal Facilities

Facilities discharging municipal waste serving a population equivalent to 1,000 people and with a design flow of greater than 100,000 gallons a day. This group only includes those facilities regulated with individual Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR).

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.

Industrial Sources

Facilities that treat and/or dispose of liquid or semisolid wastes from any servicing, producing, manufacturing or processing operations of whatever nature including mining, gravel washing, geothermal operations, air conditioning, ship building and repairing, oil production, storage and disposal operations, and water well pumping.

All other WDR facilities

All facilities that treat and/or dispose of wastes that do not fall into one of the Municipal, Industrial and Agricultural Waste categories. It does not include Dairies or other Confined Animal facilities.

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.