California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2018-19 

CLEAN UP: GROUNDWATER

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 10-08-2019 (1:14 pm)

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that of the State's 2,782 active cases, 741 cases (27 percent) were in active remediation during Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19. Active remediation actions to clean up and remediate the effects of pollution vary by case. Of the remaining active cases statewide, 43 percent of all cases (1,182 cases) were under site assessment; 18 percent of all cases (505 cases) were in assessment and interim remediation; and 11 percent of all cases (293 cases) were in verification monitoring. Statewide, the number of cases in active remediation has remained consistent over time, with 704 cases in FY 2014-15, 722 cases in FY 2015-2016, 744 cases in FY 2016-17, 762 cases in FY 2017-18, and 741 cases in FY 2018-19.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The process of cleaning and remediating the impacts of pollution may take several years and may be completed in different phases. For as long as a case is active, work is done to investigate the nature and extent of the contamination, determine appropriate cleanup goals, and construct/implement actions to effect cleanup (remediation). In some cases the investigation may lead to a determination that no further action is needed. A case remains active until this determination is documented. Tracking the number of cases in active remediation and active cases is important to assess the current workload, plan future workload and funding requirements, and evaluate the program's 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 doing at getting cleanup cases to this important milestone.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data source: GEOTRACKER. Period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 .
• 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, 2019 . Inactive Cases: Cases that have a status of inactive at June 30, 2019 . New Cases: (Releases) The number of cases that had a status of Open - Case begin date occur any time between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 . Cases Closed: The number of cases that had a status of completed - Case closed occurs any time between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 .
• 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.