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

CLEAN UP: GROUNDWATER

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on: 10-08-2019 (11:49 am)

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that of the State's 1,775 active cases during FY 18-19, 457 cases (26 percent) were in remediation, 118 cases (7 percent) were in assessment and interim remediation, and 738 cases (42 percent) were in site assessment. Thirty-three percent of all cases in active remediation were in the Central Valley Region (Region 5).

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 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 shift from assessment/planning to "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 . Cases In Active Remediation: Cases with a status of Open-Remediation any time between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 . Cases in Assessment and Interim Remediation: Cases being assessed or monitored previous to remediation. Site Assessment: Cases currently being assessed. Verification Monitoring: Cases currently being monitored.
• References: The Water Boards' Department of Defense Program
  Public Reports and Data

GLOSSARY

Military Sites - Department of Defense Program

Decades of defense activities have degraded water quality on and around federally-owned facilities. Working with other agencies, the Regional Boards are involved with remedial investigation and cleanup actions. Agreements with the Department of Defense provide for accelerated cleanups at military bases and other Defense sites scheduled for closure and reuse. Site investigation and cleanup procedures are consistent with State laws and regulations as well as applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) which guides the federal Superfund program.

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. Active remedy includes: Interim remedial cleanup actions and final remedial cleanup actions that are intended to substantially address site pollution; Monitored natural attenuation, if that was the result of a remedy-selection process (e.g. through an approved CAP/RAP). Active remedy does not include: Pilot studies for remedies that are being considered; "Monitor only" cases that have not yet gone through the remedy selection process.