California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2020-21 

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS).
• Unit of Measure: Documented Violations. Violation date in calendar year  2020  .
• Data Definitions: Violations with status "violation".
• References:
  • The Water Boards' NPDES Program
  • Public Reports and Data
  • Office of Enforcement
  • The Water Boards' Enforcement Policy

GLOSSARY

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.