The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2013-14
REGULATE: NPDES STORMWATER
GROUP:
NPDES STORMWATER CONSTRUCTION FACILITIES
MEASURE:
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED
MESSAGE:
Approximately 18% of construction facilities regulated under the storm water program were inspected in FY 13-14.
Key Statistics for FY 2013-14
Number of Active Facilities
8,810
Number of Inspections
1,865
Number of Facilities Inspected
1,586
MEASUREMENTS - Data Last Updated on:
10-20-2014 (2:33 pm)
Region
Facilities Active At Least One Day During FY 2013-14
Inspections
Facilities Inspected
Percentage Facilities Inspected
1
210
70
56
27%
2
1,329
84
77
6%
3
539
25
20
4%
4
1,491
468
441
30%
5
2,079
610
468
23%
6
424
36
26
6%
7
319
39
39
12%
8
1,266
384
342
27%
9
1,153
149
117
10%
TOTAL
8,810
1,865
1,586
18%
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
Although the number of construction facilities regulated under the stormwater program has seen a significant reduction due the slowdown in construction activity, the program maintained a similar level of inspection coverage than previous years. The stormwater construction program conducted 1,865 inspections at 1,586 facilities. Although this represent a reduction compared to the 1,991 inspections in FY 11-12 and 2,795 inspections in FY 10-11, it is an increase compared to the 1,811 inspections in FY 12-13 and is the largest number of inspections conducted by any Water Board program statewide. If compared to the 8,810 construction sites that were active at least one day during the fiscal year, the percentage of facilities inspected was 18%. Some facilities are inspected more than once a year, which is why the total number of inspections is greater than the total number of facilities inspected.
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
Inspections are a primary tool used in determining and documenting compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and waste discharge requirements. Inspections are the primary tool used in the NPDES Stormwater Construction program to assess compliance with NPDES requirements. The stormwater construction program is unique in that the industrial activity (construction, land disturbance) is temporary in nature. Other industrial activities tend to be more long term (e.g., cement manufacturing, auto dismantling). As a result, it is critical to inspect construction facilities during the actual construction activity. Most construction sites follow a process of (1) Grading and Land Development Phase, (2) Streets and Utilities Phase, (3) Vertical Construction Phase, and (4) Post Construction Phase. The type of storm water controls varies depending on the phase of construction. It is also helpful to inspect a construction site during both wet and dry weather periods to determine permit compliance. For all of these reasons, the storm water program considers inspection of construction facilities a high priority.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Data Source: SMARTS. Period July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
Unit of Measure: Number of facilities inspected at least once during FY 13-14.
Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA. It includes any inspection type. Facilities: Include any construction facility enrolled under the stormwater construction program that was active at least one day during FY 12-13.
Dischargers whose projects disturb 1 or more acres of soil or are part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs 1 or more acres,
are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction
General Permit, 2009-0009-DWQ).
General Permit
An NPDES permit issued under 40 CFR 122.28 that authorizes a category of discharges within a geographical area. A general permit is not specifically
tailored for an individual discharger.
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.
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.
