The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2014-15
REGULATE: CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES
GROUP:
DAIRIES AND CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES (CAFs)
MEASURE:
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED
MESSAGE:
Significant variation in inspection frequency across the regions.
Key Statistics for FY 2014-15
Number of Active Facilities
1,697
Number of Inspections
596
Number of Facilities Inspected
518
MEASUREMENTS - Data Last Updated on: 07-05-2016 (3:43 pm)
Region
Facilities
Inspections
Facilities Inspected
Percentage Facilities Inspected
1
131
29
27
21%
2
53
0
0
0%
3
5
0
0
0%
4
2
0
0
0%
5
1,317
443
371
28%
6
19
5
4
21%
7
32
8
7
22%
8
127
110
108
85%
9
11
1
1
9%
TOTAL
1,697
596
518
31%
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
The percentage and number of facilities inspected varies among the Regional Boards. Region 5 conducted approximately 77 percent of all inspections in the inspections category. Region 8, with 7 percent of facilities, conducted 18 percent of inspections. Although the percentage of facilities inspected varies among the different Regional Boards, approximately 31 percent of facilities were inspected. Some facilities are inspected more than once a year, that is why the total number of inspections is greater than the total number of facilities inspected.
WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT
It is the policy of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to ensure compliance with Water Quality Control Plans, NPDES permits, and Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) through Regional Board implementation of a comprehensive self-monitoring and compliance inspection program. Inspections are a primary tool used in the WDR program to assess compliance with requirements. Inspection frequencies for WDR facilities are based on threats to water quality. In addition, the Regional Boards assess compliance by reviewing self-monitoring reports submitted by the discharger and responding to complaints. Validation of conditions described by self-monitoring data must be done through periodic inspection, and inspection is the only means to evaluate system maintenance and to observe unreported activities. Inspections are performed by priority, with high-risk sites and registered complaints receiving more attention.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
Unit of Measure: Number of regulated dairies and other confined animal facilities under the NPDES and WDR programs (including waivers of WDRs).
(Confined Animal Facility) is defined in California regulations as "any place where cattle, calves, sheep, swine, horses, mules, goats, fowl, or other domestic animals are corralled, penned, tethered, or otherwise enclosed or held and where feeding is by means other than grazing."
Dairy
An establishment for processing or selling milk and milk products.
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.
