The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2015-16 

CLEAN UP: GROUNDWATER

MEASUREMENTS  - Data last updated on:  11-30-2016 (10:41 am)

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

The data show that of the State's 2,408 active cases, 788 cases (33 percent) were in active remediation during Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-16. Active remediation actions to clean up and remediate the effects of pollution vary by case. The number of cases in active remediation has been relatively constant over the last several FYs.

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

The process of cleaning Leaking Underground Storage Tanks may take several years and may be completed in different phases. Tracking the number of cases in active remediation and the total number of active cases is important to assess the current workload, plan future workload and funding requirements, and evaluate the results of the program's cleanup efforts.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data source: GEOTRACKER. Period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.
• 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, 2016. Inactive Cases: Cases that have a status of inactive at 06/30/2016. New Cases: The number of cases that had a status of Open - Case begin date occur any time between 07/01/2015 and 06/30/2016. Cases Closed: The number of cases that had a status of completed - Case closed occurs any time between 07/01/2015 and 06/30/2016.
• References:
  The Water Boards' Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Program
  Public Reports and Data
  FY 14/15 Annual Agency Status Report

GLOSSARY

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

Leaking underground storage tanks are a significant source of petroleum impacts to groundwater and a risk to human health and safety. Contamination may impact drinking water aquifers, public or private drinking water wells, and present a risk of exposure to humans through inhalation of vapors. These threats are minimized when UST owners or operators (responsible parties) report a leak to the environment to the local regulatory agency within 24 hours of detection. If a leak occurs, responsible parties or their representative must notify the appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board or County Agency and submit an unauthorized release form. Site investigation and cleanup (corrective action) costs can only be reimbursed by the Cleanup Fund after the tank release has been reported to the Regional Board or county regulatory agency. Regional Board and many County Agencies are authorized to oversee the investigation and cleanup of UST system releases.

Case Closure

UST site 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.

Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy

This policy is a state policy for water quality control and applies to all petroleum UST sites subject to Chapter 6.7 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code and Chapter 16 of Division 3 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.

( Page last updated:  10/11/16 )