The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2016-17 

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

It is the Water Boards' policy to ensure that facilities comply with Water Quality Control Plans, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, and waste discharge requirements (WDR). This policy is implemented through the Regional Water Board comprehensive self-monitoring and compliance inspection programs. Inspections are a primary tool used in determining and documenting compliance with WDRs. Inspection frequencies for WDR facilities are based on threats to water quality, with high risk sites and registered complaints receiving more attention. In addition to inspections, the Regional Water Boards assess facility compliance by reviewing self-monitoring reports submitted by the discharger and responding to complaints. The conditions described by self-monitoring data are validated through periodic inspections, which are the Water Boards' only means to evaluate system maintenance and observe unreported activities.

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
• Unit of Measure: Number of inspections and number of facilities inspected.
• Data Definitions: Inspections: include inspections conducted by Regional or State Water Board staff, or US EPA contractors. Facilities Inspected: Count of facilities inspected one or more times during a fiscal year.
• References: Information on the Water Boards' WDR - NON15 program
  Public Reports and Data
  Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Information

GLOSSARY

Industrial Sources

Facilities that treat and/or dispose of liquid or semisolid wastes from any servicing, producing, manufacturing or processing operations of whatever nature including mining, gravel washing, geothermal operations, air conditioning, ship building and repairing, oil production, storage and disposal operations, and water well pumping.

Waste Discharge Requirements Program

The Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Program regulates all point source discharges of waste to land that do not require full containment (which falls under the Land Discharge Program), or are not subject to the NPDES Program.

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.

( Page last updated:  1/16/18 )