California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2017-18
REGULATE: CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES
DAIRIES AND CONFINED ANIMAL FACILITIES (CAFs)
NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS
NUMBER OF FACILITIES INSPECTED
Significant variation in inspection frequency across the regions.
| Key Statistics for FY 2017-18 | |
|---|---|
| Number of Active Facilities | 1,741 |
| Number of Inspections | 480 |
| Number of Facilities Inspected | 429 |
MEASUREMENTS - Data Last Updated on: 11-16-2018 (4:03 pm)
| Region | Facilities | Inspections | Facilities Inspected | Percentage Facilities Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 134 | 21 | 20 | 15% |
| 2 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 5 | 1,384 | 363 | 321 | 23% |
| 6 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 15% |
| 7 | 30 | 10 | 9 | 30% |
| 8 | 114 | 83 | 76 | 67% |
| 9 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| TOTAL | 1,741 | 480 | 429 | 25% |
WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING
The percentage and number of facilities inspected varies among the Regional Boards. Region 5, with 79 percent of the facilities, conducted approximately 75 percent of all inspections in the inspections category. Region 8, with 7 percent of facilities, conducted 17 percent of inspections. Although the percentage of facilities inspected varies among the different Regional Boards, approximately 24 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, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
- Unit of Measure: Number of regulated dairies and other confined animal facilities under the NPDES and WDR programs (including waivers of WDRs).
- References: SWRCB CAFO program site
Region 1 Dairy and CAFO program
Region 5 CAFO program
Region 8 Dairy program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Final CAFO Rule
GLOSSARY
- CAF
- 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.
