text:
(a) Any hearing or investigation by a regional board relating to investigating the quality of waters of the state, prescribing waste discharge requirements, issuing cease and desist orders, requiring the cleanup or abatement of waste, or imposing administrative civil liabilities or penalties may be conducted by a panel of three or more members of the regional board, but any final action in the matter shall be taken by the regional board. Due notice of any hearing shall be given to all affected persons. After a hearing, the panel shall report its proposed decision and order to the regional board and shall supply a copy to all parties who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy.

(b) No party who appears before the panel is precluded from appearing before the regional board at any subsequent hearing relating to the matter. Members of the panel are not disqualified from sitting as members of the regional board in deciding the matter.

(c) The regional board, after making an independent review of the record and taking additional evidence as may be necessary, may adopt, with or without revision, or reject, the proposed decision and order of the panel.

(d) For each meeting agenda notice that a regional board provides pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11125 of the Government Code, a regional board shall make the agenda notice available in both English and Spanish and may make the agenda notice available in any other language.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 551, Sec. 3. (SB 965) Effective January 1, 2013.)


kind: section

code: WAT

text: The members of a regional board, or their designees, with respect to matters within the regional board’s jurisdiction, may carry out prehearing conferences to address any of the matters described in subdivision (b) of Section 11511.5 of the Government Code. No party who appears at a prehearing conference is precluded from appearing before the regional board at any subsequent hearing relating to the matter.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 420, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2003.)

division: 7. WATER QUALITY

chapter: 4. Regional Water Quality Control

path: 7. WATER QUALITY > 4. Regional Water Quality Control > 2. General Provisions Relating to Powers and Duties of Regional Boards


text: Each regional board shall formulate and adopt water quality control plans for all areas within the region. Such plans shall conform to the policies set forth in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 13000) of this division and any state policy for water quality control. During the process of formulating such plans the regional boards shall consult with and consider the recommendations of affected state and local agencies. Such plans shall be periodically reviewed and may be revised.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 482.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans

path: 7. WATER QUALITY > 4. Regional Water Quality Control > 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
Each regional board shall establish such water quality objectives in water quality control plans as in its judgment will ensure the reasonable protection of beneficial uses and the prevention of nuisance; however, it is recognized that it may be possible for the quality of water to be changed to some degree without unreasonably affecting beneficial uses. Factors to be considered by a regional board in establishing water quality objectives shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the following:

(a) Past, present, and probable future beneficial uses of water.

(b) Environmental characteristics of the hydrographic unit under consideration, including the quality of water available thereto.

(c) Water quality conditions that could reasonably be achieved through the coordinated control of all factors which affect water quality in the area.

(d) Economic considerations.

(e) The need for developing housing within the region.

(f) The need to develop and use recycled water.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 187, Sec. 2.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
The program of implementation for achieving water quality objectives shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) A description of the nature of actions which are necessary to achieve the objectives, including recommendations for appropriate action by any entity, public or private.

(b) A time schedule for the actions to be taken.

(c) A description of surveillance to be undertaken to determine compliance with objectives.

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text: A regional board, in a water quality control plan or in waste discharge requirements, may specify certain conditions or areas where the discharge of waste, or certain types of waste, will not be permitted.

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text: The regional boards shall not adopt any water quality control plan unless a public hearing is first held, after the giving of notice of such hearing by publication in the affected county or counties pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. When the plan proposes to prohibit discharges of waste pursuant to Section 13243, similar notice shall be given by publication pursuant to Section 6061.3 of the Government Code.

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text: A water quality control plan, or a revision thereof adopted by a regional board, shall not become effective unless and until it is approved by the state board. The state board may approve such plan, or return it to the regional board for further consideration and resubmission to the state board. Upon resubmission the state board may either approve or, after a public hearing in the affected region, revise and approve such plan.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1288.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text: Guidelines adopted by a regional board shall not become effective unless and until approved by the state board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 758, Sec. 3.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
(a) The state board shall act upon any water quality control plan not later than 60 days from the date the regional board submitted the plan to the state board, or 90 days from the date of resubmission of the plan.

(b) When the state board is acting upon a water quality control plan that is being amended solely for an action related to a regional board’s total maximum daily load submittal, not including submittals related to listing, the state board shall not exceed the 60-day timeline, inclusive of the time spent sending the submittal back to the regional board, unless one of the following circumstances exists:

(1) The proposed amendment is for an exceedingly complex total maximum daily load. In order to determine if a total maximum daily load is exceedingly complex, the state board may consider a number of factors including, but not limited to, the volume of the record, the number of pollutants included, the number of dischargers and land uses involved, and the size of the watershed. The reason or reasons that any total maximum daily load is determined to be exceedingly complex shall be provided by the state board to the regional board in writing.

(2) The submittal by the regional board is clearly incomplete.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 20, Sec. 2. Effective April 8, 2002.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text: State offices, departments, and boards, in carrying out activities which may affect water quality, shall comply with water quality control plans approved or adopted by the state board unless otherwise directed or authorized by statute, in which case they shall indicate to the regional boards in writing their authority for not complying with such plans.

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
(a) At any time, the state board may, on its own motion, review the regional board’s failure to act under this article.

(b) The state board may find that the failure of the regional board to act was appropriate and proper. Upon finding that the failure of the regional board to act was inappropriate or improper, the state board may direct that appropriate action be taken by the regional board, refer the matter to another state agency having jurisdiction, take appropriate action itself, or take any combination of those actions. In taking any action, the state board is vested with all the powers of the regional boards under this division.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 288, Sec. 21. (SB 1169) Effective January 1, 2011.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
(a) The state board may, on behalf of itself or a regional board, accept donations of moneys from a permittee for the purpose of updating a water quality control plan as consistent with the designated use of the funds.

(b) The state board may, on behalf of itself or a regional board, accept moneys from donations, grants, or contributions, or through contractual agreements, from public agencies for the purpose of planning, permitting, or providing technical support for projects of public benefit within the state board’s or regional board’s jurisdiction.

(c) All funds received pursuant to this section shall be deposited, and separately accounted for, in the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account, for expenditure in accordance with the terms of the donation, grant, contribution, or contractual agreement.

(d) For the purposes of this section, “projects of public benefit” include, but are not limited to, projects directly related to climate change adaptation, ecosystem protection and restoration, water recycling, stormwater capture, water conservation, emergency preparedness, flood management, ambient water quality monitoring, research, and environmental justice.

(e) Before accepting any moneys pursuant to this section, the state board shall provide notice of its intent to accept those moneys and provide a description of the associated public benefit of those moneys in accordance with the requirements governing the notice of a meeting, as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 11125 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 833, Sec. 1. (AB 2501) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 3. Regional Water Quality Control Plans


text:
(a) Each of the following persons shall file with the appropriate regional board a report of the discharge, containing the information that may be required by the regional board:

(1) A person discharging waste, or proposing to discharge waste, within any region that could affect the quality of the waters of the state, other than into a community sewer system.

(2) A person who is a citizen, domiciliary, or political agency or entity of this state discharging waste, or proposing to discharge waste, outside the boundaries of the state in a manner that could affect the quality of the waters of the state within any region.

(3) A person operating, or proposing to construct, an injection well.

(b) A report of waste discharge need not be filed pursuant to subdivision (a) if the requirement is waived pursuant to Section 13269.

(c) Each person subject to subdivision (a) shall file with the appropriate regional board a report of waste discharge relative to any material change or proposed change in the character, location, or volume of the discharge.

(d) (1) (A) Each person who is subject to subdivision (a) or (c), or Section 13523 or 13523.1, shall submit an annual fee according to a fee schedule established by the state board.

(B) The total amount of annual fees collected pursuant to this section shall equal that amount necessary to recover costs incurred in connection with the issuance, administration, reviewing, monitoring, and enforcement of waste discharge requirements, waivers of waste discharge requirements, water recycling requirements, and master recycling permits.

(C) Recoverable costs may include, but are not limited to, costs incurred in reviewing waste discharge and water recycling reports; prescribing terms of waste discharge requirements, waivers of waste discharge requirements, water recycling requirements, master recycling permits, and monitoring requirements; enforcing and evaluating compliance with those requirements, waivers, and permits; conducting surface water and groundwater monitoring and modeling; analyzing laboratory samples; adopting, reviewing, and revising water quality control plans, state policies for water quality control, and recycling criteria; reviewing documents prepared for the purpose of regulating the discharge of waste or water recycling; and administrative costs incurred in connection with carrying out these actions.

(D) In establishing the amount of a fee that may be imposed on a confined animal feeding and holding operation pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, a dairy farm, the state board shall consider all of the following factors:

(i) The size of the operation.

(ii) Whether the operation has been issued a permit to operate pursuant to Section 1342 of Title 33 of the United States Code.

(iii) Any applicable waste discharge requirement or conditional waiver of a waste discharge requirement.

(iv) The type and amount of discharge from the operation.

(v) The pricing mechanism of the commodity produced.

(vi) Any compliance costs borne by the operation pursuant to state and federal water quality regulations.

(vii) Whether the operation participates in a quality assurance program certified by a regional water quality control board, the state board, or a federal water quality control agency.

(2) (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund, which is hereby created. The money in the fund is available for expenditure by the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, solely for the purposes of carrying out this division.

(B) (i) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the fees collected pursuant to this section from stormwater dischargers that are subject to a general industrial or construction stormwater permit under the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) shall be separately accounted for in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund.

(ii) Not less than 50 percent of the money in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund that is separately accounted for pursuant to clause (i) is available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for expenditure by the regional board with jurisdiction over the permitted industry or construction site that generated the fee to carry out stormwater programs in the region.

(iii) Each regional board that receives money pursuant to clause (ii) shall spend not less than 50 percent of that money solely on stormwater inspection and regulatory compliance issues associated with industrial and construction stormwater programs.

(3) A person who would be required to pay the annual fee prescribed by paragraph (1) for waste discharge requirements applicable to discharges of solid waste, as defined in Section 40191 of the Public Resources Code, at a waste management unit that is also regulated under Division 30 (commencing with Section 40000) of the Public Resources Code, shall be entitled to a waiver of the annual fee for the discharge of solid waste at the waste management unit imposed by paragraph (1) upon verification by the state board of payment of the fee imposed by Section 48000 of the Public Resources Code, and provided that the fee established pursuant to Section 48000 of the Public Resources Code generates revenues sufficient to fund the programs specified in Section 48004 of the Public Resources Code and the amount appropriated by the Legislature for those purposes is not reduced.

(e) Each person that discharges waste in a manner regulated by this section shall pay an annual fee to the state board. The state board shall establish, by regulation, a timetable for the payment of the annual fee. If the state board or a regional board determines that the discharge will not affect, or have the potential to affect, the quality of the waters of the state, all or part of the annual fee shall be refunded.

(f) (1) The state board shall adopt, by emergency regulations, a schedule of fees authorized under subdivision (d). The total revenue collected each year through annual fees shall be set at an amount equal to the revenue levels set forth in the Budget Act for this activity. The state board shall automatically adjust the annual fees each fiscal year to conform with the revenue levels set forth in the Budget Act for this activity. If the state board determines that the revenue collected during the preceding year was greater than, or less than, the revenue levels set forth in the Budget Act, the state board may further adjust the annual fees to compensate for the over and under collection of revenue.

(2) The emergency regulations adopted pursuant to this subdivision, any amendment thereto, or subsequent adjustments to the annual fees, shall be adopted by the state board in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The adoption of these regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, any emergency regulations adopted by the state board, or adjustments to the annual fees made by the state board pursuant to this section, are not subject to review by the Office of Administrative Law and shall remain in effect until revised by the state board.

(g) The state board shall adopt regulations setting forth reasonable time limits within which the regional board shall determine the adequacy of a report of waste discharge submitted under this section.

(h) Each report submitted under this section shall be sworn to, or submitted under penalty of perjury.

(i) The regulations adopted by the state board pursuant to subdivision (f) shall include a provision that annual fees shall not be imposed on those who pay fees under the national pollutant discharge elimination system until those fees are again due, at which time the fees shall become due on an annual basis.

(j) A person operating or proposing to construct an oil, gas, or geothermal injection well subject to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall not be required to pay a fee pursuant to subdivision (d) if the injection well is regulated by the Geologic Energy Management Division of the Department of Conservation, in lieu of the appropriate California regional water quality control board, pursuant to the memorandum of understanding, entered into between the state board and the Department of Conservation on May 19, 1988. This subdivision shall remain operative until the memorandum of understanding is revoked by the state board or the Department of Conservation.

(k) In addition to the report required by subdivision (a), before a person discharges mining waste, the person shall first submit both of the following to the regional board:

(1) A report on the physical and chemical characteristics of the waste that could affect its potential to cause pollution or contamination. The report shall include the results of all tests required by regulations adopted by the board, any test adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25141 of the Health and Safety Code for extractable, persistent, and bioaccumulative toxic substances in a waste or other material, and any other tests that the state board or regional board may require, including, but not limited to, tests needed to determine the acid-generating potential of the mining waste or the extent to which hazardous substances may persist in the waste after disposal.

(2) A report that evaluates the potential of the discharge of the mining waste to produce, over the long term, acid mine drainage, the discharge or leaching of heavy metals, or the release of other hazardous substances.

(l) Except upon the written request of the regional board, a report of waste discharge need not be filed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (c) by a user of recycled water that is being supplied by a supplier or distributor of recycled water for whom a master recycling permit has been issued pursuant to Section 13523.1.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 51, Sec. 40. (SB 122) Effective July 10, 2023.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements

path: 7. WATER QUALITY > 4. Regional Water Quality Control > 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The state board shall establish a fee in an amount sufficient to recover its costs in reviewing, processing, and enforcing “no exposure” certifications issued to facilities that apply for those certifications in accordance with a general industrial stormwater permit.

(b) Revenue generated pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2003, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 4. Effective October 28, 2003.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: On or before January 1 of each year, the state board shall report to the Governor and the Legislature on the expenditure of annual fees collected pursuant to Section 13260.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2003, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 1, Sec. 5. Effective October 28, 2003.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) A person who fails to furnish a report or pay a fee under Section 13260 when so requested by a regional board is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b).

(b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board or the state board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. Civil liability shall not be imposed by the regional board pursuant to this section if the state board has imposed liability against the same person for the same violation.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day the violation occurs.

(c) A person who discharges or proposes to discharge hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, who knowingly furnishes a false report under Section 13260, or who either willfully fails to furnish a report or willfully withholds material information under Section 13260 despite actual knowledge of that requirement, may be liable in accordance with subdivision (d) and is guilty of a misdemeanor.

This subdivision does not apply to any waste discharge that is subject to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370).

(d) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 288, Sec. 22. (SB 1169) Effective January 1, 2011.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: The Attorney General, at the request of the regional board or the state board, shall petition the superior court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, or permanent injunction, or combination thereof, as may be appropriate, requiring any person not complying with Section 13260 to comply therewith.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 869, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The regional board, after any necessary hearing, shall prescribe requirements as to the nature of any proposed discharge, existing discharge, or material change in an existing discharge, except discharges into a community sewer system, with relation to the conditions existing in the disposal area or receiving waters upon, or into which, the discharge is made or proposed. The requirements shall implement any relevant water quality control plans that have been adopted, and shall take into consideration the beneficial uses to be protected, the water quality objectives reasonably required for that purpose, other waste discharges, the need to prevent nuisance, and the provisions of Section 13241.

(b) A regional board, in prescribing requirements, need not authorize the utilization of the full waste assimilation capacities of the receiving waters.

(c) The requirements may contain a time schedule, subject to revision in the discretion of the board.

(d) The regional board may prescribe requirements although no discharge report has been filed.

(e) Upon application by any affected person, or on its own motion, the regional board may review and revise requirements. All requirements shall be reviewed periodically.

(f) The regional board shall notify in writing the person making or proposing the discharge or the change therein of the discharge requirements to be met. After receipt of the notice, the person so notified shall provide adequate means to meet the requirements.

(g) No discharge of waste into the waters of the state, whether or not the discharge is made pursuant to waste discharge requirements, shall create a vested right to continue the discharge. All discharges of waste into waters of the state are privileges, not rights.

(h) The regional board may incorporate the requirements prescribed pursuant to this section into a master recycling permit for either a supplier or distributor, or both, of recycled water.

(i) The state board or a regional board may prescribe general waste discharge requirements for a category of discharges if the state board or that regional board finds or determines that all of the following criteria apply to the discharges in that category:

(1) The discharges are produced by the same or similar operations.

(2) The discharges involve the same or similar types of waste.

(3) The discharges require the same or similar treatment standards.

(4) The discharges are more appropriately regulated under general discharge requirements than individual discharge requirements.

(j) The state board, after any necessary hearing, may prescribe waste discharge requirements in accordance with this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 421, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: Before a regional board issues or revises waste discharge requirements pursuant to Section 13263 for any discharge of mining waste, the regional board shall first determine that the proposed mining waste discharge is consistent with a waste management strategy that prevents the pollution or contamination of the waters of the state, particularly after closure of any waste management unit for mining waste.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 642, Sec. 7.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
The owner or operator of a facility that treats groundwater which qualifies as a hazardous waste pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code is exempt from the requirement to obtain a hazardous waste facility permit pursuant to Section 25201 of the Health and Safety Code for the treatment of groundwater if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The facility treats groundwater which is extracted for purposes of complying with one or more of the following:

(1) Waste discharge requirements prescribed pursuant to Section 13263.

(2) A cleanup or abatement order issued pursuant to Section 13304.

(3) A written authorization issued by a regional board or local agency designated pursuant to Section 25283 of the Health and Safety Code.

(4) An order or approved remedial action plan issued pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) The facility meets, at a minimum, all of the following operating standards:

(1) The treatment does not require a hazardous waste facilities permit pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq.).

(2) The facility operator prepares and maintains written operating instructions and a record of the dates, amounts, and types of waste treated.

(3) The facility operator prepares and maintains a written inspection schedule and log of inspections conducted.

(4) The records specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) are maintained by the owner or operator of the facility for a period of three years.

(5) The owner or operator maintains adequate records to demonstrate that it is in compliance with all of the pretreatment standards and with all of the applicable industrial waste discharge requirements issued by the agency operating the publicly owned treatment works into which the wastes are discharged.

(6) (A) Upon terminating the operation of any treatment process or unit exempted pursuant to this section, the owner or operator that conducted the treatment removes or decontaminates all waste residues, containment system components, soils, and other structures or equipment contaminated with hazardous waste from the unit. The removal of the unit from service shall be conducted in a manner that does both of the following:

(i) Minimizes the need for further maintenance.

(ii) Eliminates the escape of hazardous waste, hazardous constituents, leachate, contaminated runoff, or waste decomposition products to the environment after the treatment process ceases operation.

(B) Any owner or operator who permanently ceases operation of a treatment process or unit that is exempted pursuant to this section shall provide written notification to the regional board or local agency upon completion of all activities required by this subdivision.

(7) The waste is managed in accordance with all applicable requirements for generators of hazardous waste under Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code and the regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to that chapter.

(c) The groundwater is treated at the site where it is extracted in compliance with one or more of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subdivision (a).

(d) All other regulatory requirements applicable to the facility pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code are met by the owner or operator.

(e) The treatment of the contaminated groundwater is not performed under corrective action required by Section 25200.10 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 124. (AB 2327) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 130 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 258.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that pollution prevention should be the first step in a hierarchy for reducing pollution and managing wastes, and to achieve environmental stewardship for society. The Legislature also finds and declares that pollution prevention is necessary to achieve the federal goal of zero discharge of pollutants into navigable waters.

(b) (1) For the purposes of this section, “pollution prevention” means any action that causes a net reduction in the use or generation of a hazardous substance or other pollutant that is discharged into water and includes any of the following:

(A) “Input change,” which means a change in raw materials or feedstocks used in a production process or operation so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(B) “Operational improvement,” which means improved site management so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(C) “Production process change,” which means a change in a process, method, or technique that is used to produce a product or a desired result, including the return of materials or their components for reuse within the existing processes or operations, so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(D) “Product reformulation,” which means changes in design, composition, or specifications of end products, including product substitution, so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of problem pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “pollution prevention” does not include actions that merely shift a pollutant in wastewater from one environmental medium to another environmental medium, unless clear environmental benefits of such an approach are demonstrated.

(c) (1) For the purposes of this section, “discharger” means any entity required to obtain a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.), or any entity subject to the pretreatment program as defined in Part 403 (commencing with Section 403.1) of subchapter N of Chapter 1 of Part 403 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “industrial discharger” means any discharger other than a publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

(d) (1) The state board, a regional board, or a POTW may require a discharger subject to its jurisdiction to complete a pollution prevention plan if any of the following apply:

(A) A discharger is determined to be a chronic violator and the board or the POTW determines that pollution prevention could achieve compliance.

(B) The discharger contributes, or has the potential to contribute, to the formation of a toxic hot spot as defined in Section 13391.5.

(C) The discharger discharges a pollutant for which the permitted level is lower than the practical quantification limit and the state board, a regional board, or the POTW determines that additional reductions of the pollutant are necessary.

(D) The board determines pollution prevention is necessary to achieve a water quality objective.

(2) The state board, a regional board, or a POTW may require an industrial discharger subject to its jurisdiction to complete a pollution prevention plan that includes all of the following:

(A) An analysis of the pollutants that the facility discharges into water or introduces into POTWs, a description of the sources of the pollutants, and a comprehensive review of the processes used by the discharger that result in the generation and discharge of the pollutants.

(B) An analysis of the potential for pollution prevention to reduce the generation of the pollutants, including the application of innovative and alternative technologies and any adverse environmental impacts resulting from the use of those methods.

(C) A detailed description of the tasks and time schedules required to investigate and implement various elements of pollution prevention techniques.

(D) A statement of the discharger’s pollution prevention goals and strategies, including priorities for short-term and long-term action.

(E) A description of the discharger’s intended pollution prevention activities for the immediate future.

(F) A description of the discharger’s existing pollution prevention methods.

(G) A statement that the discharger’s existing and planned pollution prevention strategies do not constitute cross-media pollution transfers, and information that supports that statement.

(H) Toxic chemical release data for those dischargers subject to Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11023).

(I) Proof of compliance with the Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Management Review Act of 1989 (Article 11.9 (commencing with Section 25244.12) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code) if the discharger is also subject to that act.

(J) An analysis of the relative costs and benefits of the possible pollution prevention activities.

(3) A regional board may require a POTW to complete a pollution prevention plan that includes all of the following:

(A) An estimate of all of the sources of a pollutant contributing, or potentially contributing, to the loadings of a pollutants in the treatment plant influent.

(B) An analysis of the methods that could be used to prevent the discharge of the pollutants into the POTW, including application of local limits to industrial or commercial dischargers regarding pollution prevention techniques, public education and outreach, or other innovative and alternative approaches to reduce discharges of the pollutant to the POTW. The analysis also shall identify sources, or potential sources, not within the ability or authority of the POTW to control, such as pollutants in the potable water supply, airborne pollutants, pharmaceuticals, or pesticides, and estimate the magnitude of those sources, to the extent feasible.

(C) An estimate of load reductions that may be attained through the methods identified in subparagraph (B).

(D) A plan for monitoring the results of the pollution prevention program.

(E) A description of the tasks, cost, and time required to investigate and implement various elements in the pollution prevention plan.

(F) A statement of the POTW’s pollution prevention goals and strategies, including priorities for short-term and long-term action, and a description of the POTW’s intended pollution prevention activities for the immediate future.

(G) A description of the POTW’s existing pollution prevention programs.

(H) An analysis, to the extent feasible, of any adverse environmental impacts, including cross-media impacts or substitute chemicals, that may result from the implementation of the pollution prevention program.

(I) An analysis, to the extent feasible, of the costs and benefits that may be incurred to implement the pollution prevention program.

(e) The state board or the regional board may establish a schedule of actions identified in the pollution prevention plans for the discharger.

(f) The state board or regional board shall solicit comments from the public on a pollution prevention plan prepared pursuant to this section and address the public comments when determining what schedule of actions, if any, to establish for the discharger pursuant to this section.

(g) The state board and regional boards shall make the pollution prevention plans available for public review, except to the extent that information is classified as confidential because it is a trade secret. Trade secret information shall be set forth in an appendix that is not available to the public.

(h) Any costs incurred by the state board or a regional board resulting from actions required by this section shall be paid for from revenue generated by the fees imposed by Section 13260.

(i) The state board or regional board may assess civil penalties pursuant to Section 13385 against a discharger for failure to complete a pollution prevention plan ordered by the state board or a regional board, or for failure to comply with a schedule of actions ordered by the state board or a regional board pursuant to this section.

(j) A POTW may assess civil penalties and civil administrative penalties pursuant to Sections 54740, 54740.5, and 54740.6 of the Government Code against an industrial discharger for failure to complete a pollution prevention plan when ordered by the POTW, for submitting a plan that does not comply with the act, or for failure to comply with a schedule of actions ordered by the POTW pursuant to this section, unless the regional board has assessed penalties for the same action.

(k) A discharger may change its pollution prevention plan, including withdrawing from a pollution prevention measure approved by the state board, a regional board, or a POTW, if the discharger determines that the measure will have a negative impact on product quality, the safe operation of the facility, or the environmental aspects of the facilities operation, and the discharger demonstrates to the board or the POTW an alternative measure that achieves that same pollution prevention objective.

(l) The state board shall adopt a format to be used by dischargers for completing the plan required by this section. The format shall address all of the factors the discharger is required to include in the plan. The board may include any other factors determined by the board to be necessary to carry out this section. The adoption of the format pursuant to this section is not subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 92, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2000. See the prevailing Section 13263.3 (added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 93), as amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 807, with same subject matter but with substantive differences.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that pollution prevention should be the first step in a hierarchy for reducing pollution and managing wastes, and to achieve environmental stewardship for society. The Legislature also finds and declares that pollution prevention is necessary to support the federal goal of zero discharge of pollutants into navigable waters.

(b) (1) For the purposes of this section, “pollution prevention” means any action that causes a net reduction in the use or generation of a hazardous substance or other pollutant that is discharged into water and includes any of the following:

(A) “Input change,” which means a change in raw materials or feedstocks used in a production process or operation so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(B) “Operational improvement,” which means improved site management so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(C) “Production process change,” which means a change in a process, method, or technique that is used to produce a product or a desired result, including the return of materials or their components for reuse within the existing processes or operations, so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(D) “Product reformulation,” which means changes in design, composition, or specifications of end products, including product substitution, so as to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the generation of problem pollutants discharged in wastewater.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “pollution prevention” does not include actions that merely shift a pollutant in wastewater from one environmental medium to another environmental medium, unless clear environmental benefits of such an approach are identified to the satisfaction of the state board, the regional board, or POTW.

(c) For the purposes of this section, “discharger” means any entity required to obtain a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.), or any entity subject to the pretreatment program as defined in Part 403 (commencing with Section 403.1) of Subchapter N of Chapter 1 of Part 403 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(d) (1) The state board, a regional board, or a POTW may require a discharger subject to its jurisdiction to complete and implement a pollution prevention plan if any of the following apply:

(A) A discharger is determined by the state board to be a chronic violator, and the state board, a regional board, or the POTW determines that pollution prevention could assist in achieving compliance.

(B) The discharger significantly contributes, or has the potential to significantly contribute, to the creation of a toxic hot spot as defined in Section 13391.5.

(C) The state board, a regional board, or a POTW determines pollution prevention is necessary to achieve a water quality objective.

(D) The discharger is subject to a cease and desist order issued pursuant to Section 13301 or a time schedule order issued pursuant to Section 13300 or 13308.

(2) A pollution prevention plan required of a discharger other than a POTW pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include all of the following:

(A) An analysis of one or more of the pollutants, as directed by the state board, a regional board, or a POTW, that the facility discharges into water or introduces into POTWs, a description of the sources of the pollutants, and a comprehensive review of the processes used by the discharger that result in the generation and discharge of the pollutants.

(B) An analysis of the potential for pollution prevention to reduce the generation of the pollutants, including the application of innovative and alternative technologies and any adverse environmental impacts resulting from the use of those methods.

(C) A detailed description of the tasks and time schedules required to investigate and implement various elements of pollution prevention techniques.

(D) A statement of the discharger’s pollution prevention goals and strategies, including priorities for short-term and long-term action.

(E) A description of the discharger’s existing pollution prevention methods.

(F) A statement that the discharger’s existing and planned pollution prevention strategies do not constitute cross media pollution transfers unless clear environmental benefits of such an approach are identified to the satisfaction of the state board, the regional board, or the POTW, and information that supports that statement.

(G) Proof of compliance with the Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Management Review Act of 1989 (Article 11.9 (commencing with Section 25244.12) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code) if the discharger is also subject to that act.

(H) An analysis, to the extent feasible, of the relative costs and benefits of the possible pollution prevention activities.

(I) A specification of, and rationale for, the technically feasible and economically practicable pollution prevention measures selected by the discharger for implementation.

(3) The state board or a regional board may require a POTW to complete and implement a pollution prevention plan that includes all of the following:

(A) An estimate of all of the sources of a pollutant contributing, or potentially contributing, to the loading of that pollutant in the treatment plant influent.

(B) An analysis of the methods that could be used to prevent the discharge of the pollutants into the POTW, including application of local limits to industrial or commercial dischargers regarding pollution prevention techniques, public education and outreach, or other innovative and alternative approaches to reduce discharges of the pollutant to the POTW. The analysis also shall identify sources, or potential sources, not within the ability or authority of the POTW to control, such as pollutants in the potable water supply, airborne pollutants, pharmaceuticals, or pesticides, and estimate the magnitude of those sources, to the extent feasible.

(C) An estimate of load reductions that may be attained through the methods identified in subparagraph (B).

(D) A plan for monitoring the results of the pollution prevention program.

(E) A description of the tasks, cost, and time required to investigate and implement various elements in the pollution prevention plan.

(F) A statement of the POTW’s pollution prevention goals and strategies, including priorities for short-term and long-term action, and a description of the POTW’s intended pollution prevention activities for the immediate future.

(G) A description of the POTW’s existing pollution prevention programs.

(H) An analysis, to the extent feasible, of any adverse environmental impacts, including cross media impacts or substitute chemicals, that may result from the implementation of the pollution prevention program.

(I) An analysis, to the extent feasible, of the costs and benefits that may be incurred to implement the pollution prevention program.

(e) The state board, a regional board, or a POTW may require a discharger subject to this section to comply with the pollution prevention plan developed by the discharger after providing an opportunity for comment at a public proceeding with regard to that plan.

(f) The state board, regional boards, and POTWs shall make the pollution prevention plans available for public review, except to the extent that information is classified as confidential because it is a trade secret. Trade secret information shall be set forth in an appendix that is not available to the public.

(g) The state board or regional board may assess civil liability pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 13385 against a discharger for failure to complete a pollution prevention plan required by the state board or a regional board, for submitting a plan that does not comply with the act, or for not implementing a plan, unless the POTW has assessed penalties for the same action.

(h) A POTW may assess civil penalties and civil administrative penalties pursuant to Sections 54740, 54740.5, and 54740.6 of the Government Code against a discharger for failure to complete a pollution prevention plan when required by the POTW, for submitting a plan that does not comply with the act, or for not implementing a plan, unless the state board or a regional board has assessed penalties for the same action.

(i) A discharger may change its pollution prevention plan, including withdrawing from a pollution prevention measure required by the state board, a regional board, or a POTW, if the discharger determines that the measure will have a negative impact on product quality, the safe operation of the facility, or the environmental aspects of the facility’s operation, or the discharger determines that the measure is economically impracticable or technologically infeasible. Where practicable and feasible, the discharger shall replace the withdrawn measure with a measure that will likely achieve similar pollution prevention objectives. A measure may be withdrawn pursuant to this subdivision only with the approval of the executive officer of the state board or the regional board, or the POTW.

(j) The state board shall adopt a sample format to be used by dischargers for completing the plan required by this section. The sample format shall address all of the factors the discharger is required to include in the plan. The board may include any other factors determined by the board to be necessary to carry out this section. The adoption of the sample format pursuant to this section is not subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(k) The state board, a regional board, or POTW may not include a pollution prevention plan in any waste discharge requirements or other permit issued by that agency.

(l) This section prevails over Section 13263.3, as added to the Water Code by Assembly Bill 1104 of the 1999–2000 Regular Session.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 93) by Stats. 2000, Ch. 807, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) When the regional board issues waste discharge requirements pursuant to Section 13263, or revises waste discharge requirements pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 25159.17 of the Health and Safety Code, for any injection well into which hazardous waste is discharged, the waste discharge requirements shall be based upon the information contained in the hydrogeological assessment report prepared pursuant to Section 25159.18 of the Health and Safety Code and shall include conditions in the waste discharge requirements to ensure that the waters of the state are not polluted or threatened with pollution.

(b) If the state board applies to the federal Environmental Protection Agency to administer the Underground Injection Control Program pursuant to Part 145 (commencing with Section 145.1) of Subchapter D of Chapter 1 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, that application shall not include a request to administer the Underground Injection Control Program for any oil, gas, or geothermal injection wells supervised or regulated by the Division of Oil and Gas pursuant to Section 3106 or 3714 of the Public Resources Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 19, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) A publicly owned treatment works (POTW) may require pollution prevention plans as described in Section 13263.3 as part of the pretreatment requirements applicable to significant industrial users.

(b) The state board or a regional board shall prescribe effluent limitations as part of the waste discharge requirements of a POTW for all substances that the most recent toxic chemical release data reported to the state emergency response commission pursuant to Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11023) indicate are discharged into the POTW and that the state board or a regional board has determined has the reasonable potential to impair water quality.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 92, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2000. See the prevailing Section 13263.6 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 93, with same subject matter, but with substantive differences.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The regional board shall prescribe effluent limitations as part of the waste discharge requirements of a POTW for all substances that the most recent toxic chemical release data reported to the state emergency response commission pursuant to Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11023) indicate as discharged into the POTW, for which the state board or the regional board has established numeric water quality objectives, and has determined that the discharge is or may be discharged at a level which will cause, have the reasonable potential to cause, or contribute to, an excursion above any numeric water quality objective.

(b) This section prevails over Section 13263.6, as added to the Water Code by Assembly Bill 1104 of the 1999–2000 Regular Session.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 93, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2000.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) Compliance with effluent limitations and any other permit or waste discharge requirements, as appropriate, for the release or discharge of recycled water determined to be suitable for direct potable reuse or surface water augmentation, as defined in Section 13561, into a conveyance facility may be determined at the point where the recycled water enters the conveyance facility but prior to commingling with any raw water.

(b) Before the discharge may be allowed, consent must be obtained from the owner or operator of the conveyance facility that directly receives the recycled water.

(c) This section does not limit or restrict the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board.

(d) For purposes of this section, “raw water” means surface water or groundwater in its naturally occurring state prior to treatment.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2013, Ch. 635, Sec. 4. (AB 803) Effective January 1, 2014.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) No person shall initiate any new discharge of waste or make any material changes in any discharge, or initiate a discharge to, make any material changes in a discharge to, or construct, an injection well, prior to the filing of the report required by Section 13260 and no person shall take any of these actions after filing the report but before whichever of the following occurs first:

(1) The issuance of waste discharge requirements pursuant to Section 13263.

(2) The expiration of 140 days after compliance with Section 13260 if the waste to be discharged does not create or threaten to create a condition of pollution or nuisance and any of the following applies:

(A) The project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).

(B) The regional board is the lead agency for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, a negative declaration is required, and at least 105 days have expired since the regional board assumed lead agency responsibility.

(C) The regional board is the lead agency for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, and environmental impact report or written documentation prepared to meet the requirements of Section 21080.5 of the Public Resources Code is required, and at least one year has expired since the regional board assumed lead agency responsibility.

(D) The regional board is a responsible agency for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act, and at least 90 days have expired since certification or approval of environmental documentation by the lead agency.

(3) The issuance of a waiver pursuant to Section 13269.

(b) The Attorney General, at the request of a regional board, shall petition the superior court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction, or combination thereof, as may be appropriate, prohibiting any person who is violating or threatening to violate this section from doing any of the following, whichever is applicable:

(1) Discharging the waste or fluid.

(2) Making any material change in the discharge.

(3) Constructing the injection well.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys collected under this division for a violation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall be deposited in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund and separately accounted for in that fund.

(2) The funds described in paragraph (1) shall be expended by the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist regional boards, and other public agencies with authority to clean up waste or abate the effects of the waste, in cleaning up or abating the effects of the waste on waters of the state or for the purposes authorized in Section 13443.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 683, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) Any person discharging waste in violation of Section 13264, after such violation has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b). Each day of such discharge shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(c) Any person discharging hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, in violation of Section 13264 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (d). That liability shall not be imposed if the discharger is not negligent and immediately files a report of the discharge with the board, or if the regional board determines that the violation of Section 13264 was insubstantial.

This subdivision shall not be applicable to any waste discharge which is subject to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370).

(d) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 1541, Sec. 2.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: Pursuant to such regulations as the regional board may prescribe, each city, county, or city and county shall notify the regional board of the filing of a tentative subdivision map, or of any application for a building permit which may involve the discharge of waste, other than discharges into a community sewer system and discharges from dwellings involving five-family units or less.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1969, Ch. 482.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) A regional board, in establishing or reviewing any water quality control plan or waste discharge requirements, or in connection with any action relating to any plan or requirement authorized by this division, may investigate the quality of any waters of the state within its region.

(b) (1) In conducting an investigation specified in subdivision (a), the regional board may require that any person who has discharged, discharges, or is suspected of having discharged or discharging, or who proposes to discharge waste within its region, or any citizen or domiciliary, or political agency or entity of this state who has discharged, discharges, or is suspected of having discharged or discharging, or who proposes to discharge, waste outside of its region that could affect the quality of waters within its region shall furnish, under penalty of perjury, technical or monitoring program reports which the regional board requires. The burden, including costs, of these reports shall bear a reasonable relationship to the need for the report and the benefits to be obtained from the reports. In requiring those reports, the regional board shall provide the person with a written explanation with regard to the need for the reports, and shall identify the evidence that supports requiring that person to provide the reports.

(2) When requested by the person furnishing a report, the portions of a report that might disclose trade secrets or secret processes may not be made available for inspection by the public but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making studies. However, these portions of a report shall be available for use by the state or any state agency in judicial review or enforcement proceedings involving the person furnishing the report.

(c) In conducting an investigation pursuant to subdivision (a), the regional board may inspect the facilities of any person to ascertain whether the purposes of this division are being met and waste discharge requirements are being complied with. The inspection shall be made with the consent of the owner or possessor of the facilities or, if the consent is withheld, with a warrant duly issued pursuant to the procedure set forth in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure. However, in the event of an emergency affecting the public health or safety, an inspection may be performed without consent or the issuance of a warrant.

(d) The regional board may participate in an inspection of an unlicensed cannabis cultivation site conducted pursuant to a warrant duly issued pursuant to the Penal Code when requested by the party seeking that warrant, and when there is probable cause that the unlicensed cannabis cultivation and its associated activities may involve the discharge of waste in violation of this division or of any principles and guidelines established pursuant to Section 13149.

(e) The state board or a regional board may require any person, including a person subject to a waste discharge requirement under Section 13263, who is discharging, or who proposes to discharge, wastes or fluid into an injection well, to furnish the state board or regional board with a complete report on the condition and operation of the facility or injection well, or any other information that may be reasonably required to determine whether the injection well could affect the quality of the waters of the state.

(f) As used in this section, “evidence” means any relevant evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs, regardless of the existence of any common law or statutory rule that might make improper the admission of the evidence over objection in a civil action.

(g) The state board may carry out the authority granted to a regional board pursuant to this section if, after consulting with the regional board, the state board determines that it will not duplicate the efforts of the regional board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 158, Sec. 5. (SB 756) Effective January 1, 2024.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) In conducting an investigation pursuant to Section 13267 that includes collection of information about discharge of wastewater produced from an oil or gas field, a regional board or the state board may require that the applicable person or entity shall furnish to that board information relating to all chemicals in the discharged wastewater pursuant to the procedures set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 13267.

(b) If a person or entity subject to the disclosure requirement in subdivision (a) is unable to obtain information about a chemical from the chemical’s supplier for any reason, including, but not limited to, assertion by the supplier of trade secret protections, the regional board or state board may require that the supplier shall furnish that information to that board pursuant to the procedures set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 13267.

(c) The trade secret protections of subdivision (b) of Section 13267 shall apply to information disclosed pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) when requested by a person or entity or a supplier, as applicable.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision (c), the information collected by a regional board or the state board pursuant to this section shall be made available to the public on the internet website of the regional board or the state board.

(e) In collecting information described in this section, a regional board or the state board may consult with the Geologic Energy Management Division regarding information collected by the division, pursuant to other disclosure requirements, that may be useful to the investigation.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 771, Sec. 24. (AB 1057) Effective January 1, 2020.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) (1) Any person failing or refusing to furnish technical or monitoring program reports as required by subdivision (b) of Section 13267, failing or refusing to furnish information as required by subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 13267.5, or failing or refusing to furnish a statement of compliance as required by subdivision (b) of Section 13399.2, or falsifying any information provided therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b).

(2) Any person who knowingly commits any violation described in paragraph (1) is subject to criminal penalties pursuant to subdivision (e).

(b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(c) Any person discharging hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, who knowingly fails or refuses to furnish technical or monitoring program reports as required by subdivision (b) of Section 13267, or who knowingly falsifies any information provided in those technical or monitoring program reports, is guilty of a misdemeanor, may be civilly liable in accordance with subdivision (d), and is subject to criminal penalties pursuant to subdivision (e).

(d) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Article 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and Article 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

(e) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), any person who knowingly commits any of the violations set forth in subdivision (a) or (c) shall be punished by a fine that does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

(2) Any person who knowingly commits any of the violations set forth in subdivision (a) or (c) after a prior conviction for a violation set forth in subdivision (a) or (c) shall be punished by a fine that does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of the violation.

(f) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fines collected pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be deposited in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund and separately accounted for in that fund.

(2) The funds described in paragraph (1) shall be expended by the state board, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist regional boards, and other public agencies with authority to clean up waste, or abate the effects of the waste, in cleaning up or abating the effects of the waste on waters of the state or for the purposes authorized in Section 13443.

(g) The state board may carry out the authority granted to a regional board pursuant to this section if, after consulting with the regional board, the state board determines that it will not duplicate the efforts of the regional board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 758, Sec. 2. (AB 1328) Effective January 1, 2018.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) (1) On and after January 1, 2000, the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 13260, subdivision (a) of Section 13263, or subdivision (a) of Section 13264 may be waived by the state board or a regional board as to a specific discharge or type of discharge if the state board or a regional board determines, after any necessary state board or regional board meeting, that the waiver is consistent with any applicable state or regional water quality control plan and is in the public interest. The state board or a regional board shall give notice of any necessary meeting by publication pursuant to Section 11125 of the Government Code.

(2) A waiver may not exceed five years in duration, but may be renewed by the state board or a regional board. The waiver shall be conditional and may be terminated at any time by the state board or a regional board. The conditions of the waiver shall include, but need not be limited to, the performance of individual, group, or watershed-based monitoring, except as provided in paragraph (3). Monitoring requirements shall be designed to support the development and implementation of the waiver program, including, but not limited to, verifying the adequacy and effectiveness of the waiver’s conditions. In establishing monitoring requirements, the regional board may consider the volume, duration, frequency, and constituents of the discharge; the extent and type of existing monitoring activities, including, but not limited to, existing watershed-based, compliance, and effectiveness monitoring efforts; the size of the project area; and other relevant factors. Monitoring results shall be made available to the public.

(3) The state board or a regional board may waive the monitoring requirements described in this subdivision for discharges that it determines do not pose a significant threat to water quality.

(4) (A) The state board or a regional board may include as a condition of a waiver the payment of an annual fee established by the state board in accordance with subdivision (f) of Section 13260.

(B) Funds generated by the payment of the fee shall be deposited in the Waste Discharge Permit Fund for expenditure, upon appropriation by the Legislature, by the state board or appropriate regional board for the purpose of carrying out activities limited to those necessary to establish and implement the waiver program pursuant to this section. The total amount of annual fees collected pursuant to this section shall not exceed the costs of those activities necessary to establish and implement waivers of waste discharge requirements pursuant to this section.

(C) In establishing the amount of a fee that may be imposed on irrigated agriculture operations pursuant to this section, the state board shall consider relevant factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) The size of the operations.

(ii) Any compliance costs borne by the operations pursuant to state and federal water quality regulations.

(iii) Any costs associated with water quality monitoring performed or funded by the operations.

(iv) Participation in a watershed management program approved by the applicable regional board.

(D) In establishing the amount of a fee that may be imposed on silviculture operations pursuant to this section, the state board shall consider relevant factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) The size of the operations.

(ii) Any compliance costs borne by the operations pursuant to state and federal water quality regulations.

(iii) Any costs associated with water quality monitoring performed or funded by the operations.

(iv) The average annual number of timber harvest plans proposed by the operations.

(5) The state board or a regional board shall give notice of the adoption of a waiver by publication within the affected county or counties as set forth in Section 6061 of the Government Code.

(b) (1) A waiver in effect on January 1, 2000, shall remain valid until January 1, 2003, unless the regional board terminates that waiver prior to that date. All waivers that were valid on January 1, 2000, and granted an extension until January 1, 2003, and not otherwise terminated, may be renewed by a regional board in five-year increments.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a waiver for an onsite sewage treatment system that is in effect on January 1, 2002, shall remain valid until June 30, 2004, unless the regional board terminates the waiver prior to that date. Any waiver for onsite sewage treatment systems adopted or renewed after June 30, 2004, shall be consistent with the applicable regulations or standards for onsite sewage treatment systems adopted or retained in accordance with Section 13291.

(c) Upon notification of the appropriate regional board of the discharge or proposed discharge, except as provided in subdivision (d), the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 13260, subdivision (a) of Section 13263, and subdivision (a) of Section 13264 do not apply to a discharge resulting from any of the following emergency activities:

(1) Immediate emergency work necessary to protect life or property or immediate emergency repairs to public service facilities necessary to maintain service as a result of a disaster in a disaster-stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) Emergency projects undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency to maintain, repair, or restore an existing highway, as defined in Section 360 of the Vehicle Code, except for a highway designated as an official state scenic highway pursuant to Section 262 of the Streets and Highways Code, within the existing right-of-way of the highway, damaged as a result of fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide within one year of the damage. This paragraph does not exempt from this section any project undertaken, carried out, or approved by a public agency to expand or widen a highway damaged by fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide.

(d) Subdivision (c) is not a limitation of the authority of a regional board under subdivision (a) to determine that any provision of this division shall not be waived or to establish conditions of a waiver. Subdivision (c) shall not apply to the extent that it is inconsistent with any waiver or other order or prohibition issued under this division.

(e) The regional boards and the state board shall require compliance with the conditions pursuant to which waivers are granted under this section.

(f) Prior to renewing any waiver for a specific type of discharge established under this section, the state board or a regional board shall review the terms of the waiver policy at a public hearing. At the hearing, the state board or a regional board shall determine whether the discharge for which the waiver policy was established should be subject to general or individual waste discharge requirements.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 183, Sec. 360. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: Where a public agency as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 13400 leases land for waste disposal purposes to any other public agency, including the State of California, or to any public utility regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, the provisions of Sections 13260, 13263, and 13264 shall not require the lessor public agency to file any waste discharge report for the subject waste disposal, and the regional board and the state board shall not prescribe waste discharge requirements for the lessor public agency as to such land provided that the lease from the lessor public agency shall not contain restrictions which would unreasonably limit the ability of the lessee to comply with waste discharge requirements appurtenant to the leased property.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1974, Ch. 207.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) (1) Except as provided by subdivision (b), any person who, without regard to intent or negligence, causes or permits any hazardous substance or sewage to be discharged in or on any waters of the state, or discharged or deposited where it is, or probably will be, discharged in or on any waters of the state, shall, as soon as (A) that person has knowledge of the discharge, (B) notification is possible, and (C) notification can be provided without substantially impeding cleanup or other emergency measures, immediately notify the Office of Emergency Services of the discharge in accordance with the spill reporting provision of the state toxic disaster contingency plan adopted pursuant to Article 3.7 (commencing with Section 8574.16) of Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(2) The Office of Emergency Services shall immediately notify the appropriate regional board, the local health officer, and the director of environmental health of the discharge. The regional board shall notify the state board as appropriate.

(3) Upon receiving notification of a discharge pursuant to this section, the local health officer and the director of environmental health shall immediately determine whether notification of the public is required to safeguard public health and safety. If so, the local health officer and the director of environmental health shall immediately notify the public of the discharge by posting notices or other appropriate means. The notification shall describe measures to be taken by the public to protect the public health.

(b) The notification required by this section shall not apply to a discharge in compliance with waste discharge requirements or other provisions of this division.

(c) Any person who fails to provide the notice required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or both. Except where a discharge to the waters of this state would have occurred but for cleanup or emergency response by a public agency, this subdivision shall not apply to any discharge to land which does not result in a discharge to the waters of this state.

(d) Notification received pursuant to this section or information obtained by use of that notification shall not be used against any person providing the notification in any criminal case, except in a prosecution for perjury or giving a false statement.

(e) For substances listed as hazardous wastes or hazardous material pursuant to Section 25140 of the Health and Safety Code, the state board, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, shall by regulation establish reportable quantities for purposes of this section. The regulations shall be based on what quantities should be reported because they may pose a risk to public health or the environment if discharged to groundwater or surface water. Regulations need not set reportable quantities on all listed substances at the same time. Regulations establishing reportable quantities shall not supersede waste discharge requirements or water quality objectives adopted pursuant to this division, and shall not supersede or affect in any way the list, criteria, and guidelines for the identification of hazardous wastes and extremely hazardous wastes adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code. The regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency for reportable quantities of hazardous substances for purposes of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq.) shall be in effect for purposes of the enforcement of this section until the time that the regulations required by this subdivision are adopted.

(f) (1) The state board shall adopt regulations establishing reportable quantities of sewage for purposes of this section. The regulations shall be based on the quantities that should be reported because they may pose a risk to public health or the environment if discharged to groundwater or surface water. Regulations establishing reportable quantities shall not supersede waste discharge requirements or water quality objectives adopted pursuant to this division. For purposes of this section, “sewage” means the effluent of a municipal wastewater treatment plant or a private utility wastewater treatment plant, as those terms are defined in Section 13625, except that sewage does not include recycled water, as defined in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 13529.2.

(2) A collection system owner or operator, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 13193, in addition to the reporting requirements set forth in this section, shall submit a report pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13193.

(g) Except as otherwise provided in this section and Section 8589.7 of the Government Code, a notification made pursuant to this section shall satisfy any immediate notification requirement contained in any permit issued by a permitting agency. When notifying the Office of Emergency Services, the person shall include all of the notification information required in the permit.

(h) For the purposes of this section, the reportable quantity for perchlorate shall be 10 pounds or more by discharge to the receiving waters, unless a more restrictive reporting standard for a particular body of water is adopted pursuant to subdivision (e).

(i) Notification under this section does not nullify a person’s responsibility to notify the local health officer or the director of environmental health pursuant to Section 5411.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 532. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), any person who, without regard to intent or negligence, causes or permits any oil or petroleum product to be discharged in or on any waters of the state, or discharged or deposited where it is, or probably will be, discharged in or on any waters of the state, shall, as soon as (1) that person has knowledge of the discharge, (2) notification is possible, and (3) notification can be provided without substantially impeding cleanup or other emergency measures, immediately notify the Office of Emergency Services of the discharge in accordance with the spill reporting provision of the California oil spill contingency plan adopted pursuant to Article 3.5 (commencing with Section 8574.1) of Chapter 7 of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(b) The notification required by this section shall not apply to a discharge in compliance with waste discharge requirements or other provisions of this division.

(c) Any person who fails to provide the notice required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per day for each day of failure to notify, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. Except where a discharge to the waters of this state would have occurred but for cleanup or emergency response by a public agency, this subdivision shall not apply to any discharge to land that does not result in a discharge to the waters of this state. This subdivision shall not apply to any person who is fined by the federal government for a failure to report a discharge of oil.

(d) Notification received pursuant to this section or information obtained by use of that notification shall not be used against any person providing the notification in any criminal case, except in a prosecution for perjury or giving a false statement.

(e) Immediate notification to the appropriate regional board of the discharge, in accordance with reporting requirements set under Section 13267 or 13383, shall constitute compliance with the requirements of subdivision (a).

(f) The reportable quantity for oil or petroleum products shall be one barrel (42 gallons) or more, by direct discharge to the receiving waters, unless a more restrictive reporting standard for a particular body of water is adopted.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 35, Sec. 184. (SB 861) Effective June 20, 2014.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: Each regional board shall publish and distribute on a quarterly basis to all public water system operators within the region of the regional board, a list of discharges of MTBE that occurred during the quarter and a list of locations where MTBE was detected in the groundwater within the region of the regional board.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 815, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1998.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) The state board shall, on or before January 1, 1986, rank all solid waste disposal sites, as defined in paragraph (5) of subdivision (i) of Section 41805.5 of the Health and Safety Code, based upon the threat they may pose to water quality. On or before July 1, 1987, the operators of the first 150 solid waste disposal sites ranked on the list shall submit a solid waste water quality assessment test to the appropriate regional board for its examination pursuant to subdivision (d). On or before July 1 of each succeeding year, the operators of the next 150 solid waste disposal sites ranked on the list shall submit a solid waste water quality assessment test to the appropriate regional board for its examination pursuant to subdivision (d).

(b) Before a solid waste water quality assessment test report may be submitted to the regional board, a professional geologist, registered pursuant to Section 7850 of the Business and Professions Code, a certified engineering geologist, certified pursuant to Section 7842 of the Business and Professions Code, or a civil engineer registered pursuant to Section 6762 of the Business and Professions Code, who has at least five years’ experience in groundwater hydrology, shall certify that the report contains all of the following information and any other information which the state board may, by regulation, require:

(1) An analysis of the surface and groundwater on, under, and within one mile of the solid waste disposal site to provide a reliable indication whether there is any leakage of hazardous waste.

(2) A chemical characterization of the soil-pore liquid in those areas which are likely to be affected if the solid waste disposal site is leaking, as compared to geologically similar areas near the solid waste disposal site which have not been affected by leakage or waste discharge.

(c) If the regional board determines that the information specified in paragraph (1) or (2) is not needed because other information demonstrates that hazardous wastes are migrating into the water, the regional board may waive the requirement to submit this information specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b). The regional board shall also notify the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and shall take appropriate remedial action pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13300).

(d) The regional board shall examine the report submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) and determine whether the number, location, and design of the wells and the soil testing could detect any leachate buildup, leachate migration, or hazardous waste migration. If the regional board determines that the monitoring program could detect the leachate and hazardous waste, the regional board shall take the action specified in subdivision (e). If the regional board determines that the monitoring program was inadequate, the regional board shall require the solid waste disposal site to correct the monitoring program and resubmit the solid waste assessment test based upon the results from the corrected monitoring program.

(e) The regional board shall examine the approved solid waste assessment test report and determine whether any hazardous waste migrated into the water. If the regional board determines that hazardous waste has migrated into the water, it shall notify the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the California Integrated Waste Management Board and shall take appropriate remedial action pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 13300).

(f) When a regional board revises the waste discharge requirements for a solid waste disposal site, the regional board shall consider the information provided in the solid waste assessment test report and any other relevant site-specific engineering data provided by the site operator for that solid waste disposal site as part of a report of waste discharge.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 865, Sec. 38. Effective January 1, 2005.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), an operator of a solid waste disposal site may submit a solid waste assessment questionnaire to the appropriate regional board at least 24 months prior to the site’s solid waste water quality assessment test due date as established pursuant to Section 13273. The regional board shall require the operator to submit any additional information, as needed, or require onsite verification of the solid waste assessment questionnaire data in order to render a decision pursuant to subdivision (c).

(b) Any solid waste disposal site which is larger than 50,000 cubic yards or is known or suspected to contain hazardous substances, other than household hazardous wastes, shall be prohibited from submitting a solid waste assessment questionnaire under this section.

(c) The regional board shall complete a thorough analysis of each solid waste assessment questionnaire submitted pursuant to this section by a date 18 months prior to the solid waste assessment test due date. Based upon this analysis, the regional board shall determine whether or not the site has discharged hazardous substances which will impact the beneficial uses of water. If the regional board determines that the site has not so discharged hazardous substances, the regional board shall notify the operator that the operator is not required to prepare a solid waste water quality assessment test pursuant to Section 13273.

(d) If the regional board does not make the determination specified in subdivision (c), the operator shall submit all, or a portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test. The regional board shall notify the operator of this determination and indicate if all, or what portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test shall be required. The operator shall submit the solid waste water quality assessment test, or a portion thereof, by the date established pursuant to Section 13273.

(e) The state board shall develop a solid waste assessment questionnaire and guidelines for submittal no later than three months after the effective date of this statute adding this section. The questionnaire shall contain, but not be limited to, a characterization of the wastes, size of the site, age of the site, and other appropriate factors.

(f) Those operators of solid waste disposal sites listed by the state board pursuant to Section 13273 in Rank 3 and seeking an exemption under this section shall submit their solid waste assessment questionnaire no later than July 1, 1988. If the regional board does not make the determination specified in subdivision (c), the regional board shall require the operator to submit all, or a portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test by July 1, 1990.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 932, Sec. 2. Effective September 22, 1987.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 13273.1, a regional board may reevaluate the status of any solid waste disposal site ranked pursuant to Section 13273, including those sites exempted pursuant to Section 13273.1, and may require the operator to submit or revise a solid waste water quality assessment test after July 1, 1989. The regional board shall give written notification to the operator that a solid waste assessment test is required and the due date. This section shall not require submittal of a solid waste water quality assessment test by a date earlier than established in accordance with Section 13273.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 932, Sec. 3. Effective September 22, 1987.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text: As used in Sections 13273, 13273.1, and 13273.2, “operator” means a person who operates or manages, or who has operated or managed, the solid waste disposal site. If the operator of the solid waste disposal site no longer exists, or is unable, as determined by the regional board, to comply with the requirements of Section 13273, 13273.1, or 13273.2, “operator” means any person who owns or who has owned the solid waste disposal site.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 932, Sec. 4. Effective September 22, 1987.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements


text:
Notwithstanding Section 13273, a small city which operates a Class III solid waste disposal site is not required to submit a solid waste water quality assessment test report pursuant to Section 13273 if the city has a population of less than 20,000 persons, the solid waste disposal site receives less than 20,000 tons of waste per year, the water table of the highest aquifer under the disposal site is 250 or more feet below the base of the disposal site and the water in the highest aquifer is not potable, and the site receives less than an average of 12 inches of rainfall per year.

This section applies only if the disposal site is operational and has been granted all required permits as of January 1, 1991, if the site is located in Kings County, and if the city has completed an initial solid waste water quality assessment test and a solid waste air quality assessment test which establish that no significant air or water contamination has occurred, and, in that event, the city shall be exempted from conducting further assessment tests for seven years, or any longer time specified by the regional board, after the date of the initial assessment tests.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1361, Sec. 3.)

article: 4. Waste Discharge Requirements