Violations
|
Violation ID |
Occurred Date |
Violation Type |
(-) Violation Description |
Corrective Action |
Status |
Classification |
Source |
1123165 |
10/18/2023 |
Surface Water |
Per Section 5.1.21 of the WDR, there shall be no chronic toxicity in ambient waters as a result of wastes discharged. The Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic toxicity test initiated for receiving water station RSW-002 on October 11 failed the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) with a 30.3% reproduction effect and 60.0% survival effect in undiluted receiving water. Dr. Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Watershed Regulatory Section, was immediately notified via voicemail at 4:44 p.m. on October 18, followed by written notification on October 23. High total chlorine residual from Long Beach WRP was initially reported as a potential source of the receiving water toxicity. Upon further review of the Long Beach WRP final effluent chlorine residual monitoring data from October 13, the source of the receiving water toxicity is unknown . Biological observations were conducted immediately, noting the presence of fish and birds, with no negative impacts observed. Two subsequent chronic toxicity compliance samples were taken in October and passed the TST (see details in the Receiving Water section below). Effluent toxicity samples for the month of October passed the TST with a -1.3% reproduction effect and -5.3% survival effect. |
Per Section 5.1.21 of the WDR, there shall be no chronic toxicity in ambient waters as a result of wastes discharged. The Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic toxicity test initiated for receiving water station RSW-002 on October 11 failed the Test of Significant Toxicity (TST) with a 30.3% reproduction effect and 60.0% survival effect in undiluted receiving water. Dr. Jeong-Hee Lim, Chief of the Watershed Regulatory Section, was immediately notified via voicemail at 4:44 p.m. on October 18, followed by written notification on October 23. High total chlorine residual from Long Beach WRP was initially reported as a potential source of the receiving water toxicity. Upon further review of the Long Beach WRP final effluent chlorine residual monitoring data from October 13, the source of the receiving water toxicity is unknown . Biological observations were conducted immediately, noting the presence of fish and birds, with no negative impacts observed. Two subsequent chronic toxicity compliance samples were taken in October and passed the TST (see details in the Receiving Water section below). Effluent toxicity samples for the month of October passed the TST with a -1.3% reproduction effect and -5.3% survival effect. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1120978 |
07/31/2023 |
DMON |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In July, a chloride sample was not taken at RSW-002 due to a sample scheduling error. The monthly effluent chloride sample in July was 155 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. A make-up sample was taken in September and the result will be included in that month¿s report. |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In July, a chloride sample was not taken at RSW-002 due to a sample scheduling error. The monthly effluent chloride sample in July was 155 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. A make-up sample was taken in September and the result will be included in that month¿s report. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1116655 |
02/19/2023 |
DMON |
Per Section 4.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. Results from effluent samples collected on February 19 and 20 were invalid because laboratory personnel did not analyze the total coliform samples within the specified time frame required by the method. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff reviewed the standard operating procedure and were reminded of the time requirement for total coliform analysis. |
Per Section 4.1 of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. Results from effluent samples collected on February 19 and 20 were invalid because laboratory personnel did not analyze the total coliform samples within the specified time frame required by the method. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff reviewed the standard operating procedure and were reminded of the time requirement for total coliform analysis. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1116735 |
02/19/2023 |
DMON |
Total Coliform: Per the recycled water monitoring requirements of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. Results from effluent samples collected on February 19 and 20 were invalid because laboratory personnel did not analyze the samples within the specified time frame required by the method. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff reviewed the standard operating procedure and were reminded of the time requirement for total coliform analysis.
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Total Coliform: Per the recycled water monitoring requirements of the MRP, effluent samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. Results from effluent samples collected on February 19 and 20 were invalid because laboratory personnel did not analyze the samples within the specified time frame required by the method. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff reviewed the standard operating procedure and were reminded of the time requirement for total coliform analysis.
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Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1116734 |
01/14/2023 |
OEV |
Turbidity 1-Hour Average (Mean) limit is 5 NTU and reported value was 10 NTU at EFF001 WRR. |
Turbidity
Per Provision B.2 of the WRR, treated wastewater should not exceed an average operating turbidity of 2 turbidity units or 5 turbidity units more than 5 percent of the time within a 24-hour period.
On January 14, at 2:04 p.m., the Long Beach WRP experienced remarkably high storm flows with influent flows exceeding 30 million gallons per day (MGD). Due to these elevated flows, secondary effluent turbidity began to increase and resulted in increased loading on the filters. Around 5:00 p.m., the plant began to experience elevated final effluent turbidity with levels reaching 5 NTU at 5:12 p.m. and 10 NTU at 5:27 p.m. The high flow to the filter subsequently caused the backwash recovery wet-well to overflow at 10:16 p.m., which flooded the filter gallery which houses control panel 12 (CP-12) and caused a loss of signal from the turbidity meters and flow meters.
Between 5:12 pm and 10:15 pm (when the turbidity meter lost signal) on January 14, high flows caused the effluent turbidity limits to be exceeded. Per the available metered data, final effluent turbidity exceeded 5 NTU units more than 5 percent of the time (72 minutes). At 3:00 a.m., the final effluent turbidity meter was manually read with a result of 4 NTU recorded.
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Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1115364 |
01/14/2023 |
OEV |
Turbidity Instantaneous Maximum limit is 10 NTU and reported value was 10 NTU at EFF-001A. |
Per section 4.1.1e of the WDR, the treated wastewater should not exceed an average of 2 Nephelometric turbidity units (NTUS) within a 24-hour period, (b) 5 NTU more than 5 percent of the time (72 minutes) within a 24-hour period, and (c) 10 NTU at any time.
At 2:04 p.m. on January 14, the Long Beach WRP experienced remarkably high storm flows with influent flows exceeding 30 million gallons per day (MGD). Due to these elevated flows, secondary effluent turbidity began to increase and resulted in increased loading on the filters. Around 5:00 p.m., the plant began to experience elevated final effluent turbidity with levels reaching 5 NTU at 5:12 p.m. and 10 NTU at 5:27 p.m. At approximately 7:41 p.m., the plant coincidentally experienced an unexpected power dip that caused the plants influent pumps to shut down. The influent pumps were restarted and returned to service at 7:51 p.m., but the elevated flows raised the influent wet well levels and caused debris accumulation in the filters.
Between 5:12 pm and 10:15 pm on January 14, high flows caused the effluent turbidity limits to be exceeded. Per the available metered data, final effluent turbidity on January 14 between 5:12 pm and 10:15 pm (when the turbidity meter lost signal) exceeded 5 NTU units more than 5 percent of the time (72 minutes). In addition, per the available metered data, final effluent turbidity exceeded 10 NTU on January 14 sporadically from approximately 5:27 pm to 7:22 pm.
In accordance with Section 6.1.2.y. and Attachment D Section 5.5.1. of the permit, respectively, upon having knowledge of the associated turbidity exceedance, the Sanitation Districts notified the Regional Board (Ms. Jeong-Hee Lim) via voice message on January 18 at 4:06 p.m. Written notification to the Regional Board was given on January 20, 2023. More detailed information on this exceedance can be found in the January 20, 2023 letter.
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Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1108188 |
06/30/2022 |
DMON |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In June, chloride samples were not taken at RSW-002 due to a scheduling error. This scheduling error was associated with the new monitoring and reporting requirements of Order R4-2022-0032, which became effective in April 2022. The monthly effluent chloride sample in June was 156 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In June, chloride samples were not taken at RSW-002 due to a scheduling error. This scheduling error was associated with the new monitoring and reporting requirements of Order R4-2022-0032, which became effective in April 2022. The monthly effluent chloride sample in June was 156 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1107036 |
05/31/2022 |
DMON |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In May, chloride samples were not taken at RSW-002 due to a scheduling error. This scheduling error was associated with the new monitoring and reporting requirements of Order R4-2022-0032, which became effective in April 2022. The monthly effluent chloride sample in May was 181 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. |
Per Section 8.1.1 of the MRP, chloride shall be monitored monthly at RSW-002. In May, chloride samples were not taken at RSW-002 due to a scheduling error. This scheduling error was associated with the new monitoring and reporting requirements of Order R4-2022-0032, which became effective in April 2022. The monthly effluent chloride sample in May was 181 mg/L, which is below the monthly average effluent limit and Basin Plan recommended objective of 230 mg/L. Laboratory staff have reviewed their sample collection schedules and have updated those schedules accordingly so that this sampling event will not be missed in the future. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1105415 |
03/01/2022 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.I and VIII.A.1 of the MRP, effluent and receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for MBAS. Analytical results of samples collected from the effluent on March 1 and receiving water stations RSW-001, RSW-002, RSW-004, RSW-005 and RSW-006 on March 2 are invalid due to data integrity issues. Make-up samples will be collected as soon as possible. Corrective actions to prevent this from recurring include: 1) purchase and implementation of a spectrophotometer that has a reading log and can directly and electronically transfer results to the data management system to assure analytical results are accurately recorded, 2) routine review of analysts¿ adherence to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and 3) additional staff assigned to oversee laboratory activities. |
Per Section IV.A.I and VIII.A.1 of the MRP, effluent and receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for MBAS. Analytical results of samples collected from the effluent on March 1 and receiving water stations RSW-001, RSW-002, RSW-004, RSW-005 and RSW-006 on March 2 are invalid due to data integrity issues. Make-up samples will be collected as soon as possible. Corrective actions to prevent this from recurring include: 1) purchase and implementation of a spectrophotometer that has a reading log and can directly and electronically transfer results to the data management system to assure analytical results are accurately recorded, 2) routine review of analysts¿ adherence to laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and 3) additional staff assigned to oversee laboratory activities. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1103052 |
01/31/2022 |
CAT1 |
Ammonia, Total (as N) Monthly Average (Mean) limit is 4.1 mg/L and reported value was 4.79 mg/L at EFF-001A. |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the WDR, the monthly average limit for ammonia nitrogen shall not exceed 4.1 mg/L. On January 4, the effluent ammonia nitrogen result was 7.08 mg/L. Per Section VII.C of the MRP if the analytical result of any single sample monitored monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, exceeds the average monthly effluent limitation (AMEL), the Permittee may collect up to four additional samples within the same calendar month. Additional monitoring was performed on January 11, 18, 25, and 28 with results of 3.45, 5.99, 4.78 and 2.67 mg/L, respectively. The monthly average effluent ammonia nitrogen was 4.79 mg/L which was above the AMEL.
During December 29 to 31, the Los Angeles Basin experienced a significant amount of rainfall. The mean Long Beach WRP influent flow is approximately 16 million gallons per day (MGD). On December 30, influent flow to the LB WRP significantly increased by approximately 25% (20 MGD). The heavy rains and higher than usual influent flows resulted in a loss of micro-organisms used in the nitrification process. This resulted in higher than usual levels of ammonia in the effluent. Operational and process changes were made during this month to minimize the ammonia concentration in the effluent while re-introducing additional micro-organisms to aid with the nitrification process. After several changes and adjustments to the process, the ammonia effluent level decreased and continued to trend down toward normal levels.
|
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1099034 |
10/18/2021 |
DMON |
Per SectionVIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for MBAS. The samples collected from RSW-001, RSW-002, RSW-004, RSW-005 and RSW-006 on October 18 were invalid due to the use of an expired MBAS stock check standard in analyses. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. To prevent a re-occurrence of this issue, staff was reminded of the standard validation policy to perform monthly checks of all standards used in analyses to ensure they are not expired. Staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation to minimize human error.
Per Section IV.A.1 and VIII.A.1 of the MRP, effluent and receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for oil and grease. The samples collected from EFF-001, RSW-001, RSW-004, RSW-005, and RSW-006 on October 18 were invalid for oil and grease since the tare weights for the samples were not recorded. As a result, the reportable concentrations for oil and grease at these sampling locations were not accurate. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. To prevent a re-occurrence of this issue, staff were reminded to measure and record the tare weight for each incoming sample received. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation to minimize human error. |
Per SectionVIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for MBAS. The samples collected from RSW-001, RSW-002, RSW-004, RSW-005 and RSW-006 on October 18 were invalid due to the use of an expired MBAS stock check standard in analyses. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. To prevent a re-occurrence of this issue, staff was reminded of the standard validation policy to perform monthly checks of all standards used in analyses to ensure they are not expired. Staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation to minimize human error.
Per Section IV.A.1 and VIII.A.1 of the MRP, effluent and receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for oil and grease. The samples collected from EFF-001, RSW-001, RSW-004, RSW-005, and RSW-006 on October 18 were invalid for oil and grease since the tare weights for the samples were not recorded. As a result, the reportable concentrations for oil and grease at these sampling locations were not accurate. Make-up samples will be collected in November and the results will be included in the November report. To prevent a re-occurrence of this issue, staff were reminded to measure and record the tare weight for each incoming sample received. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation to minimize human error. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1090367 |
03/31/2021 |
DMON |
Missing results for mercury for 001-Q for the quarterly monitoring period ending on March 31, 2019. Used the NODI code H, but no explanation in cover letter or results report in CIWQS. |
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Violation |
B |
Report |
1091101 |
03/23/2021 |
DMON |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for BOD5, surfactants (CTAS), turbidity, nitrate nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen. Results from RSW-004 collected on March 23 were canceled because the sample bottle associated with those parameters was improperly labeled. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff were reminded to double check bottle labels prior to analysis. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation. |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for BOD5, surfactants (CTAS), turbidity, nitrate nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen. Results from RSW-004 collected on March 23 were canceled because the sample bottle associated with those parameters was improperly labeled. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff were reminded to double check bottle labels prior to analysis. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1091102 |
03/23/2021 |
DMON |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for total suspended solids and settleable solids. Results from RSW-006 collected on March 23 were canceled because the sample bottle associated with those parameters was improperly labeled. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff were reminded to double check bottle labels prior to analysis. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation. |
Per Section VIII.A.1 of the MRP, receiving water samples shall be analyzed monthly for total suspended solids and settleable solids. Results from RSW-006 collected on March 23 were canceled because the sample bottle associated with those parameters was improperly labeled. To prevent this issue from re-occurring, staff were reminded to double check bottle labels prior to analysis. Laboratory staff are also in the process of implementing a new procedure to improve documentation. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1089985 |
02/12/2021 |
OEV |
Total Coliform Single Sample Maximum limit is 23 CFU/100 mL and reported value was 24 CFU/100 mL at EFF001 WRR. |
Per Section B.2 of the WRR, recycled water used for the irrigation of parks, playgrounds, schoolyards, and other areas where the public has similar access or exposure shall be adequately disinfected at all times such that the number of total coliform bacteria does not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in any sample. However Title 22 requires recycled water used for these purposes to be disinfected tertiary recycled water such that the number of total coliform bacteria does not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in more than one sample within any 30-day period. The total coliform result of 24 CFU/100mL on February 12 exceeded the 23 CFU/100mL limit in the WRR, but the total coliform density did not exceed 23 CFU/100mL in any other sample during the 30 days before and after February 12, meeting the requirements in Title 22. Notification of the incident was provided to the Regional Board on February 18 at approximately 4:00 p.m., soon after confirming the exceedance. Because recycled water produced on February 12 met applicable Title 22 disinfection requirements, it is unlikely that any adverse conditions that could be detrimental to public health or the environment resulted from the use of this recycled water. To prevent a recurrence of this issue, Long Beach WRP operations staff will continue to closely monitor the disinfection system performance. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1085850 |
11/21/2020 |
DMON |
Per the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. Results from the effluent sample collected on November 21 were invalid due to a leak of incubation bath water into the bag containing the sample. On November 21, the recycled water produced at the Long Beach WRP underwent adequate disinfection with normal chlorine dosing and flow; turbidity and other water quality parameters monitored in the plants final effluent were within permit limitations; and the plant was operating under normal conditions for the day. Thus, the coliform levels in the final effluent were likely below permit limitations on November 21. |
To prevent re-occurrence, a senior technician will ensure that all sample bags are properly sealed prior to incubation. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
1080317 |
07/16/2020 |
CAT1 |
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 1-Hour Average (Mean) limit is 0 % and reported value was 0 % at EFF-001A. |
A sample was not collected on July 16 at Long Beach WRP for TSS, due to autosampler malfunctions, after both the main and back up samplers were rewired incorrectly with a new signal interface. Therefore, there is no TSS result for the effluent on July 16. This issue has been resolved. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1074271 |
02/17/2020 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1074272 |
02/16/2020 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1074270 |
02/14/2020 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Per Section IV.A.1. of the MRP, effluent samples shall be collected daily for total suspended solids (TSS). On February 14, 16 and 17, sufficient sample volume was not collected to analyze for TSS due to improper autosampler programming. Therefore, there are no effluent TSS results for those dates. The programming issue was discovered and corrected on February 17. To prevent this issue from re-ocurring, staff were retrained to check the autosampler settings daily. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1065319 |
07/19/2019 |
DMON |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, the effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. The sample collected on July 19 was invalidated because the total coliform counts were conducted before the end of the required incubation time. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analyst was reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Per Section IV.A.1 of the MRP, the effluent samples shall be analyzed Monday to Friday, except holidays, for total coliform. The sample collected on July 19 was invalidated because the total coliform counts were conducted before the end of the required incubation time. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, the analyst was reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Violation |
B |
eSMR |
1066599 |
07/19/2019 |
DMON |
Per the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform analysis of a recycled water sample collected on July 19 was invalidated because the total coliform counts were conducted before the end of the required incubation time. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, laboratory staff were reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Per the MRP, recycled water samples shall be analyzed daily for total coliform. The total coliform analysis of a recycled water sample collected on July 19 was invalidated because the total coliform counts were conducted before the end of the required incubation time. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, laboratory staff were reminded of the incubation time requirement. |
Violation |
U |
eSMR |
Report displays most recent five years of violations. Refer to the Interactive Violation Report for more data.
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Total Violations: 22
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Priority Violations: 0
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*Click the "(+/-) Violation Description" link to expand and contract the violation description.
*As of 5/20/2010, the Water Board's Enforcement Policy requires that all violations be classified as 1, 2 or 3, with class 1 being the highest. Prior to this, violations were simply classified as Yes or No. If a 123 classification has been assigned to a violation that occurred before this date, that classification data will be displayed instead of the Yes/No data.
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Violation Types |
CAT1 = Category 1 Pollutant (Effluent Violation for Group 1 Pollutant)
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DMON = Deficient Monitoring
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OEV = Other Effluent Violation
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Surface Water = Surface Water
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