Orientation: California State Water Resources Control Board
Protection of groundwater resources is a prime force driving environmental site assessments. In cases such as leaking underground storage tanks or contamination from spills of industrial solvents, the environmental consultant performs its work under oversight of the regulatory agencies responsible for the protection of groundwater. In cases where assessments are driven by business transactions; e.g., Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment, although not working directly under the auspices of the regulatory agencies, the consultant nonetheless is acutely tuned to what could be the ramifications if the investigations were to come eventually under the jurisdiction of these agencies.
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| The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is a division of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA). Its mission is “ to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California's water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations." The SWRCB was created in 1967. The Board consists of five full-time salaried Members. Each board member is appointed to a four-year term by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. |
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The SWRCB delegates actions to the local levels through nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards). The mission of the Regional Boards is to develop and enforce water quality objectives and implementation plans that will best protect the beneficial uses of the State's waters, recognizing local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology.
The maps below depicts how California is divided between the Boards and show two regional boards. Regions 5 and 6 are further subdivided.
If you want to know about your Regional Water Quality Control Board and its various programs, go to http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/regions.html and click on your region.
Each Regional Board has nine part-time Members also appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Regional Boards develop "basin plans" for their hydrologic areas, issue waste discharge permits, take enforcement action against violators, and monitor water quality. The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water, including the needs of industry, agriculture, municipal districts, and the environment is an ongoing challenge for the Water Board and Regional Boards. |
