Science & Technology

Report: Improved Review Processes Could Advance EPA Regions 3 and 5 Oversight of State-Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits

Report #21-P-0122, April 21, 2021. Improved EPA oversight could ensure that state NPDES programs are protecting human health and the environment.

Semiannual Report to Congress: October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021

Report #EPA-350-R-21-00, May 28, 2021.

Report: EPA Did Not Conduct Agencywide Risk Assessment of CARES Act Appropriations, Increasing Risk of Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement

Report #21-E-0128, May 4, 2021. The OIG documented and assessed the internal controls that the EPA implemented to mitigate risks of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement over the CARES Act appropriations.

Report: EPA Should Conduct New Residual Risk and Technology Reviews for Chloroprene- and Ethylene Oxide-Emitting Source Categories to Protect Human Health

Report #21-P-0129, May 6, 2021. The EPA should conduct new RTRs for chloroprene- and ethylene oxide-emitting source categories to address elevated individual lifetime cancer risks impacting over 464,000 people, and to achieve environmental justice.

Report: EPA Helps States Reduce Trash, Including Plastic, in U.S. Waterways but Needs to Identify Obstacles and Develop Strategies for Further Progress

Report #21-P-0130, May 11, 2021. The EPA and states can reduce the volume of trash, including plastics, in U.S. waterways by evaluating barriers to implementing the Clean Water Act and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.

Report: Staffing Constraints, Safety and Health Concerns at EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center May Compromise Ability to Achieve Mission

Report #21-P-0131, May 12, 2021. Safety, health, and attrition issues may compromise NEIC’s ability to support the EPA’s civil and criminal enforcement efforts.

Report: Resource Constraints, Leadership Decisions, and Workforce Culture Led to a Decline in Federal Enforcement

Report #21-P-0132, May 13, 2021. A decline in the EPA's enforcement activities may expose the public and the environment to undetected harmful pollutants.

Summary of Hawai'i's Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse

Hawai'i (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Onsite non-potable reuse

Report: EPA Complies with Payment Integrity Information Act but Needs to Determine Cost Allowability When Testing for Improper Grant Payments

Report #21-P-0135, May 14, 2021. Improved review methods when considering the allowability of costs for grant funds will aid the EPA in identifying estimated improper payments.

Report: EPA Deviated from Typical Procedures in Its 2018 Dicamba Pesticide Registration Decision

Report #21-E-0146, May 24, 2021. The EPA needs to document and follow established procedures to ensure scientifically sound decisions regarding pesticides.

Report: EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory Has Taken Steps to Mitigate Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Mobile Source Emission Compliance

Report #21-E-0158, June 7, 2021. The OIG determined how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted laboratory operations and testing at the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Report: EPA Has Reduced Its Backlog of State Implementation Plans Submitted Prior to 2013 but Continues to Face Challenges in Taking Timely Final Actions on Submitted Plans

Report #21-E-0163, June 14, 2021. Delays in EPA SIP actions increase the risk that state or local air agencies are not implementing plans sufficient to achieve or maintain the NAAQS.

Summary of Georgia’s Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Non-potable Water Reuse

Georgia (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Onsite non-potable water reuse

Report: EPA Should Conduct More Oversight of Synthetic-Minor-Source Permitting to Assure Permits Adhere to EPA Guidance

Without clear and enforceable limitations in synthetic-minor-source permits, facilities may emit excess pollution that would otherwise subject them to the more stringent requirements of the Clean Air Act major-source permitting programs.

Management Implication Report Concerning Lack of Information Security Protection of Off-Network EPA Device

The EPA OIG has identified a critical control issue concerning the information security and scientific integrity of an environmental air sensor device. This critical control issue highlights the need for safeguards on remote devices procured, implemented,

Report: EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Has Made Limited Progress in Assessing Pesticides

Report #21-E-0186, July 28, 2021. Without the required testing and an effective system of internal controls, the EPA cannot make measurable progress toward complying with statutory requirements or safeguarding human health and the environment against risks

Summary of Florida’s Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Non-potable Water Reuse

Florida (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Onsite non-potable water reuse

Report: Compendium of Open and Unresolved Recommendations: Data as of March 31, 2021

Report #21-N-0191, August 4, 2021. This compendium analyzes the open and unresolved recommendations listed in the semiannual report covering our work from October 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021.

Summary of California’s Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Landscaping and Non-potable Water Reuse

California (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Onsite non-potable reuse

Summary of Texas' Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Rainwater Collected Onsite for Potable Water Reuse

Texas (State Regulation) | Source water: Onsite collected waters | End use: Potable water reuse