WSP06659

• File Number: 8273.500
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - EPA
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1983
• Title: Water Quality Standards Program Fact Sheet
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Project Overview

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Criteria and Standards Division
November 1983

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WATER QUALITY STANDARDS PROGRAM FACT SHEET

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PURPOSE.

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A water quality standard defines the water quality gpals for
a particular water body, by deciding what its use will be and by
setting criteria necessary to protect that use. States adopt
water quality standards to protect public health or welfare,
enhance the quality of water and serve the purposes of the Clean
Water Act. Water quality standards should, wherever attainable,
provide water quality for the protection and propagation of fish,
shellfish and wildlife and provide for recreation in and on the
water.

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such standards serve the dual purposes of-establishing the
water quality goals for a specific water body and of serving as
the regulatory basis for the establishment of water-quality-based
treatment controls and strategies beyond the technology-based
levels of treatment required by Sections 30l(b) and 306 of the
Act.

FEATURES OF THE REVISED REGULATION

o Increases the emphasis in state standards on control of toxic
pollutants.
o provides for mandatory upgrading of uses to the goals of the
Act.
o Clarifies downgrading provisions.
o Clarifies State/EPA roles in adopting and approving standards.
o Desc:ribes acceptable forms and de'rivation of criteria.
o Clarifies and expands antidegradation policy.
o Recognizes application of general policies on mixing zones and
variances and EPA review of these policies.
o Specifies administrative procedures required of States and EPA.

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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER QUALITY STANDARDS SUBMISSION

o Use designations and water quality criteria sufficient to
protect the designated uses.
o A statewide antidegradation policy.
o Certification that standards are duly adopted according to State
law.
o Justification to support revisions in standards and information
on general policies which may affect their application and
implementation.

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STATE REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

o At least once every three years a State must:
-hold _~publ ic hearings for the purpose of rev iewing and
revising standards.
-re-examine the basis of decision for uses not consistent
with goals of the Act.
-reclassify water bodies to include uses that are attainablef
adopt or revise criteria.
o Submit the results of the reviews to EPA for approval.

DESIGNATION OF USES

State Must Adopt

o Uses consistent with the goals of the Act, unless other uses
are justified by a Use Attainability Analysis.
o Uses and criteria that will protect downstream standards.
o Standards reflecting the uses actually being attained.

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