Water quality criteria action checklist

1) Compile a list of characteristics that need to be monitored and managed to fully protect uses in your watershed.

2) Get a copy of your water quality standards. Most states have them available online, but you can use River Network’s online searchable database to find your state contact and link to the standards. (www.rivernetwork.org/cleanwater/cwa_search.asp) You can also find the approved standards on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/wqsdatabase/.

3) Review the general narrative criteria that apply across the state.

4) Review the numeric criteria developed to protect existing and designated uses in your watershed. Is the state missing important criteria that you identified? What else should be measured, monitored and controlled through permits?

5) Determine which water quality parameters are particularly important in your watershed.

6) Identify how protection differs between designated uses.How does the temperature criterion change from “cold water fishery” to “warm water fishery?” How does the bacteria criterion change from swimming to boating?

7) Build a team of technical advisors consisting of biologists, chemists, hydrologists, toxicologists, etc.

8) Make a list of state-wide and watershed specific criteria that may not be strong enough to protect the uses in your area; develop your case for improving these criteria.

9) Make your case during the Triennial Review or in a petition process.

10) Make sure that any caveats or regionally specific characteristics stated in EPA criteria guidance documents are fully considered when criteria are established, permits are written and watershed restoration plans (TMDLs) are developed.

11) Insist that permits and watershed restoration plans (TMDLs) in your watershed are based on the appropriate criteria.

< Back to Previous Page