Water quality standards (WQS) are adopted by states to protect human health and aquatic life in water bodies.

WQS include three components:

  • Designated uses document how each river, lake, and stream is primarily used. The main designated use classifications are drinking water, recreation, and habitat for aquatic life.
  • Water quality criteria define the conditions a water body must meet to support its designated uses. For example, the concentration of bacteria that is considered safe for recreational activities.
  • Anti-degradation policies are established to maintain good water quality and ensure that water bodies continue to support their designated uses.

Water quality standards are a core component of the Clean Water Act (CWA). They underpin many other CWA programs, including water quality monitoring, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, nonpoint source programs, oceans and wetland programs, and source water protection.

Water Quality Standards Workgroup

A group of people talk at a water quality standards meeting

NEIWPCC’s Water Quality Standards Workgroup is made up of our state and federal partners. While each state has their own system of standards, workgroup members meet regularly to collaborate on interstate water quality issues, address emerging concerns, and learn from each other’s successes and challenges.

Workgroup projects are driven by current water quality standards topics and members’ needs. Some of our projects have included:

  • Compiling our member states’ Water Quality Standards Matrix and Designated Uses and Classifications.
  • Tracking and discussing developments and changes to EPA guidance, states’ water quality standards, and related litigation.
  • Providing a unified regional response to new, proposed, and revised EPA regulations and rules, including through comment letters on EPA regulatory processes.
  • Developing a northeast-specific Water Quality Standards Training to bring together state staff from around the region to learn and share information about state standards.

NEIWPCC has a long history of collaboration for clean water among the states of the Northeast.

To learn more contact Beth Malcolm.

A RIDEM employee collects a water sample from a forested stream

U.S. EPA Resources

State Water Quality Standards