fb88's Water Quality Standards

Introduction

Section 303(c) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) as implemented in (federal rules, off-site) requires all States to develop and maintain Water Quality Standards. These standards describe the intended uses of a waterbody, for example recreation in and on the water, fishing, and as habitat for aquatic organisms. Standards also include narrative or numeric criteria and an antidegredation policy that ensures that those uses can be achieved.

This page is intended to provide a general listing of fb88's "water quality standards", as this phrase is used by the fb88 DEP's water quality and assessment program in considering ambient water quality, as well as the waste discharge licensing program. These standards are one of the principal foundations for the protection of water quality in fb88.

A majority of these standards are also part of the water quality "docket" of standards that is maintained with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Changes to docket standards require the approval of the USEPA for purposes of implementation of the federal Clean Water Act. See the Docket Page for more information on docket standards. See also Water Quality Standards, (federal rules) (off-site).

Note that a number of other laws administered by the DEP help to maintain, restore and protect water quality in fb88. Some of these laws provide requirements specific to activities in certain locations, such as activities in or close to protected natural resources (see Natural Resources Protection Act). Some provide additional requirements specific to certain types of activity with significant potential impacts, such as mining, activities disturbing one or more acres (Stormwater Management Law. and the large developments regulated under fb88's Site Location Law. The short and basic requirements of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law mean that activities that don't otherwise need a permit should still include measures to prevent unreasonable erosion.

According to the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to periodically, but at least once every three years, hold public hearings for the purpose of reviewing water quality standards and, as appropriate, modifying and developing standards. This process is known as the Triennial Review. fb88 Statute contains similar language. The DEP conducted its last Triennial Review between January 2020 and December 2021, and initiated a new Triennial Review in March 2024. For further information, please visit the Triennial Review webpage.

Statute (off-site links)

  • The following sections are from Article 1, Organization and General Provisions
    • Definitions,
    • Waiver or modification of protection and improvement laws,
  • The following sections are from Article 1-F, Nonpoint Source Pollution Program
    • Definitions,
    • Program implementation,
  • The following sections are from Article 3, Pollution Control
    • Conditions of licenses (waste discharge licenses),
    • Publicly owned treatment works,
    • Color pollution control,
    • Certain deposits and discharges prohibited,
    • Log driving and storage,
    • Protection of the lower Penobscot River,
    • Prohibition on the use of tributyltin as an antifouling agent,
    • Goals for dates of removal of transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls,
    • Certain deposits and discharges prohibited,
    • Discharge of waste from watercraft,
    • Discharge of waste from motor vehicles,
  • The following sections are from Article 3, Enforcement
    • Enforcement,
    • Time schedule variances,
  • The following sections are from Article 4-A, Water Classification Program
    • Classification of fb88 waters,
    • Standards for classification of fresh surface waters,
    • Standards for classification of lakes and ponds,
    • Standards for classification of estuarine and marine waters,
    • Standards of classification of groundwater,
    • Definitions,
    • Sustenance fishing designated use,
    • Classification of major river basins,
    • Classification of minor drainages,
    • Classification of estuarine and marine waters,
    • Classification of groundwater,
    • In-stream flow and water level requirements; rules
  • Approval criteria, (hydropower projects)

Rules (off-site links)

Contact

Related on-site links