Regional Water Quality Standards Information
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EPA finalizes action on new and revised aquatic life criteria for toxics in Oregon's water quality standards, January 2013
EPA Region 10 has finalized its action on the new and revised aquatic life criteria for toxic pollutants submitted by Oregon in July 2004, as amended by its April 2007 and August 2011 submissions.
EPA approves revisions to the human health criteria for toxics in Oregon's water quality standards, October 2011
We have approved Oregon’s revised water quality standards for toxic pollutants based on a fish consumption rate of 175 grams/day. Oregon will now use these new water quality standards when it regulates activities under the Clean Water Act. The new standards will ensure healthier fish with fewer contaminants and cleaner drinking water for all Oregonians.
The revised toxics criteria are intended to be protective of all Oregonians, particularly those for whom fish is a significant portion of a regular diet. These populations include fishermen, tribes and coastal communities.
Contact Jannine Jennings (jennings.jannine@epa.gov) at 206-553-2724. For press inquiries, contact Hanady Kader (kader.hanady@epa.gov) at 206-553-0454.
More information:
EPA Action on Oregon's Human Health Criteria - June 2010
EPA's 2004 approval of Oregon Water Quality Standards for temperature, inter-gravel dissolved oxygen and antidegradation in accordance with the Clean Water Act.
Contacts
1200 Sixth Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
Fax (206) 553-0165
Jill Nogi, nogi.jill@epa.gov, (206) 553-1841
Debra Sturdevant, sturdevant.debra@deq.state.or.us, (503) 229-6691
Related Information
What are Water Quality Standards?
Water quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based control program mandated by the Clean Water Act. Water Quality Standards define the goals for a waterbody by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants.
A water quality standard consists of four basic elements:
- designated uses of the water body (e.g., recreation, water supply, aquatic life, agriculture),
- water quality criteria to protect designated uses (numeric pollutant concentrations and narrative requirements),
- an antidegradation policy to maintain and protect existing uses and high quality waters, and
- general policies addressing implementation issues (e.g., low flows, variances, mixing zones).