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Key Concepts
An Online Introductory Course
- The Purpose of the Online Course
- Coverage and Characteristics of the Online Course
- A Brief Orientation to Water Quality Standards
The Purpose of the Online Course
This online course introduces some key concepts that are discussed in greater depth in the 5-day, in-class Water Quality Standards Academy (WQSA) Basic Course. As such, the online course provides good preparation for taking the classroom course, enabling attendees to get the most out of the face-to-face classroom discussions. Further, although the material presented here is designed for people with little familiarity with water quality standards and criteria programs, people that have experience in this subject matter may benefit from taking the online course as refresher training.
Coverage and Characteristics of the Online Course
As an introduction presenting key concepts regarding water quality standards, this online course focuses on the following six core topics:
- An overview of the water quality standards program that addresses how EPA and the States/Tribes work together toward Clean Water Act objectives. This module of the online course also introduces the components of a State/Tribe's water quality standards.
- Designated uses of a water body (e.g., recreation, water supply, aquatic life, agriculture) and the difference between designed uses and existing uses. This module touches on options available to States/Tribes in defining designated uses.
- Water quality criteria to protect designated uses (numeric pollutant concentrations and narrative requirements). This module addresses the purpose of water quality criteria, the different types, and how they are expressed.
- Antidegradation policy to maintain and protect existing uses and high quality waters. This module considers requirements in addressing antidegradation questions and what EPA looks for in its review of a State/Tribe's antidegradation policy.
- General flexibility policies to address implementation issues. This module looks at questions that a State/Tribe is likely to confront concerning, for instance, low flows, variances, and mixing zones.
- EPA Review of State/Tribal water quality standards. EPA approval is required before a State/Tribe can use its standards as the basis for implementation actions under the Clean Water Act, such as establishing effluent limitations. The module also touches on the requirement that States/Tribes periodically review their water quality standards.
Each of the six modules of the online course is designed to be completed in about 15 minutes. The modules present text-based information across a sequence of pages that include user interactions, links to further information and resources, and brief video clips that expand on important points.
At the end of each module is a brief quiz with five or so easy-to-answer questions intended to reinforce the information presented in the module. Each time you complete a module quiz, you are presented with a password. After completing all six modules, you can obtain your online Certificate of Completion by inputting the six passwords into an online form at the end of the course. (Note that quiz responses are not scored or recorded.)
A Brief Orientation to Water Quality Standards
Basic Information
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 water body by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants.
Water quality standards are important because they help to protect and restore the quality of the Nation's surface waters, consistent with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Standards help to identify water quality problems caused by, for example, improperly treated wastewater discharges, runoff or discharges from active or abandoned mining sites, sediment, fertilizers, and chemicals from agricultural areas, and erosion of stream banks caused by improper grazing practices. Standards also support efforts to achieve and maintain protective water quality conditions.
Water Quality Standards Review and Revision
Each State and authorized Tribe has its own legal and administrative procedures for adopting water quality standards. In general, standards are adopted following a process in which draft revisions are developed and formally proposed for public comment. A public hearing is then held to receive input from the public regarding the proposal. The proposed water quality standards and supporting information are made available to the public prior to the hearing. States and Tribes are required to prepare a summary of the public comments received and how each comment was addressed. Pursuant to revisions to the water quality standards regulation promulgated in April of 2000 (the "Alaska" rule), new or revised water quality standards become effective for purposes of the Clean Water Act upon EPA approval.
The Clean Water Act requires States and authorized Indian Tribes to review their standards from time to time, but at least once every three years, and revise them if appropriate. Updates may be needed, for example, due to changing water quality conditions or waterbody uses or new scientific information on the effects of pollutants in the environment. In preparing proposed revisions to their standards, States and Tribes consider requests from industry, environmental groups, and the public, and review available information (e.g., CWA §305(b) reports, EPA guidance.
Indian Tribes Participation
Tribal participation in the water quality standards program requires completion of two principal tasks. One task is for the Tribe to submit an application to the EPA Regional Administrator to administer the program. EPA reviews the Tribe's application and decides whether the Tribe meets the applicable requirements. The second task is the development of water quality standards. A number of Tribes have elected to compile several years of water quality monitoring data prior to initiating development of water quality standards. Funding, guidance, training, and technical assistance are available from EPA.
(Note: This "brief orientation" is excerpted from information on EPA's Water Science Web site. To read the complete write-up, see the What Are Water Quality Standards? page of that Web site.)
