Water Quality > Ground & Surface Water Quality Standards > Surface Water Quality Standards

Surface Water Quality Standards

Rule Revisions

Approved Surface Water Quality Standards: Learn more about the rule activity documents and timeline for the surface water quality standards most recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Archival Rule Documents: Learn more about rule activity documents and timeline related to archival rule-makings.

Overview: Learn more about the Surface Water Quality Standards and how they interact with the waters of Washington State.

Designated uses: Learn more about how designated uses have sometimes been called “beneficial uses” and include public water supply, protection for fish, shellfish, and wildlife, as well as recreational, agricultural, industrial, navigational and aesthetic purposes.

Surface water criteria: Learn more about fresh and marine water quality criteria developed to provide protection for designated uses.

Antidegradation: Learn more about how the surface water quality standards help prevent unnecessary lowering of water quality, and provide a framework to identify those waters that are designated as an “outstanding resource” by the state.

Other Information

Triennial Review: Learn more about how the Triennial Review provides an opportunity to discuss the priorities and commitments the agency makes with EPA and others regarding the surface water quality standards.

State Programs that Implement the Standards: Learn more about other state programs that implement the surface water quality standards.

Related Information: Learn more about other information related to the surface water quality standards.