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Basic Information
We are committed to the goals and principles of our Indian Policy. We recognize that Indian tribes and Native Alaskan Villages face serious human health and environmental problems. Protection of the nation's waters is an enormous task. We are responsible for developing sound, scientifically defensible standards, criteria, advisories, and guidelines under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. We are working with Indian Tribes, our regions, other federal agencies, and states to protect the health and environment of waters in Indian Country.
Our Indian Strategy, part of the 1997 Strategic Plan sets objectives to meet the goal of clean and safe water in Indian country. We have several guiding principles to support the Strategy's implementation, including:
- providing the appropriate tools to tribes and ourselves to implement water programs in Indian country;
- devoting continued senior water program management support and involvement; and
- identifying resource levels required to accomplish the commitments in this Strategy, redirecting resources where possible, identifying additional resource needs, and seeking to obtain necessary resources through our budget process.
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).
Related links:
- Repository of documents for authorized Tribal Water Quality Standards
- Water Quality Standards programs where you live
- Indian Policy
- Protecting Public Health and Water Resources in Indian Country - A Plan for EPA/Tribal Partnership