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  2. Water Quality Standards: Regulations and Resources

Water Quality Standards Academy

To support water quality standards development, we offer the Water Quality Standards Academy (WQS Academy), which presents classroom-based and online courses, along with occasional webinars.

On this page:
  • Live Virtual WQS Academies
  • Virtual WQS Academy June 2024 Session Slides
  • Online Modules

Live Virtual WQS Academies

The WQS Academy (WQSA) provides WQS development and implementation information to WQS professionals associated with the federal, state, tribal and local agencies as well as the private sector. This highly structured training course covers all aspects of the water quality standards regulations, including the technical, scientific, administrative, and procedural aspects. The WQSA is an introductory course designed for those with six months to one year experience with water quality standards and criteria programs. However, others may benefit from the course, including veterans of the water quality standards program who want a refresher course.

EPA hosts the live virtual WQSA sessions in a half-day format held over 6 consecutive business days to allow for participation from multiple time-zones. The virtual session is offered twice each year, typically in the spring and winter.

  • Description of Modules Typically Presented at the WQS Academy (pdf) (81.87 KB)

Information on future live virtual sessions of the WQS Academy will appear on this page. Registration for the WQSA is free and open to the public.


Virtual WQS Academy June 2024 Session Slides

Because of the popularity of the WQS Academy live sessions, EPA has posted a copy of the slide decks used during presentations from the June 2024 virtual WQS Academy session. These files could be useful for those who have not yet attended a live course but wish to become familiar with important WQS concepts before attending the next available WQS Academy or for those who would like a refresher after having already taken the WQS Academy.

The information in the presentations was reviewed by EPA staff for technical accuracy. However, the information is only up to date as of the date of the presentation.

Please consider registering for a future live WQS Academy to obtain the latest information. These files are intended to be an interim resource and do not provide the same level of training as the live WQS Academy. We encourage all interested in WQS Academy to register for the next available session.  

Please note the following, also included as the first slide of each presentation:

The views expressed in the modules and during the presentation were those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of EPA.

These presentations do not:

  • Impose any binding requirements
  • Determine the obligations of the regulated community
  • Change or substitute for any statutory provision or regulatory requirement
  • Change or substitute for any Agency policy or guidance
  • Control in any case of conflict between this discussion and statute, regulation, policy, or guidance
  • Overview of the EPA, the Clean Water Act, and Water Quality Standards (pdf) (3.08 MB, June 2024)
  • Designated Uses and Revising Designated Uses (pdf) (1.47 MB, June 2024)
  • Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act (pdf) (2.69 MB, June 2024)
  • Introduction to Criteria (pdf) (1.39 MB, June 2024)
  • Human Health Ambient Water Quality Criteria (pdf) (1.64 MB, June 2024)
  • Biological Criteria (pdf) (8.16 MB, June 2024)
  • Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Toxics (pdf) (3.47 MB, June 2024)
  • Site-Specific Criteria and Site-Dependent Criteria (pdf) (1.7 MB, June 2024)
  • Recreational Water Quality Criteria for Primary Contact Recreation (pdf) (2.05 MB, June 2024)
  • Nutrient Criteria (pdf) (7.26 MB, June 2024)
  • Antidegradation (pdf) (1.13 MB, June 2024)
  • Water Quality Standards Variances (pdf) (1.1 MB, June 2024)
  • Economic Considerations in Water Quality Standards (pdf) (1.61 MB, June 2024)
  • Water Quality Standards Development and Review (pdf) (758.19 KB, June 2024)
  • Water Quality Standards for Tribal Waters (pdf) (759.76 KB, June 2024)
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program Overview (pdf) (1.96 MB, June 2024)
  • Permitting Tools with Roots in Water Quality Standards (pdf) (553.63 KB, June 2024)
  • Clean Water Act Section 401 - Water Quality Certification (pdf) (7.71 MB, June 2024)
  • Monitoring and Assessment (pdf) (3.39 MB, June 2024)
  • Wetland WQS and Clean Water Act Section 404 (pdf) (2.72 MB, June 2024)
  • Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Listings and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) (pdf) (1.18 MB, June 2024)
  • Tools for Achieving Water Quality Standards (pdf) (944.89 KB, June 2024)

Online Modules

Online modules are intended to provide users with basic information on topics that are not regularly covered in the live virtual academy.

  • Presentation: How to Develop and Implement Public Involvement Programs and Practices (pdf) (2.27 MB, 2014)
  • Copper Biotic Ligand Model

Water Quality Standards: Regulations and Resources

  • What are Water Quality Standards?
  • Federal WQS Requirements
  • Standards in Your Area
  • Federally Promulgated WQS for Specific States, Territories, and Tribes
  • Tribes and Water Quality Standards
    • EPA Actions on Tribal WQS and Contacts
  • WQS Handbook
  • Reference Library of WQS Policy and Guidance Documents
  • WQS Academy
Contact Us: Standards for Water Body Health - Regulations and Resources
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on April 28, 2025
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