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Related Topics:
  • Nutrient Policy and Data
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Programmatic Information on Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria

Related Information

  • Technical Support for Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria Development
  • State Progress Toward Developing Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria for Nitrogen and Phosphorus

In 1993, EPA established a Nutrient Task Force to gather existing data on nutrient problems and available tools. By 1995, EPA published the proceedings of a National Nutrient Assessment Workshop designed to gather information that can aid states in developing and implementing appropriate nutrient endpoints, assessment methodologies and models.

  • National Nutrient Assessment Workshop, Proceedings: December 4-6, 1995 (pdf) (July 1996, EPA 822-R·96-004)

In 1998, EPA published a Numeric Nutrient Strategy describing the approach the Agency would follow to develop nutrient information and work with the states and tribes to help them adopt numeric nutrient criteria into their water quality standards.

  • Fact Sheet: National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria (pdf)
  • Report: National Strategy for the Development of Regional Nutrient Criteria (pdf)

In 2001, EPA issued a memorandum to states and authorized tribes that provided additional guidance for developing nutrient criteria plans and describing the role of the plans, the flexibility available to states and tribes, and EPA’s expectations for the time frame in which states and tribes should develop a plan and adopt nutrient criteria into their water quality standards.

  • Development and Adoption of Nutrient Criteria into Water Quality Standards (November 2001 EPA Memorandum) (pdf)

Then, in 2007, EPA issued a memorandum providing a national update on the development of numeric nutrient water quality standards and described EPA’s commitment to accelerating the pace of state and tribal progress.

  • Nutrient Pollution and Numeric Water Quality Standards (May 2007 EPA Memorandum) (pdf)

In 2008, EPA published the first national report on progress made by the states in adopting numeric nutrient water quality standards (WQS).

  • State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards 1998–2008 (pdf) (December 2008, EPA 821-F-08-007)

In recognition of the urgency of addressing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in U.S. waters, EPA formed the Nutrient Innovations Task Group (NITG). In 2009, the NITG published a report and fact sheet to draw public attention to the need for nutrient reduction strategies.

  • An Urgent Call to Action: Report of the State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group (August 2009) (pdf)
  • Nutrient Innovations Task Group, Report Fact Sheet (August 2009) (pdf)

In 2011, EPA published a comprehensive memorandum reaffirming its commitment to partnering with states and stakeholders to address nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. This memorandum presents a framework that states can use to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution while developing numeric criteria.

  • Working in Partnership with States to Address Phosphorus and Nitrogen Pollution through Use of a Framework for State Nutrient Reductions (March 2011 EPA Memorandum) (pdf)

In 2016, EPA reaffirmed its commitment to support states and stakeholders to collaborate in reducing nutrient pollution. This memorandum announces support for state planning or implementation of watershed-based, multi-stakeholder projects to reduce public health impacts from nitrates in drinking water sources and from nitrogen and phosphorus pollution contributing to harmful algal blooms in water bodies.

  • Renewed Call to Action to Reduce Nutrient Pollution and Support for Incremental Actions to Protect Water Quality and Public Health (September 2016 EPA Memorandum) (pdf)

In 2022, EPA reaffirms its commitment to accelerate progress in controlling excess nutrients entering our nation’s waters by scaling up existing, foundational approaches and more broadly deploying new data assessments, tools, financing approaches, and implementation strategies. EPA is relying in promising innovation, creative partnerships, a holistic One Water approach, and five governing principles to drive three major strategies leading to durable solutions to the challenges and costs associated with reducing nutrient pollution.

  • Accelerating Nutrient Pollution Reductions in the Nation’s Waters (April 2022 Memorandum) (pdf)
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Last updated on April 5, 2022