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Water Quality Criteria

The Clean Water Act requires EPA to develop criteria for surface water quality that accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge on the impacts of pollutants on human health and the environment.  Basic Information on Water Quality Criteria.


Current Water Quality Criteria Tables

Photo of spreadsheets
  • Aquatic Life Criteria Table
  • Human Health Criteria Table
  • Organoleptic Effects Criteria Table

Human Health

Human Health Criteria
  • Toxics Criteria and Methods
  • Recreational Criteria and Methods

Aquatic Life

Aquatic Life
  • Toxics Criteria and Methods
  • Nutrient Water Quality Criteria
  • Biological Water Quality Criteria
  • Other Aquatic Life Water Quality Resources

Related Resources

  • State-Specific Water Quality Standards Effective under the Clean Water Act (CWA)
  • Water Quality Standards for Practitioners
  • Water Quality Standards for Stakeholders
  • Water Quality Standards Training
  • NPDES Permit Training
  • Federal-State Toxicology Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC)
  • Ground Water and Drinking Water
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on September 29, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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