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Water Quality Criteria

  • What are Water Quality Criteria?

    Criteria help protect water bodies by identifying pollutant levels or conditions that support the designated uses.

    Learn the basics of water quality criteria

  • Five-Year Review of Recreational Criteria

    The EPA is required to review its recommended recreational water quality criteria (RWQC) every five years.

    Learn about EPA’s Second Five-Year Review

  • Bioassessment and Biocriteria Programs

    Many states and territories evaluate the health of their streams and rivers using bioassessment and biological criteria.

    Use our map to view if your state or territory has a program

  • Numeric Nutrient Criteria

    Water quality criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus help to protect water bodies and restore those that are impaired by nutrient pollution.

    Learn about Numeric Nutrient Criteria

The Clean Water Act requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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.


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
    • Human Health Criteria for PFAS
  • Recreational Criteria and Methods

Aquatic Life

Aquatic Life
  • Toxics Criteria and Methods
    • PFAS and Aquatic Life
  • 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
  • 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 May 20, 2025
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