Templates for Narrative Downstream Protection Criteria in State Water Quality Standards

These narrative templates are intended as suggestions that states and tribes may use as starting points to customize the downstream protection provisions in their water quality standards.

Downstream protection provisions may be narrative or numeric, and states and tribes have discretion in choosing their preferred approach, based on their individual circumstances.

EPA encourages early coordination between States and their EPA Regions to ensure the most streamlined process.

• Narrative Templates

• Narrative 1
• Narrative 2
• Narrative 3
• Narrative 4

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Narrative 1

Insert from pick list AAll watersStreams/RiversLakesClass X watersOther subset of waters (specify) shall maintain a level of water quality

insert one or more from pick list Bat their pour points to downstream [insert from list C]that is demonstrated by water quality modeling tothat is demonstrated by mass balance toother description (that) provide(s) for the attainment and maintenance of the water quality standards of (those) downstream

insert from pick list Cwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify), including the

insert from pick list Cwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify) of another state.

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Narrative 2

Insert from pick list AAll watersStreams/RiversLakesClass X watersOther subset of waters (specify) shall maintain such (level of water) quality (at their pour points to downstream 

insert from pick list Bwaterslakesestuariescoastal waterswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify) that the water quality standards of (those) downstream

insert from pick list Bwaterslakesestuariescoastal waterswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify)

insert from pick list Cas demonstrated by water quality modelingas demonstrated by mass balance analysisas demonstrated by fate and transport analysisother description - including the

insert from pick list Bwaterslakesestuariescoastal waterswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify) of another state - are attained and maintained.

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Narrative 3

Insert from pick list AAll watersStreams/RiversLakesClass X watersOther subset of waters (specify) shall not exceed a

insert one or more from pick list Bconcentration of pollutantsconcentration of (specify pollutant(s))

insert from pick list Cat their pour points to downstream [insert from list D]that water quality modeling demonstrates isthat mass balance analysis demonstrates isother description (that is) necessary to provide for the attainment and maintenance of the water quality standards of those downstream

insert from pick list Dwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify), including the

insert from pick list Dwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify) of another state.

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Narrative 4

Insert from pick list AAll watersStreams/RiversLakesClass X watersOther subset of waters (specify) shall not exceed a

insert one or more from pick list Bloading of pollutantsloading of (specify pollutant(s)) (at their pour points) to downstream

insert from pick list Cwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify)

insert from pick list Dthat water quality modeling demonstrates isthat mass balance analysis demonstrates isthat analysis of fate and transport demonstrates isother description (that is) necessary to attain and maintain the water quality standards of those downstream 

insert from pick list Cwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify), including the

insert from pick list Cwaterslakesestuariescoastal watersstreams/riverswaters protected by more stringent criteriaclass X watersother subset of waters (specify) of another state.