Water Quality Standards Regulations: Kansas

Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state.

The EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", the EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are disapproved or are otherwise not in effect for CWA purposes. Additionally, please note the documents may also contain provisions that the EPA does not have the authority and duty to act on under the Clean Water Act because the provisions are not water quality standards.

• What is a New or Revised Water Quality Standard Under CWA 303(c)(3)? - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (108.04 KB)

• State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
• Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

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State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes

• Kansas Administrative Regulations (KAR), Title 28, Article 16, Surface Water Quality Standards (pdf) (1.2 MB)
  (Effective March 31,2025) Surface water quality standards for Kansas.
• Kansas Antidegradation Policy (pdf) (87.17 KB)
  (Effective June 23, 2008) Referenced in K.A.R. 28-16-28c(a).
• Kansas Surface Water Quality Standards, Tables of Numeric Criteria (2023) (pdf) (567.33 KB)
  (Effective March 31, 2025) Referenced in K.A.R. 28-16-28e(d). 
• Kansas Surface Water Quality Standards Register (pdf) (2 MB)
  (Effective August 24, 2022) Contains listing of classified waters in Kansas. Please note that the not all provisions are in effect for CWA purposes  (refer to cover letter for more information).
• Kansas Surface Water Quality Standards Variance Register (2023) (pdf) (405.07 KB)
  (Effective March 31, 2025) A listing of variances for Kansas.
• Kansas Implementation Procedures (pdf) (448.31 KB)
  (Effective August 24, 2022) This document specifies procedures for surface water classifications, designated uses, and criteria.
• Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA) 2002 Supp. 82a-2005 (pdf) (56.39 KB)
  (Effective August 4, 2003) This article addresses publication of attainability analysis protocols, review of use attainability analysis, and updating of Kansas Surface Water Register. Please note that only section 82(a)-2005(c) is a water quality standards provision for CWA purposes.
• Senate Substitute for House Bill 2219 (pdf) (142.67 KB)
  (Effective November 3, 2003) This Bill repealed and amended KSA Supp. 82a-2001 and addresses classified stream segments relating to recreational use. Please note that 82a-2001(a)(1)(D)(ii) was disapproved by EPA and therefore not effective for CWA purposes.

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Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

• 40 CFR §131.34  Kansas
• 40 CFR §131.36  Toxics criteria for those states not complying with Clean Water Act section 303(c)(2)(B)