Water Quality Standards Regulations: Washington
- Lindsay Guzzo
(206) 553-0268
Information
Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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.
State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
In general, WQS submitted by a state, authorized Tribe, or territory are not effective for Clean Water Act purposes until the EPA reviews and approves them. The Actions Summary Tables summarize approval (and disapproval) actions for this state’s WQS and contain the EPA action letters that identify which WQS are in effect for CWA purposes. For provisions on which the EPA has not taken action, please refer to the related action letter.
- Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Washington, Chapter 173-201A WAC (pdf)
- (Effective November 19, 2021)
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Sediment Management Standards, Chapter 173-204 (pdf)
(Effective December 18, 2015) - Waters Requiring Supplemental Spawning and Incubation Protection for Salmonid Species (2011) (pdf)
Action Summary Table on Washington’s Water Quality Standards
Date of EPA Action | Summary of EPA Action | Notes on the Action | Other Related Information |
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11/19/2021 |
Disapproved WQS
Refer to Action Letter and Technical Support Document for Details |
On February 10, 2014, the Northwest Environmental Advocates filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington challenging, in part, the EPA’s February 11, 2008 CWA section 303(c) approval of the natural conditions provisions. On October 17, 2018, the Court issued an Order Granting a Stay (Dkt. 95) pending the EPA’s reconsideration of its prior determinations. The EPA’s 11/19/2021 action details the results of that reconsideration. |
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09/30/2021 |
Approved WQS
Disapproved WQS
Refer to Action Letter and Technical Support Document for Details |
Please refer to the action letter for provisions on which the EPA did not take action because they are not new or revised water quality standards. | |
10/13/2020 |
Approved WQS
Disapproved WQS
Refer to Action Letter and Technical Support Document for Details |
Please refer to the action letter for provisions on which the EPA did not take action because they are not new or revised water quality standards. | |
09/30/2020 |
Approved WQS
Refer to Action Letter for Details |
Please refer to the action letter for provisions on which the EPA did not take action because they are not new or revised water quality standards. | |
03/05/2020 |
Approved WQS
Refer to Action Letter and Technical Support Document for Details EPA Action Letter and Technical Support Document dated 03/05/2020 (pdf) |
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5/10/2019 |
Approved WQS
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On November 15, 2016, the EPA partially approved and partially disapproved certain HHC that the Washington Department of Ecology submitted to the EPA for review on August 1, 2016. In response to a February 21, 2017 petition from several entities, the EPA has reconsidered its partial disapproval. |
In light of this decision, the EPA intends to initiate a notice and comment process at a later date on a separate proposal to withdraw the related federally promulgated HHC. |
04/30/2019 |
Approved WQS
Refer to Action Letter and Technical Support Document for Details |
On April 30, 2019, the Washington Department of Ecology adopted new recreational use criteria for fresh and marine water quality recreational uses and updated water contact use categories consistent with the EPA’s 304(a) recommendations. | |
11/15/2016 |
Approved WQS
Disapproved WQS
Refer to Action Letter for Details
|
For the criteria that the EPA disapproved, concurrent with this action on Washington’s submittal, the EPA finalized a federal rule for Washington containing 144 human health criteria in accordance with CWA section 303(c)(3) and (c)(4) requirements. Applicable, EPA-approved human health criteria are available at 40 CFR 131.45. |
Please refer to the action letter for provisions on which the EPA has not yet taken action. |
08/10/2011 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details |
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05/14/2008 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details |
This action supersedes the February 11, 2008 decision in which the EPA did not take action on revisions to provisions addressing turbidity in freshwater and marine waters. | |
02/11/2008 | Approved WQS
• EPA Action letter dated 02/11/08 (pdf) |
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05/23/2007 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details |
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05/2/2007 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details |
Action Summary Table on Washington’s Sediment Management Standards
Date of EPA Action | Summary of EPA Action | Notes on the Action | Other Related Information |
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12/18/2015 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details |
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09/18/2008 |
Approved WQS Refer to Action Letter for Details
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Decision was re-approved on April 22, 2011 due to litigation. |
Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards
- On November 14, 2022, the EPA Administrator Regan signed a rule to restore the protective and science-based federal human health criteria (HHC) for the state of Washington’s waters that the EPA had originally promulgated in 2016 but later removed in 2020.
- Reconsideration of the EPA’s Partial Approval/Partial Disapproval of Washington’s Human Health Water Quality Criteria – the EPA approved certain human health criteria that the Agency previously disapproved on November 15, 2016 from an August 1, 2016 Washington standards submission. This action is in response to a February 21, 2017 petition from several entities.
- EPA Action Letter and Technical Support Document dated 5/10/19 (PDF)
Note: If you need assistance with the above document, call Hanh Shaw at 206-553-0171.
- EPA Action Letter and Technical Support Document dated 5/10/19 (PDF)
- Final Revision of Federal Human Health Criteria Applicable to Washington - the EPA revised the federal Clean Water Act human health criteria applicable to waters under Washington’s jurisdiction to ensure that the criteria are set at levels that will adequately protect fish consumers in Washington from exposure to toxic pollutants. Concurrent with the EPA’s final rule, the EPA took action under the CWA to approve in part, and disapprove in part, human health criteria submitted by Washington.
- Fact Sheet: Revision of Federal Human Health Criteria Applicable to Washington (pdf)
- Federal Register Notice | Docket OW-2015-0174
Note: This final rule will be effective on 12/28/16. - EPA's Partial Approval/Partial Disapproval of Washington's Human Health Water Quality Criteria and Implementation Tools (pdf)
- Table of Human Health Criteria Effective for Clean Water Act Purposes in Washington (pdf)
- Proposed Revision of Federal Human Health Criteria Applicable to Washington
- Fact Sheet: Proposed Revision of Federal Human Health Criteria Applicable to Washington (pdf)
- Federal Register Notice (September 14, 2015)
- Recordings of the EPA’s public hearings on the proposed rule:
- Withdrawal of Federal Marine Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Toxic Pollutants Applicable to Washington State
- Direct Final Rule: Federal Register Notice (July 09, 2007)
- Proposed Rule: Federal Register Notice (July 09, 2007)
- Docket at Regulations.gov