Washington State's Water Quality Assessment [303(d)]

Washington State's Water Quality Assessment lists the status of water quality for a particular location in one of 5 categories recommended by EPA. This Assessment represents the Integrated Report for Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act. Categories 1 – 4 represent the status of waters for the 305(b) Report, while Category 5 represents those waters placed on the 303(d) list.

The difference between the 305(b) report and the 303(d) list is that the 305(b) report is a state-wide assessment, while the 303(d) list reports just on the impaired waters of the state.

Waters placed on Category 5 require the preparation of Water Quality Improvement Projects (TMDLs). TMDLs are a key tool in the work to clean up polluted waters.

2008 Water Quality Assessment Process

Information on the 2008 Water Quality Assessment for Washington.

The 2008 listing cycle satisfies the Environmental Protection Agencies requirements for both the 2006 and 2008 assessment periods.

Information on Ensuring Credible Data for Water Quality Management and the Revision to the 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Assessment Report Policy (Policy 1-11) Documents

Information on the two policy documents relating to quality assurance and credible data.

2004 Integrated Water Quality Assessment

This is the current list - Integrated Report.

NOTE:  EPA did not require states to submit a 303(d) list in 2000.

Introduction

Historical Information on Washington State’s Water Quality Assessments, 303(d) Lists & 305(b) Reports

Contacts

Related Links