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Water quality standards are designed to protect the beneficial uses of our streams and lakes. Beneficial uses can include drinking water, irrigation, fishing, habitat and recreation (swimming, wading, and boating). When a water body does not meet Washington State water quality standards it is placed on the state’s Section 303(d) list of impaired water bodies. The Walla Walla River, Touchet River, and Mill Creek were placed on the 1998 303(d) list (see table below for specific impairments).
| 1998 303(d) listings in the Walla Walla Watershed | |||
| Touchet River | Mill Creek | ||
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To learn more about these parameters please visit The Environmental Importance of the Different Impairments page.
Once placed on the 303(d) list, a water quality improvement project (also known as a Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL) is normally completed. Visit the TMDL Web site for more information on TMDLs.
Work on the Walla Walla watershed TMDLs began in 2002. Although the 1998 303(d) list prompted the TMDLs, additional listings on the 2004 303(d) List are also addressed. Information about Ecology’s 2004 303(d) listings is available by visiting the 2004 Integrated Water Quality Assessment Web site.
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