GENERAL OVERVIEW

Community surface waters consist of rivers, washes, floodways, and wetlands. The DEQ-WQP is responsible for ensuring surface waters meet their designated beneficial uses which is assessed by the draft water quality standards.

SURFACE WATER AND WATERSHED QUALITY MONITORING

The DEQ-WQP is responsible for implementing surface water quality monitoring programs. Staff collect water quality data to assess the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Community’s surface waters. The general purposes of the monitoring program are to:

• Collect data to determine current water quality conditions;
• Provide data to support water quality assessments;
• Determine compliance with applicable surface water quality standards;
• Provide data to support the development of new or revised water quality standards;
• Listing impaired surface waters not meeting water quality standards;
• Developing water quality improvement plans; and
• Supporting, reviewing, and suggesting revisions to the water quality standards.

A surface water is deemed to have impaired water quality if the chemical, biological, or physical integrity of the water does not meet one of the surface water's intended uses. Once a surface water is deemed to be impaired, an intensive survey of pollutants and sources in the watershed is conducted.

OVERSEEING DISCHARGES TO SURFACE WATER

The DEQ-WQP monitors point source discharges on and off-Community lands to assure compliance and compatibility with applicable state and federal laws and permits. Our program reviews and comments on federal and state issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that may impact Community water resources. We also monitor urban stormwater quality that enters the Community, which is considered a regulated point discharge under the federal Clean Water Act.

PROTECTING COMMUNITY WATERSHEDS

The DEQ-WQP is responsible for implementing the federal Clean Water Act §319(h) related activities in watersheds. Our program works cooperatively to implement best management practices (BMPs) for reducing nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants and implementing riparian/wetland restoration projects to improve water quality.

The DEQ-WQP also works with the US EPA on the implantation of the CWA §401 certification program.

The DEQ-WQP also works with the US EPA on the implementation of the CWA §401 certification program. Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act requires certification for any permit or license issued by a federal agency for an activity that may result in a discharge into waters of the U.S. This requirement allows each state or tribe to have input into federally approved projects that may affect its waters (rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands) and to ensure the projects will comply with water quality standards and any other water quality requirements. Until the Community receives approval to administer the 401 certification program, EPA Region 9 reviews all applications and issues certifications.

STORMWATER QUALITY -   Industrial Sites and Construction Projects

Stormwater generated from industrial sites or construction projects may be regulated by federal laws. The U.S. EPA Region 9 is the permitting authority for these types of permits.

 EPA Region 9 Stormwater Fact Sheet

Stormwater Quality

The DEQ-WQP monitors stormwater quality at several locations to assess the pollution from the stormwater sources.

Wetlands Management

The DEQ-WQP  conducts assessments of Community wetlands and is in the process of evaluating regulatory controls to manage wetland water quality.