Surface Water Quality Standards
 

News and Announcements

Triennial Review of State Surface Water Quality Standards

The Department announces the initiation of the Triennial Review of state surface water quality standards. The Department has prepared a Factsheet and has scheduled three public workshops.

Draft Technical Support Document: Derivation of Dissolved Oxygen Criteria to Protect Aquatic Life in Florida’s Fresh and Marine Waters

• May 15, 2012 at Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southeast District Office, 400 North Congress Avenue, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, Florida (5/15 Agenda)
• May 16, 2012 at Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Central District Office, 3319 Maguire Boulevard, Suite 232, Conference Rooms A/B/C, Orlando, Florida (5/16 Agenda)
• May 17, 2012 at Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 609, Tallahassee, Florida (5/17 Agenda)
• To view further information … see our Triennial Review web page.

With over 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, 7800 lakes, and 4000 square miles of estuaries, Florida has an abundance of surface waters that are used for a variety of purposes by the people who live and work here, by those who are visiting, and by the fish and wildlife that depend on these waters.

The federal Clean Water Act provides the statutory basis for state water quality standards programs. The regulatory requirements governing these programs (Water Quality Standards Regulation) are published in 40 CFR 131. States are responsible for reviewing, establishing, and revising water quality standards. Florida’s surface water quality standards system is published in 62-302 (and 62-302.530) of the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The components of this system include: classifications, criteria, including site specific criteria, an anti-degradation policy, and special protection of certain waters (Outstanding Florida Waters).

In response to recent initiatives put forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Florida has been working to develop biological criteria and numeric nutrient criteria for fresh waters and estuaries.

Standards & Assessment Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road - M.S. 6511
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-8064
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