EPA released the draft Frequently Asked Questions: Implementing the 2021 Recommended Clean Water Act Section 304(a) Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs (pdf), for a 60-day public comment period. This document supports state and tribal adoption and implementation of EPA’s 2021 Recommended Clean Water Act Section 304(a) Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs (announced on August 13, 2021). Consistent with the latest scientific information, the national recommended criteria are intended to protect three designated uses (aquatic life, recreation and drinking water) in lakes and reservoirs from the negative effects of nutrient pollution.
The draft FAQs document addresses the adoption of numeric nutrient criteria (i.e., total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a) and implementation of the criteria in waterbody assessment and listing programs, as well as in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination permits and drinking water source protection.
he comment period ends on March 13, 2023. Questions and public comments on the document can be emailed to wqs-implementation-nutrients-
