Toolkit of Resources to Assist States with Adopting and Implementing Numeric Nutrient Criteria
This toolkit compiles U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resources to facilitate state adoption of numeric nutrient criteria. It includes information on:
- water quality criteria and standards development;
- water quality monitoring, assessment, reporting, and planning;
- permitting, WQBELs, and trading;
- economics and financing; and
- communications, outreach and educational materials.
The EPA will update this toolkit as new resources are developed.
The agency has also compiled information on states' and territories' progress in adopting numeric nutrient criteria as well as state nutrient data, respectively.
- State Progress Toward Adopting Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria for Nitrogen and Phosphorus
- Nutrient Indicators Dataset
Water Quality Criteria and Standards Documents
- Actions to Help States Address Barriers to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Implementation (2012-2014) (pdf)
- Preventing Eutrophication: Scientific Support for Dual Nutrient Criteria Fact Sheet (pdf)
- Guiding principles for integrated nutrient criteria (bioconfirmation)
- Guiding Principles on an Optional Approach for Developing and Implementing a Numeric Nutrient Criterion that Integrates Causal and Response Parameters (pdf)
- Webinar: Guiding Principles for Developing and Implementing a Numeric Nutrient Criterion That Integrates Causal and Response Parameters (“Bioconfirmation”) (pdf)
- Expert Workshop: Nutrient Enrichment Indicators in Streams
- Multiple discharger variance FAQs (pdf)
- Nutrient Criteria Development Documents
- The EPA's Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Nutrients
- Water Quality Standards Handbook
- Water Quality Standards Federal Regulations
- Stressor–Response Guidance for Nutrient-Based Criteria
- Technical support compendium for numeric nutrient criteria
- “What is a new or revised water quality standard under Clean Water Act Section 303(c)(3)?” - FAQs
Water Quality Monitoring, Assessment, Reporting and Planning
- AQUATOX Simulation Model
- Impaired Waters and Nutrients
- Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source Pollution
- Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment
Permitting, WQBELs, and Trading Guidance
- Nutrient Removal Study Dashboard in the Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology (SCOWT)
- Case study of four wastewater treatment facilities in the Assabet River watershed who upgraded operations to meet phosphorus limits (pdf)
- Emerging Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and In-plant Wet Weather Management
- Municipal Nutrient Removal Technologies Reference Document (pdf)
- Compliance Schedules for Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations
- Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) Water Pollutant Loading Tool
- Case Studies on Implementing Low-Cost Modifications to Improve Nutrient Reduction at Wastewater Treatment Plants
- Nutrient Control Design Manual (pdf)
- Nutrient Control Design Manual: State of Technology Review Report (pdf)
- Nutrient Removal in Lagoon/Pond Treatment Systems, EPA ORD (pdf)
- First Stop Toolbox for Lagoons
- Ammonia WQS Variance Tools for Small Communities with Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Systems
- Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers
Economics/Financing
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
- Compendium of Clean Water Act financing
- Cost Data Associated with the Impacts and Control of Nutrient Pollution: Report and Spreadsheet Tool
- USDA Farm Service Agency Grants and Loans
- Water Pollution Control Program Grants (Clean Water Act Section 106)