Water Quality Standards Regulations: New York

Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state.

The EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", the EPA has made a reasonable effort to identify parts of the standards that are disapproved or are otherwise not in effect for CWA purposes. Additionally, please note the documents may also contain provisions that the EPA does not have the authority and duty to act on under the Clean Water Act because the provisions are not water quality standards.

• What is a New or Revised Water Quality Standard Under CWA 303(c)(3)? - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) (108.04 KB)

• State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
• Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

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State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes

• Section 1: Water Quality Regulation (pdf) (2.55 MB)
  (Effective December 20, 2024) Surface Water and Ground Water Classifications and Standards.
  Note: These regulations contain additional provisions related to groundwater that are outside the scope of the Clean Water Act and the implementing federal regulations, but are included here as supplementary information.  Please note that not all provisions are effective for Clean Water Act purposes (refer to cover page for more information).
  • Express Terms for Sections 701.26, 701.27, and 703.4 (pdf) (3.76 MB) (Effective December 20, 2024) Express terms for sections 701.26, 701.27, and 703.4 of New York’s Water Quality Regulations that are not yet incorporated into Section 1 above. Please see notations within the Section 1 document above, this document, and the December 20, 2024 Action Letter for provisions that are effective for Clean Water Act purposes.
  • Action Letter: Approval of New York's new "wet weather" designated recreational use subcategory at 6 NYCRR 701.26(a) - dated 12/20/24 (pdf) (215.48 KB)
• Section 2: Division of Water Technical and Operational Guidance (1.1.1) (pdf) (3.57 MB)
  This document provides a compilation of ambient water quality guidance values and groundwater effluent limitations for use where there are no standards or regulatory effluent limitations.
• Section 3: Division of Water Technical and Operational Guidance (1.1.3) (pdf) (143.59 KB)
  This document provides the technical reference for the calculation of a site-specific standard or guidance value for the protection of aquatic life.
• Section 4: Division of Water Technical and Operation Guidance (1.1.4) (pdf) (528.82 KB)
  This document provides detailed procedures for the derivation of Bioaccumulation Factors.
• Section 5: Division of Water Technical and Operation Guidance (1.1.5) (pdf) (425.22 KB)
  This document provides detailed procedures for deriving ambient water quality standards and guidance values for the protection of wildlife.
• Section 6: Division of Water Technical and Operation Guidance (1.3.1) (pdf) (331.45 KB)
  New York State Provisions for Mixing Zones.
• Section 7: Division of Water Technical and Operation Guidance (1.3.9) (pdf) (518.59 KB)
  This document provides supplementary guidance associated with the implementation of the NYSDEC 1985 Antidegradation Policy.
• Section 8: Amendment to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (pdf) (201.94 KB)
  This MOA ensures that variances granted under 6NYCRR Part 702.17 are consistent and as protective as those which would be issued under the Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance.
• Section 9: Water Quality Antidegradation Policy (pdf) (264.97 KB)
  This document presents the policy by which the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) protects water quality against degradation.
• New York State Water Classifications 6NYCRR Parts 800-941
  The classifications of all water body segments in New York State are contained in 6NYCRR Parts 800-941. These classifications are descriptive designations assigned under state regulations to all waters in the State, defining the best way each body of water can be used. The classification is the legal basis for water quality protection programs.
  Effective dates for these classifications (for Clean Water Act purposes) are documented in  EPA review of New York State Water Classifications 6NYCRR Parts 800-941 (pdf) (147.74 KB)

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Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards

• Proposed Federal Recreational Water Quality Criteria Applicable to Certain Waters in New York
• 40 CFR § 132 - Water Quality Guidance for the Great Lakes System