Water Quality Standards Regulations: Oregon
- Michelle Maier
(503) 326-6994
Information
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.
State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes
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Oregon Water Quality Standards (pdf)
(Effective March 12, 2021) State regulation establishing water quality standards for surface waters of the state. Please note that not all parts of this document are effective for Clean Water Act purposes. Refer to cover pages for more information.
Federally Proposed or Promulgated Standards
- Final Rule - Aluminum Aquatic Life Criteria Applicable to Oregon Fresh Waters (December 30, 2020)
- 40 CFR §131.46 Aquatic life criterion for cadmium in Oregon
Selected Actions and Correspondence
EPA's recent actions along with supporting documents are provided below for reference.
March 12, 2021 - The EPA approved Oregon’s new and revised water quality standards establishing Outstanding National Resource Water protections for Crater Lake, Klamath Basin, and Waldo Lake and its associated wetlands in the Willamette Basin, after finding that the state’s submittal is consistent with the Clean Water Act and its implementing regulations.
November 17, 2017 - The EPA approved revised bacteria water quality standards that Oregon submitted to the EPA on September 7, 2016.
January 9, 2017 - EPA approved revised acute and chronic aquatic life criteria for freshwater copper that Oregon submitted to the EPA on November 14, 2016.
August 4, 2015 - The EPA approved revised water quality standards adopted by Oregon on January 7, 2015. The revised standards include freshwater aquatic life criteria for ammonia, correction of the pH standard for the main stem Snake River, amendments to Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 340-041-0310 and OAR 340-041-0315, and numerous editorial revisions.
April 11, 2014 - The EPA finalized action on revised aquatic life criteria adopted by Oregon on December 12, 2013.
September 19, 2013 - The EPA approved a provision that allows Oregon to exempt certain "recurring activities" from state antidegradation review requirements, as it applies to nonpoint sources of pollution. The approval was in response to a January 7, 2013, court order from the federal District Court for the District of Oregon, which required EPA to take action under the Clean Water Act on the provision.
August 8, 2013 - In response to a federal district court order, the EPA disapproved Oregon’s natural conditions criteria for temperature and statewide narrative natural conditions criteria, and reviewed the non-binding portions of Oregon’s antidegradation implementation methods. The court order did not affect the existing numeric, biologically-based temperature criteria, which remain in place.
- EPA's Disapproval of Oregon's Natural Conditions Criteria for Temperature, and Statewide Narrative Natural Conditions Criteria (pdf)
- Review of Non-binding Portions of Oregon's Antidegradation Implementation Methods (pdf)
January 31, 2013 - The EPA finalized action on new and revised aquatic life criteria for toxic pollutants submitted by Oregon in July 2004, as amended by its April 2007, and August 2011, submissions.
- EPA's Action on Oregon's New and Revised Aquatic Life Criteria for Toxics (pdf)
- EPA Clean Water Act 303(c) Determinations On Oregon's New and Revised Aquatic Life Toxic (pdf)
- Enclosure 1: Aquatic Life Criteria Submitted by Oregon (pdf)
- Enclosure 2: Supplemental Technical Support Document (pdf)
- Enclosure 3: Responses to Supplemental Comments (pdf)
- Enclosure 4: Aquatic Life Criteria in Effect in Oregon for Clean Water Act Purposes (pdf)
October 17, 2011 - The EPA approved revised water quality standards for toxic pollutants in Oregon based on a fish consumption rate of 175 grams/day.
- EPA's Approval of New and Revised Human Health Water Quality Criteria for Toxics (pdf)
- Technical Support Document for EPA's Action on Oregon’s New and Revised Human Health Water Quality Criteria for Toxics (pdf)
June 1, 2010 - The EPA finalized action on new and revised human health criteria for toxics in Oregon, and revisions to narrative toxics provisions.