Review of State Water Quality Control Plans and Policies for Water Quality Control

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has commenced the Review of State Water Quality Control Plans and State Policies for Water Quality Control (Review of State Plans and Policies). State water quality control plans and policies for water quality control (State Plans and Policies) contain water quality standards and other provisions established by the State Water Board to preserve and enhance California’s waters to safeguard human health, support aquatic ecosystems, improve the quality of water resources, and protect beneficial uses of waters.

Triennial reviews are conducted pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.) and its implementing regulations, and periodic reviews are conducted pursuant to the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Wat. Code, § 13000 et seq.). (Refer to 33 U.S.C. § 1313(c)(1), 40 C.F.R. § 131.20(a), Wat. Code, §§ 13143, 13170, 13170.2, subd. (b), 13240.) The State Water Board will be conducting triennial review and periodic review in a single combined proceeding.

In addition to reviewing State Plans and Policies, the Review of State Plans and Policies will include consideration of the federally promulgated water quality standards for California (40 C.F.R. §§ 131.36, 131.37 and 131.38) and the Clean Water Act section 304(a) recommended criteria.

The Review of State Plans and Policies will help engage the public and interested persons to identify potential changes or additions that will help to guide the State Water Board’s priorities for future amendments to the State Plans and Policies to include new or revised water quality standards that are enforceable for the waterbodies for which they are established.