San Diego Region - Clean Water Act Section 305(b) Surface Water Quality Assessment and Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments

The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires States to assess water bodies (Section 305(b)), as well as identify and make a list of those surface water bodies that are polluted (Section 303(d)). For this assessment, water bodies that do not meet water quality standards are referred to as "water quality limited segments.” States are required to compile these water bodies into a list, referred to as the "Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Water Quality Limited Segments" (List) every two years. States must also prioritize the water bodies on the list and develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) or comparable restoration plans to improve the water quality. States are allowed to report on all their assessed water bodies under section 305(b) and those listed as impaired under section 303(d) in a single "integrated report."

The "Water Quality Control Policy for Developing California's Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List" (Listing Policy) is the policy for the State and Regional Water Boards to follow when developing updates to the List. This policy describes the process by which the State and Regional Water Boards comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act in developing the List. In California, Regional Water Boards rotate in the development of their integrated reports, with Regional Boards divided into fixed groups of three. Every two years, the integrated report reflects the analyses of all available data and information from surface waters within the boundaries of a single group of three Regional Water Boards, which are referred to as being “on-cycle.” Data from the other Regional Boards may be reviewed at a Regional Board’s discretion for “off-cycle” assessments. State Water Board is now the lead for the integrated report public processes, including board hearings, and Regional Water Boards no longer conduct individual board meetings and public comment periods. Public documents and information for all integrated reports and mapping may be found on the State Water Board Surface Water Quality Assessment Program webpage. An introductory program fact sheet is also available. San Diego Region specific information is found below.

The most current Integrated Report for the San Diego Region is 2020-2022. The region will be on-cycle next for the 2028 Integrated Report.

2028 Clean Water Act Sections 303(D) and 305 (B) Integrated Report:

2020/2022 Clean Water Act Sections 303(d) and 305 (b) Integrated Report:

Historical Integrated Report Cycle Information

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