1 Nevada Bureau of Water Quality Planning Nevada Water Quality Standards 2011

2 Water Quality Standards Nevada Water Quality Standards   NAC 445A.119 – 445A.225   These NAC numbers will change

3 Clean Water Act Objective – “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters” Objective – “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters” Goal – attain fishable and swimmable conditions wherever possible Goal – attain fishable and swimmable conditions wherever possible - protect public health and welfare, enhance quality of water and meet the purpose of the Clean Water Act Purpose - protect public health and welfare, enhance quality of water and meet the purpose of the Clean Water Act

4 Clean Water Act 1) Designated beneficial uses 2) Criteria to protect beneficial use 3) Antidegradation provision (RMHQ) KEY ELEMENTS - of Water Quality Standards

5 Municipal or domestic supply Municipal or domestic supply Irrigation Irrigation Watering livestock Watering livestock Propagation of aquatic life (coldwater, warm water fish) Propagation of aquatic life (coldwater, warm water fish) Propagation of wildlife Propagation of wildlife Enhancement of water quality Enhancement of water quality 1) Beneficial Uses, NAC 445A.122 Nevada Water Quality Standards

6 Industrial Supply Industrial Supply Waters of extraordinary ecological or aesthetic value (Lake Tahoe) Waters of extraordinary ecological or aesthetic value (Lake Tahoe) Recreation involving contact with the water (swimming) Recreation involving contact with the water (swimming) Recreation not involving contact with the water (boating) Recreation not involving contact with the water (boating) Beneficial Uses (continued) Nevada Water Quality Standards

7 Existing uses Existing uses Public concerns Public concerns Desired potential uses Desired potential uses Factors in Designating a Beneficial Use Nevada Water Quality Standards

8 Numeric values which protect uses Numeric values which protect uses Utilize sound scientific rationale Utilize sound scientific rationale Criteria are guidelines in establishing standards Criteria are guidelines in establishing standards Other criteria may be used (NDOW) Other criteria may be used (NDOW) Natural conditions Natural conditions 2) Criteria for water quality Nevada Water Quality Standards

9 Nevada Revised Statute 445A.565 requires that any surface water whose quality is higher than the applicable standards must be maintained in their higher quality Nevada Revised Statute 445A.565 requires that any surface water whose quality is higher than the applicable standards must be maintained in their higher quality 3) Antidegradation Nevada Water Quality Standards

10 1) Narrative, applies to all surface waters 2) Toxics 3) Class waters – Phase out 4) Designated waters Types of Standards Nevada Water Quality Standards

11 Applies to all surface waters in Nevada regardless of beneficial use Applies to all surface waters in Nevada regardless of beneficial use Waters must be “free from” Waters must be “free from”  Floating debris, oil and grease  Toxic and corrosive compounds  Radioactive materials  High temperature, etc. 1) Narratives, NAC 445A.121 Nevada Water Quality Standards

12 Applies to Designated (and Class) waters Applies to Designated (and Class) waters Specific list of metals, pesticides and other chemical compounds Specific list of metals, pesticides and other chemical compounds Municipal and Domestic Supply, Aquatic Life, Irrigation, and Livestock Watering Municipal and Domestic Supply, Aquatic Life, Irrigation, and Livestock Watering 2) Toxics, NAC 445A.144 Nevada Water Quality Standards

13 Class “A” through “D” Beneficial uses specified by class Numeric criteria specified by class Waterbodies listed by counties 3) Class waters, NAC 445A.124 – 127 (We have changed the class waters structure and created a table for each waterbody) Nevada Water Quality Standards

14 Specific lakes or river reaches Specific lakes or river reaches Individual water quality standards Individual water quality standards Requirements to Maintain Higher Quality (RMHQ) Requirements to Maintain Higher Quality (RMHQ) Main Stem - Humboldt, Truckee, Colorado… - Class waters Main Stem - Humboldt, Truckee, Colorado… - Class waters 4) Designated Waters, NAC 445A Nevada Water Quality Standards

15 Physical characteristics (confluence) Physical characteristics (confluence) Changing land uses Changing land uses Beneficial uses (fish species) Beneficial uses (fish species) Reaches - Class and Designated Nevada Water Quality Standards

16 Nevada Water Quality Standards Waters that have standards Waters that have standards  Rivers  Perennial Streams Waters that we do not set standards Waters that we do not set standards  Ephemeral streams – generally not  Springs (safe drinking water)  Stock watering/irrigation canals

17 Target a Basin/Water or an Issue (toxics) Target a Basin/Water or an Issue (toxics) Meet with stakeholders Meet with stakeholders NDEP proposes water quality standards and/or standard revisions NDEP proposes water quality standards and/or standard revisions Public workshops conducted Public workshops conducted Public comment received and reviewed Public comment received and reviewed State Environmental Commission State Environmental Commission Submittal to State Legislative Committee and the AG’s Office Submittal to State Legislative Committee and the AG’s Office EPA for approval EPA for approval Adoption Process Nevada Water Quality Standards

18 Thank You BUREAU OF WATER QUALITY PLANNING Bureau Chief Kathy Sertic- (775) WATER QUALITY STANDARDS John Heggeness - (775) SPECIAL PROJECTS /TMDL COORDINATOR COORDINATOR Randy Pahl - (775) NEVADA DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Bureau of Water Quality Planning 901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 4001 Carson City, Nevada fax(775)