FLORIDA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

FLORIDA WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

Current Designated Uses

Class I Drinking WaterClass II ShellfishClass III Recreation, Fish &WildlifeClass IV Agricultural Water SuppliesClass V Industrial

Natural Waters

Artificial Waters

Designated Uses Classification Structure

Current Designated Uses

Class III Class III

Prohibition of Toxics and NuisanceNo Change

NutrientsConductivity

Dissolved Oxygen

pHColor

Bacteriological

Flood Control

Planned Treatment

Works

Start Start

End

Clam Bayou

Lake Seminole

Start

End

Treatment Options

Artificial Waters

Proposed Aquatic Life Use Classifications

• AL1 Fish & wildlife (approximates natural background)• AL2 Fish & wildlife (minimal difference from

natural background)• AL3 Fish & wildlife (moderate difference from

natural background)• AL4 Fish & wildlife (substantial difference from

natural background – usually related to hydrology and habitat)

Proposed Human Use Classifications

• HU1 Drinking Water• HU2 Shellfish• HU3 Fish Consumption & Recreation (full body

contact)• HU4 Fish Consumption & Recreation (incidental

body contact)• HU5 Fish Consumption & Limited or No

Recreation (unsafe physical conditions)• HU6 Agricultural• HU7 Industrial

Modifying Designated Uses

How can a waterbody’s use be modified?The Federal Clean Water Act requires an analysis of water quality, biology, hydrology, and habitat, and possibly social and economic studies, to determine the highest attainable condition.

Use Attainability Analysis FactorsClean Water Act

40 CFR 131.10(g) allows States to remove a designated use which is not an existing use, as defined in § 131.3, or establish sub-categories of a use if the State can demonstrate that attaining the designated use is not feasible due to:

Natural Water Quality Natural Hydrology (i.e., routinely goes dry) Human Alteration that cannot be remedied (channelization) Dams, Diversions: Hydrologic Modifications Natural Physical Limitations Achievement of “Best Possible” Causes “Widespread

Economic and Social Impact

UAA ProcessRequestor submits

petition to DEP

DEP reviews and evaluates petition

If approved, DEP presents to ERC for

adoption

DEP holds a workshop for public review and

comment

If adopted DEP sends to EPA for approval

Point of public input

Point of public input

Point of public input

Frequently Asked Questions1. Can a use be downgraded or removed just because a

criterion is not being met? 2. Are Use Attainability Analyses used only to lower

protection under the water quality standards?3. Can an existing use be downgraded?4. Can cost of additional treatment to meet water quality

criteria be factored into the decision to modify a use?5. Does lowering the designated use of a water compromise

protection of downstream waters?6. Does lowering the use eliminate the need for local source

controls? 7. Does lowering the use allow new or expanded discharges?